IP Fridays - your intellectual property podcast about trademarks, patents, designs and much more Rolf Claessen and Ken Suzan

In this interview with Rolf Claessen on the IP Fridays podcast, João Negrão, the executive director of the EUIPO, discussed the office’s recent developments and future plans. Negrão highlighted the conclusion of the consultation phase for the EUIPO’s 2030 Strategic Plan, emphasizing key areas such as financial sustainability, efficiency, effectiveness, and the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. He noted the challenges posed by political and economic volatility and the expansion of EUIPO’s competencies, including geographical indications.







Negrão addressed the potential new role of the EUIPO in handling non-binding essentiality checks for standard essential patents (SEPs), should the proposed regulation be approved. He assured that the EUIPO would adapt to these new competencies using a project management approach. The interview also covered the EUIPO’s new mediation center for IP disputes, launched in November 2023. Negrão explained that while mediation and conciliation have been offered by the Boards of Appeal since 2011, the goal is to expand these services to first-instance proceedings to provide cost-effective and timely alternatives to traditional dispute resolution.







Celebrating the EUIPO’s 30th anniversary, Negrão reflected on its growth from a small office to an organization with 1,200 staff members, protecting almost five million trademarks and designs. He cited significant achievements, including the establishment of the Observatory on IP Infringements. The conversation touched on the DesignEuropa Awards, now held annually, which recognize excellence in design across various categories, including industry, small and emerging companies, lifetime achievement, and young designers. These awards aim to promote the design system and celebrate outstanding work. You can apply here:







https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/designs/designeuropa-awards/how-to-apply







Negrão discussed the EUIPO’s new competence in geographical indications for craft and industrial products, aimed at protecting local products, promoting quality recognition, and supporting local producers and regions in Europe. He also highlighted the EUIPO’s expanding international cooperation with countries like Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, aiming to harmonize IP systems globally and support European businesses by ensuring robust, predictable IP systems in these regions.







Finally, Negrão outlined his personal goals for the EUIPO, emphasizing his desire to use his extensive experience to contribute to the office’s further development. He aims to focus on strategic planning, cooperation with national and international IP offices, and addressing issues such as IP infringements and the underrepresentation of women in the IP system. Overall, the interview underscored the EUIPO’s efforts to improve the IP system, embrace new competencies and technologies, and support stakeholders through effective implementation and international cooperation.







Key Takeaways:









* EUIPO’s Strategic Plan:



* The consultation phase for the 2030 Strategic Plan closed recently.







* Key focus areas include financial sustainability, efficiency, effectiveness, and leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.







* The EUIPO aims to address challenges such as political and economic volatility and expanding competencies, including geographical indications.

Meet us for the 10th Anniversary in Atlanta in the 20th May 2024 at 6 pm! We only give away 20 tickets so it will be a very exclusive event! Reserve your ticket here!







https://ipfridays.com/meetup

We are celebrating the 10th birthday of our podcast IP Fridays! Join us in Atlanta on Monday evening, the 20th May 2024 and meet us in person! Details will be posted on our website ipfridays.com and on social media!  We had started the podcast at the 2014 INTA Annual Meeting in Hongkong so we thought it would be a good idea to celebrate the 10th anniversary also during an INTA Annual Meeting!







In this episode of the IP Fridays podcast, we were joined by three experts from Wisdom International Patent and Law Office in Taiwan: founder George J.H. Huang, patent attorney Sandy Huang, and international affairs manager Zoe Kwong.







The discussion began with an overview of the latest guidelines for computer software patents in Taiwan, which now require that the software significantly utilizes hardware resources to be eligible for patent protection. This marks a departure from older guidelines and incorporates elements from Japanese regulations.







The experts also compared patent eligibility criteria between Taiwan and China, noting significant differences. In China, the focus is on using technical means to solve technical problems according to natural laws, which can often lead to challenges in proving the technical nature of inventions, particularly those that might be considered as business methods or mathematical rules.







Moving to trademarks, it was noted that Taiwan operates under a “first to file” system and does not require evidence of use at the time of application. This is particularly important for overseas applicants to understand, as early filing can prevent issues with trademark squatting. Taiwan does not participate in the Madrid Protocol, so international applicants must file directly in Taiwan.







Recent legislative updates were also covered, highlighting the new accelerated examination process for trademarks in Taiwan, which can significantly shorten the registration timeline. However, this process is best suited for clear-cut cases, as complex or disputed marks may still face lengthy examinations.







The episode concluded with a look at changes to the trademark agent system in Taiwan, which now requires agents to pass an exam and undergo annual training to ensure they maintain a high standard of professional knowledge.







Overall, the podcast provided a comprehensive look into the intellectual property landscape in Taiwan, offering key insights and strategic advice for navigating patent and trademark issues in the region.







Here is the full transcript:







We have three guests today on the IP Friday’s podcast from Wisdom International Patent and Law Office, a law firm located in Taiwan. They are Mr. George J.H. Huang, Ms. Sandy Huang, and Ms. Zoe Kwong.







George J.H. Huang is the founder of Wisdom International Patent and Law Office. Having over 27 years of experience in the intellectual property field, George is skilled at handling patent, trademark, and design matters, from drafting and prosecution to cancellation opposition and other contentious work. George has also been individually ranked and recognized as a recommended individual in the IAM Patent 1000, the WTR 1000, and the Asia IP Rankings. He is the author of two Japanese books, Taiwan Trademark Practice Guide and Taiwan Patent Practice Guide, which are highly praised by in-house counsels and critics.







Sandy Huang graduated from the National Taiwan University with a master’s degree in chemical engineering. She is a registered patent attorney and her practice focuses on patent drafting, prosecution, disputes,

Clemens Heusch















Interview with Vice President and Head of Global Litigation and Disputes at Nokia Clemens Heusch – Patent Battle Nokia vs. Oppo – Unified Patent Court – Standard Essential Patents at the EUIPO – Episode 150 – IP Fridays

Celeste Butera















Challenges Enforcing Trademarks Online and Cybersquatting – Interview with Celeste Butera – UPC Caseload – USPTO AI Guidance – IP Fridays – Episode 149







Celeste Butera Profile

Interview With the Very Busy UPC Judge András Kupecz – Get the Perspective of a Judge at the Unified Patent Court – EU Lawmakers Vote for Rules Setting Up a Body at the EUIPO To Set SEP Royalty Rates – IP Fridays – Episode 148