JPO and EUIPO Strengthen Cooperation on Generative AI and Examination Quality

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) welcomed on 4-5 March a delegation from the Japan Patent Office (JPO) for a series of bilateral meetings aimed at aligning strategies on emerging technologies and quality management. The event brought together experts and leadership from both offices to exchange best practices on the rapidly evolving landscape of intellectual property.

A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to Generative AI, including updates on the latest developments in IT tools utilized by examiners, evolving guidelines and policies regarding AI-generated content in trade mark applications, as well as the  impact of Generative AI on current IP frameworks.

The partners also strengthened their alliance on initiatives concerning IP data forecasting and mediation by comparing forecasting methods and their expected results, and exchanging on the added value of alternative dispute settlement in resolving cross-border IP disputes. 

Some sessions discussed Quality Management. Both offices shared statistics and strategies to improve examination quality, training programs for examiners and the overall management of examination workflows. The JPO delegation also visited the EUIPO’s collaborative examination workspace and reviewed EUIPO’s new Early TM Screening tool. This standalone pre-assessment tool is designed to help users identify potential issues with prospective trade marks before formal filing, a move aimed at streamlining the application process.

The meeting concluded with discussions on advancing the TM5 collaboration forum and the EU-Japan IP Action project—an EU-funded initiative designed to jointly shape the global IP protection and enforcement landscape while supporting the international expansion of EU and Japanese companies.