The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has successfully hosted its biannual User Group Meeting (UGM) and Liaison Meetings (LMs) in October, bringing together stakeholders from across the intellectual property (IP) landscape to discuss key issues and contribute to the future of IP in Europe. The outcomes of these meetings help shape the EUIPO's work in the coming months and years, under its SP 20230. The UGM and LMs are part of a close relationship with IP users, which also included, just in October, the Observatory plenary on 30 Sept and 1 October, the Anti-Scam Network on 2 October and a bilateral meeting with APRAM on 20 October.User Group Meeting: taking stock of EUIPO’s engagement with users

At the 39th UGM, which took place on 21 October, IP user associations come together to engage in meaningful exchanges with EUIPO experts. The discussions usually focus on shared  areas of interest,  including EUIPO procedures, practices, and tools – both those currently in place and those planned for future implementation. This collaborative setting provides a valuable opportunity for users to voice their perspectives and contribute to the evolution of EUIPO services.

In October, the meetings covered AI-powered tools, SME initiatives, joint cooperation with virtual communities and IP alliances, design law reform, all reflecting EUIPO’s strategic priorities. Participants got also an overview of EUIPO interactions with the users.

Liaison Meetings: genuine dialogue platform of IP offices and user associations

Following the UGM, the EUIPO hosted the LMs on Cooperation, Trade Marks and Designs on 22, 23 and 24 October respectively. Being the last edition in its current format, LMs gathered more than 140 representatives from national and regional IP offices (including candidate and EFTA countries), user associations, and other stakeholders to review technical, operational and cooperation activities.

This edition mainly focused on the new generation of European Cooperation projects, as revamped and launched under the new EUIPO Strategic Plan 2030, as well as relations with Korea (where EUIPO currently implements the ROKIPA project) and Japan (following a recent visit of EUIPO Executive Director).The meetings also addressed the new craft and industrial geographical indications (CI GIs) system in the EU, which will enter into force on 1 December 2025, and will protect for the first time event CI GIs producers at EU level. Finally, the new Cooperation Board, whose structure will replace LMs in 2026, was presented.

Working together with candidate countries

EUIPO and EUIPN work together with candidate countries before actual enlargements take place. LMs is one of EUIPO platforms and cooperation projects open to candidate countries, so they can get familiarised with EU systems in their path towards the EU accession. In October, UANIPIO (Ukraine national IP office) was represented at LMs by its top manager, Director Olena Orliuk. She took the opportunity to announce together with EUIPO Director João Negrão, the integration of Ukraine into TMview [LINK to news item to be published at EU4IP website].

Source: https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/the-new-ci-gis-system-and-the-use-of-ai-in-ip-examination-at-the-october-user-group-meeting-s-and-liaison-meetings-agenda