On 3 March 2022, CarIPI hosted a virtual Consultation Meeting to discuss the study on regional cooperation mechanisms in the field of Industrial Design Law and Practice, previously shared with the CARIFORUM IP Offices.

During 2021, the CarIPI project started to develop a regional GI Manual to serve as a national guide for producers or producer groups, Control Bodies, and CARIFORUM IP Offices. The manual provides guidance regarding the process of developing and implementing codes of practice and controls and registering a Geographical Indication. The draft of the GI Manual was discussed with the interested parties during an online Consultation Meeting on 17 March.

On 21 February, CarIPI organised an online workshop targeted at the 16 CARIFORUM IP Offices to present the Common Practices in Trade Mark Examination. The Practices were aimed at providing guidance for TM applicants and examiners and their use results in increased transparency, certainty, and predictability of the TM examination procedures within the region.

Based on the necessity of assessing the current impact of IPR on the Georgian economy, this study will specifically target the reality within Georgia and will take into account all relevant factors influencing the protection and enforcement of IPR in the country.

Based on the success of previous activities, the EUGIPP will continue to work in the field of education by involving teachers and students of selected Georgian schools to raise their awareness about the importance of IP.

In order to improve the quality of actions taken by enforcement authorities and judges, the cooperation between the different IP practitioners in the country (i.e. judges, enforcement authorities and rights holders) should be intensified.

Based on the necessity of assessing the current impact of counterfeiting and piracy in Georgia, a study will be carried out to analyse the necessity of strengthening IPR enforcement measures, especially in the fields of counterfeiting, e-commerce and (online) piracy.

Sakpatenti already has an online filing system in place and that has prevented it from being greatly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The objective of this activity is to support Sakpatenti in upgrading the current e-filing system by mobilising the necessary IT expertise for the benefit of IP users in the country.

This upgrade intends to provide a more efficient interface for users preventing disruptions while seeking a long-term stable solution for users.

Drawing on the established cooperation with the EUIPO Boards of Appeal, and building on the experience of the seminar on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) held in July 2021, this activity seeks to allow selected Sakpatenti staff to attend specific courses to become certified mediators in the IP field.

These courses will expand the participants’ understanding of the different ADR options for the resolution of disputes in the IP field and will focus on the conduct of mediation and arbitration procedures.

IP pre-diagnostics are one of the key elements in building an SME’s IP strategy. SMEs can benefit from IP experts looking at their business model, products and services, and growth plans and advising them on an IP strategy. This service can help SMEs decide what IPRs to protect, how to develop their IP portfolio if they already have registered rights, and/or how to plan their IP strategy for the future.