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Mandatory use of electronic Applications for Action (eAFAs) as of 3 October 2024

As per Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2399, starting 3 October 2024, right holders and their representatives must submit electronic Applications for Action (eAFAs) to customs exclusively through the IP Enforcement Portal (IPEP) or national portals in Germany, Italy, and Spain.

These portals will be the sole platforms for filing and managing (amending, extending, or withdrawing) AFAs. Right holders who haven’t transitioned to these portals should do so promptly, as the acceptance of paper AFAs by Member States will soon end.

Legal representatives can access IPEP via a ‘legal representative’ account, linked to a rights holder's account. They can also manage multiple rights holder accounts (detailed instructions for legal representatives are available here).

To find out more, please read here.

ECTA Meetings with the European Commission

Yesterday, ECTA took part in a number of in-person meetings with relevant DGs of the European Commission (DG GROW, DG TRADE, DG AGRI), to discuss important topics on the IP agenda in Europe at this moment, such as:

• EU Patent Package
• Ongoing trade negotiations, agreements, dialogues and cooperation projects;
• IP future plans and initiatives in relation to SMEs;
• New Regulation EU 2024/1143 for agri GIs and other initiatives affecting GIs;
• and many other topics of interest to our members and related to ongoing projects within various ECTA Committees.

The meetings were attended by ECTA President Carina Gommers; First Vice-President Paola Ruggiero; Second Vice-President Benjamin Fontaine; Secretary General Julien Scicluna; Treasurer Jordi Güell; Head of Legal Affairs Anna Ostanina.

EUIPO-CPVO Joint Seminar: "30 Years of Incentivising Innovation" in Alicante and Online (19 September 2024)

We are pleased to inform ECTA members about the upcoming EUIPO-CPVO (Community Plant Variety Office) joint seminar titled "30 Years of Incentivising Innovation" scheduled for 19 September 2024, in Alicante and online.

The seminar will delve into key topics such as IP strategies and their influence on the Single Market, the future of IP in the context of AI, the impact of new legislation and the challenges of counterfeiting.

Experts from private practices, plant breeding, and public administrations will share insights on how intellectual property rights can contribute to sustainability and create positive impact in society.

This event also marks the 30th anniversary of both the EUIPO and the CPVO, celebrating thel role of IP in fostering innovation.

For more information and to register, please click here.

Register for the ECTA Workshop in Seville ‘Make Up or Break Up? AI and IP: The Future of Our Profession’ (11 October 2024)

Register for the ECTA workshop ‘Make Up or Break Up? AI and IP: The Future of Our Profession’ in beautiful Seville (onsite only) on 11 October 2024 (16.00-18.00)!

With the rise of AI, significant changes are expected in how IP professionals operate. Join us to hear from experts how IP legal teams can successfully navigate this evolving ecosystem and understand the impact of AI in the IP world. More information on the programme will be shared in the coming weeks.

The participation fees are as follows:

• 30,00 € (excl. VAT) for members who are not registered for the ECTA Autumn Meeting;
• 50,00 € (excl. VAT) for non-members;
• Free of charge for officials, full-time students, full-time professors.

A certificate of attendance will be sent upon request after the event.

(If you are a Supervisory Board or Committee member registered for the ECTA Autumn Meeting, you do not need to register separately for the workshop as it is included in the event!)

AI ACT ENTERED INTO FORCE

The AI Act has come into force.

As the first-ever legal framework on AI, these new rules are designed to foster trustworthy AI in Europe and beyond, ensuring that AI systems respect fundamental rights and ethical principles, while addressing AI-related risks.

To learn more, please read here