President of the Boards of Appeal, EUIPO, ES

Since 1 April 2021, João has held the position of President of the EUIPO Boards of Appeal.

For the previous 10 years, João was Director of the International Cooperation and Legal Affairs Department of the EUIPO after originally joining the EUIPO as head of the President’s Cabinet in 2010.

Before joining the EUIPO, Mr Negrão held different positions in the Portuguese public administration, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/General Directorate for EU Affairs, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Justice/National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). In 2001, he joined INPI in the international relations cabinet, becoming the Head of Cabinet in 2004. In 2008, he was appointed Director of International Relations and Promotion of Innovation at INPI.

João Negrão holds a Master of Laws Degree in International Law and a University Degree in International Relations. He also has a number of high level qualifications in Public Administration Management (National Institute of Administration), Leadership Management and High Performance People Skills for Leaders (London Business School) as well as IP-related courses, such as a general course on IP (WIPO Worldwide Academy) and a specialised course on the practice and functioning of the IP system in the USA (USPTO).