Workshop on Trade Marks and Designs Examination Practice

In IP Key LA’s 2018 work plan, Trade Mark and Design examination practices were the focus of two sub-regional workshops implemented in Central America and the Andean Region – where offices of all Latin America participated. This facilitated discussions on EU and Latin American best practices, in the examination of trade marks and designs by IP Offices.

Based on the success of these workshops, a new regional workshop was held on May 16 and 17 in Santiago, Chile, together with INAPI. The activity revolved around case studies, which served to encourage IP offices to identify and discuss their respective practices in the process of brand and design examination in various areas of action. This was also possible thanks to the participation of EUIPO experts, who shared the experience of the EU convergence program, which leads to a common EU practice, agreed by all European IP national offices and EUIPO.

Emilie Scheffer, IP Expert, said about this event: “The workshop was a breeding ground for exchanges on trade mark and design examination practice and a great opportunity to share the experience of the creation, the development and the achievement of the Common Practices in the EU. The workshop, combining a friendly and studious atmosphere with the high expertise of the participants, showed how much a ‘hands on’ approach can boost the commitment of each one leading towards a fruitful event and giving space for future and recurrent technical meetings on this subject matter.”