Adoption of EUIPN common practices in Armenia: capacity building on trade mark registration and examination

Target Country: Armenia
IPR area: Trade marks

The European Union Intellectual Property Network (EUIPN) brings together the National IP offices and User Associations to cooperate and harmonise practices and standards. Jointly, they identify areas of trade mark and design practice where convergence would be most beneficial for network stakeholders. They work to agree on implementing common principles based on relevant Court decisions and on disseminating the best practices of each of the IP offices. In doing so, they seek to create a European IP system that is more efficient, predictable and accessible to its stakeholders.

Despite being under a common framework and the same regulations, EU IP offices and those abroad do not always apply the same practices during the registration life cycle of a trade mark. Achieving approximation of practices between IP offices has become a top priority for IP User Associations, both within the EU and beyond European borders. Since 2011, the Convergence Programmes have joined the EUIPO and User Associations to reach common ground and practices.

This activity aims to enhance the quality, consistency and transparency of the work undertaken by the Armenian Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) on the substantive examination of trade marks. A key aspect is for AIPO to approximate its trade mark practices, creating a practical training tool for trade mark examiners and the Office’s users.