​​EPO and EUIPO renew their co-operation for 2024-2025

​​The new work plan between the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) reaffirms the two organisations' commitment to enhance the effectiveness of the European IP system,  improve accessibility for users, promote a modern IP culture in Europe, and achieve stronger protection for European businesses abroad.​

EPO President António Campinos has formally approved the EPO-EUIPO work plan 2024-2025, following its endorsement by EUIPO Executive Director João Negrão. The plan confirms the organisations' commitment to build on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2019 and previous work plans. 

Promoting the value of IP through joint studies

Following last October’s launch of the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology, the work plan defines new and ongoing co-operation with its counterpart at the EUIPO, the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights, in particular in the area of joint IP studies and other areas where synergies can be identified, such as green technologies, IP education and diversity and inclusion topics. This will build on last year’s achievements, including the EPO-EUIPO joint study entitled “Patents, trademarks and startup finance”, which focuses on the role of IP rights in helping Europe’s startups to access finance. 

Raising awareness, driving education

The EPO’s European Patent Academy and EUIPO’s Academy will co-operate closely in providing joint IP trainings. They also foresee collaboration within the Network of IP Academies, which includes partner universities of the Pan-European Seal Programme and the national IP offices too. Joint implementation and expansion of the Pan-European Seal Young Professionals Programme will also continue. Meanwhile, co-operation on projects in Africa, Latin America and Asia will include promoting the benefits of the EPO’s validation system.

Exchanging best practices

Other areas of co-ordination between the two offices in 2024 and 2025 include IT projects, AI-related initatives, user data management, IP awareness and business support, with each office's expert working groups liaising on a variety of technical topics. Regular exchanges will continue on best practices in areas such as data protection, as well as with regard to the EUIPO-led Anti-Scam Network, which takes measures against senders of misleading invoices or other payment requests to users of the IP system. Far-reaching co-operation on IP communication activities and campaigns will also forge ahead within the Communication Correspondents Network, which comprises the EPO, EUIPO and national offices throughout the EPO’s 39 member states.

The new work plan’s ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of a harmonised and high-quality IP environment in Europe and beyond, in line with the priorities of the EPO’s new strategic plan (SP2028) under Driver 4: Partnerships.