Interview With João Negrão - Executive Director of the EUIPO - New Patent Activities at the EUIPO...

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In this interview with Rolf Claessen on the IP Fridays podcast, João Negrão, the executive director of the EUIPO, discussed the office’s recent developments and future plans. Negrão highlighted the conclusion of the consultation phase for the EUIPO’s 2030 Strategic Plan, emphasizing key areas such as financial sustainability, efficiency, effectiveness, and the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. He noted the challenges posed by political and economic volatility and the expansion of EUIPO’s competencies, including geographical indications.
Negrão addressed the potential new role of the EUIPO in handling non-binding essentiality checks for standard essential patents (SEPs), should the proposed regulation be approved. He assured that the EUIPO would adapt to these new competencies using a project management approach. The interview also covered the EUIPO’s new mediation center for IP disputes, launched in November 2023. Negrão explained that while mediation and conciliation have been offered by the Boards of Appeal since 2011, the goal is to expand these services to first-instance proceedings to provide cost-effective and timely alternatives to traditional dispute resolution.
Celebrating the EUIPO’s 30th anniversary, Negrão reflected on its growth from a small office to an organization with 1,200 staff members, protecting almost five million trademarks and designs. He cited significant achievements, including the establishment of the Observatory on IP Infringements. The conversation touched on the DesignEuropa Awards, now held annually, which recognize excellence in design across various categories, including industry, small and emerging companies, lifetime achievement, and young designers. These awards aim to promote the design system and celebrate outstanding work. You can apply here:
www.euipo.europa.eu/en/design...
Negrão discussed the EUIPO’s new competence in geographical indications for craft and industrial products, aimed at protecting local products, promoting quality recognition, and supporting local producers and regions in Europe. He also highlighted the EUIPO’s expanding international cooperation with countries like Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, aiming to harmonize IP systems globally and support European businesses by ensuring robust, predictable IP systems in these regions.
Finally, Negrão outlined his personal goals for the EUIPO, emphasizing his desire to use his extensive experience to contribute to the office’s further development. He aims to focus on strategic planning, cooperation with national and international IP offices, and addressing issues such as IP infringements and the underrepresentation of women in the IP system. Overall, the interview underscored the EUIPO’s efforts to improve the IP system, embrace new competencies and technologies, and support stakeholders through effective implementation and international cooperation.
Key Takeaways:

1. EUIPO’s Strategic Plan:

• The consultation phase for the 2030 Strategic Plan closed recently.


• Key focus areas include financial sustainability, efficiency, effectiveness, and leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.


• The EUIPO aims to address challenges such as political and economic volatility and expanding competencies, including geographical indications.




2. New Competencies and SEPs:

• The EUIPO may soon handle non-binding essentiality checks for standard essential patents (SEPs) if the proposed regulation is approved.


• João Negrão emphasized that the EUIPO will adapt and implement these new competencies using their established project management approach.




3. Mediation Center:

• The EUIPO launched a new mediation center for IP disputes in November 2023.


• Mediation and conciliation have been offered by the Boards of Appeal since 2011.


• The aim is to expand these services to first-instance proceedings to provide cost-effective, timely alternatives to traditional dispute resolution.




4. 30th Anniversary and Achievements:

• Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the EUIPO has grown from a small office to one with 1,200 staff members, protecting almost five million trademarks and designs.
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