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24 November 2017Patents

EPO and SIPO renew patent cooperation

The European Patent Office (EPO) and China’s State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) reinforced their collaboration yesterday with the signing of a strategic partnership agreement.

EPO president Benoît Battistelli and SIPO commissioner Shen Changyu signed the agreement, which sets out principles for cooperation in areas including law and policies, the patent granting process, user services, and training.

The agreement, signed in Zhengzhou, reinforces a 30-year-old relationship. It is valid for an unlimited time and will be complemented by annual work plans.

According to a press release from the EPO, this is the first and only agreement of its kind signed by both organisations with other patent offices.

The offices signed a first memorandum of understanding in 1985.

Battistelli said: “The new strategic agreement signed today is a milestone in the history of our relations with China.”

He added that because of the cooperation, the European and Chinese patent granting systems now closely resemble each other, “which greatly benefits innovators in both regions”.

“The new agreement will allow us to explore the vast potential for even closer cooperation, to include new areas such as artificial intelligence and green technologies, and to continue to promote the efficient functioning of the global patent system.”

During what was Battistelli’s visit to China, he took part in a high-level meeting with state councillor Wang Yong, who outlined the main challenges ahead for China with respect to IP.

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