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President of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office meets with heads of offices at the margins of the WIPO Assemblies

Press release, 10 July 2023

Munich/Geneva. The President of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) Eva Schewior met with the heads of the world’s largest patent and trade mark offices and of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) at the margins of the WIPO Assemblies in Geneva. The heads of offices discussed, among other issues, options to strengthen the international intellectual property ecosystem (IP system) and to further enhance support for small and medium-sized enterprises. “The largest national patent office in Europe and the fifth largest national patent office in the world, the DPMA plays a major role when it comes to strengthening and developing the international IP system”, the President of the DPMA said. “We aim to fulfil this role with determination and in cooperation with our international partners.”

During the discussions, DPMA President Eva Schewior, WIPO Director General Daren Tang and WIPO Deputy Director General Hasan Kleib emphasised their shared awareness of the importance of Artificial Intelligence as well as climate change for the international IP system. The Director General of WIPO announced his intention to visit Germany at the end of this year or in the beginning of next year. His trip will include a visit to the DPMA for some discussion rounds. Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Justice as well as of the German Permanent Mission to WIPO also participated in the meeting.

The Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Kathi Vidal and DPMA President Eva Schewior compared notes on the respective strategies of the two offices. Furthermore, the two heads of offices conferred on possible ways to support the innovation landscape in the United States and in Germany and talked about current European Union legislation.

During DPMA President Eva Schewior’s meeting with the Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office Koichi Hamano, the cooperation between the two offices in the field of digitisation was highlighted. Other topics covered were substantive patent law harmonisation and the associated importance of national patents as well as sustainable patent applications. The heads of offices emphasised their intention to continue and deepen the established close cooperation. Among other things, they indicated that the examiner exchange, on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is supposed to be re-established to this effect.

DPMA President Eva Schewior also agreed with Dr Insil Lee, Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office, to take up the patent examiner exchange again. Additionally, the heads of offices discussed current technological trends and strategic questions.

The Commissioner of the National Intellectual Property Administration of China Dr Shen Changyu and DPMA President Eva Schewior agreed to continue the examiner exchange in an online format. The long-standing cooperation was highlighted by both parties.

Further meetings at the margins of the WIPO Assemblies were held with the Canadian and British offices. There was an exchange about „New Work” with the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office Konstantinos Georgaras, in particular about new ways of working that allow for flexibility in location and in time management as well as new work space designs, and about the offices’ experience in this regard. Further topics included the strengthening of awareness of intellectual property and ways to determine customer satisfaction using data. Adam Williams, Chief Executive and Comptroller General of the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office, and DPMA President Eva Schewior deliberated measures to reduce the backlog in pending patent applications. The two offices seek an agreement on an enhanced partnership and the establishment of an exchange of information on patent quality. Experts from both parties are meant to meet on the matter soon.

During her visit to Geneva, DPMA President Eva Schewior also met with representatives from the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. It was the first ever meeting at senior management level between the two offices. There was also a meeting with the delegation from Kyrgyzstan.

The German Patent and Trade Mark Office

Inventiveness and creativity need effective protection. The DPMA is the German centre of expertise for all intellectual property rights – patents, utility models, trade marks and registered designs. The largest national patent office in Europe and the fifth largest national patent office in the world, our office stands for the future of Germany as a country of inventors in a globalised economy. Its staff of just under 2,800 at three locations – Munich, Jena and Berlin – provide services for inventors and companies. They implement federal innovation strategies and develop the national, European and international protection systems.

Pictures: DPMA/Ralf Wimmer

Last updated: 8 February 2024