On 18 February 2022, ECTA and EUIPO held a virtual Bilateral Meeting to discuss topics of interest to ECTA’s members such as:

• New SME programme and functioning of the SME Fund;
• Blockchain and sustainable development;
• EUIPO European Cooperation and Convergence projects – particularly concerning trade marks filed in bad faith and trade marks contrary to public policy and morality;
• Impact of the recent CJEU rulings on the office practice;
• Use of HDB by EU Member States’ IPOs;
• Various issues related to the use of the EUIPO User Area, filing evidence, using links in communications and other technical points.

The EUIPO delegation, composed of 20 officials, was headed by Christian Archambeau (Executive Director), while ECTA was represented by Anette Rasmussen (President), Anna Ostanina (Head of Legal Affairs), Benjamin Fontaine (EUIPO-Link Committee Chair), Monique Granneman (EUIPO-Link Committee Vice-Chair), Cristina Bercial-Chaumier (EUIPO-Link Committee Secretary), Maria Antonella Incardona and Fabio Angelini (EUIPO-Link Committee Members).

ECTA is grateful to the EUIPO for the open and constructive dialogue and looks forward to continuing the fruitful collaboration.