The Directors General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) launched the updated Trilateral Study on Access to Medical Technologies and Innovation.

While the first edition in 2013 aimed to explain the interplay between the dimensions of health, trade and intellectual property and how they influence innovation and medical technologies, the second one is a revised and evidence-based edition, to better support policy debate at a critical time for world health.

WIPO Director General Francis Gurry in a video message emphasized the relevance of the interdisciplinary cooperation amongst these three specialized agencies and pointed out: “The COVID-19 pandemic is showing the need for health, trade and innovation policy to come together to provide the answers that we need to confront this huge challenge for humanity”.

In particular, the second edition provides practical lessons from experiences regarding the interplay between health, trade and IP within the perspective established by the human rights dimension of health and the SDGs. Among other new topics, the updated study covers the antimicrobial resistance and cutting-edge health technologies, provides updated data on innovation trends in the pharma sector, trade and tariff regarding medical products, as well as developments in IP legislation and jurisprudence. It also includes an updated overview of access to medical technologies and key provisions in regional trade agreements.

Due to the current global health crisis, the study starts with a COVID-19 section and factual overview of the developments and measures taken in this regard.

The EUIPO has recently joined the WIPO Digital Access Service (DAS) for Registered Community Designs (RCD) as a First Filing or Depositing Office. Later in the year, the EUIPO will also be participating as an Office of Second Filing.

The DAS is an electronic service managed by the WIPO, which allows priority documents to be easily exchanged between the 26 participating IP Offices, including USPTO, CNIPA, JPO and KIPO. Therefore, all ID5 Offices have by now deployed the system.

Thanks to DAS, applicants no longer need to request and submit certified paper copies from one Office to another. They simply have to request the First or Depositing Office to make documents available to the system and ask Accessing or Second Filing Offices to retrieve them electronically. The burden on applicants is significantly reduced and priority documents are electronically exchanged between the Offices in a fast and secure way.

EUIPO Guidelines have also recently been updated to reflect this new service.

To find out more please click here.

Check out the new WIPO Trade Mark Webinars, which will be held in English on 4 and 12 August 2020 with the opportunity to interact live with WIPO experts. The webinars are free of charge and intended for brand owners, attorneys, inventors and innovators, students, other IP specialists and practitioners.

4 AUGUST 2020 (5:30/6:00 pm CEST)

WIPO Global Brand Database Webinar: Practical Cases

During this Webinar, attendees will learn more about the latest developments of the Global Brand Database, and how to search for brands, including practical cases and tips.

Register here

12 AUGUST 2020 (5:30/6:00 pm CEST)

WIPO webinar: Overview of the newly released Vienna Classification Assistant

Participants will be provided with an overview and explanation on how to use the Vienna Classification Assistant.

Register here

In view of the very positive feedback of the first two editions, with the participation of more than 100 IP practitioners from 26 EU Member States, the EUIPO has launched the third edition of its Trade Mark and Design Education Programme (ETMD EP).

The Education Programme, which is held annually, is focused on the interaction between the EUIPO and IP practitioners in trade mark and design registration and prosecution. The purpose is to help the participants to better support their EU business and, in doing so, strengthen the related registration systems managed by the EUIPO.

The third edition starts in September 2020 and will last until June 2021. The training will be delivered in English by leading IP professionals, academics and EUIPO staff, through face-to-face and e-learning sessions.

This year the course will last 150 hours and offer 60 seats. Registration closes on 31 July 2020 and ECTA encourages its members to enrol and take part in the Programme.

For more information about the programme, please visit the ETMD EP website.

ECTA is honoured to continue to be closely involved in this important Programme by participating actively on its Steering Committee, Examination Board, and in the collective of trainers, and contribute to its success.