Tbilisi hosting EU-funded seminar to strengthen patent attorney system amid ongoing reforms

The Georgian capital city of Tbilisi is hosting an international seminar, funded by the European Union, that aims to enhance the system of patent attorneys within the ongoing domestic reforms led by the country’s National Intellectual Property Centre, the body said on Wednesday.

Running between Wednesday and Thursday, the seminar, titled Reform of the Qualification System of Patent Attorneys in Georgia is focusing on strengthening intellectual property rights across the country, as well as in Moldova and Ukraine, through the EU4IP regional project.

Collaborative efforts of the EU Intellectual Property Office and Georgia's Intellectual Property Centre aim to implement the domestic reform of the patent attorney system and elevate Georgia’s intellectual property protection standards to those of the bloc.

Throughout the seminar, participants have been engaging in discussions on patent attorney qualification examinations, preparatory courses, and continuing professional education standards. Special emphasis has been placed on EU patent attorney qualification models, including  examination content, format, and assessment systems, the national body said.

Experts from Poland and Latvia have participated in the event alongside professionals from the  body. The seminar also saw participation from the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia, the National Assessment and Examinations Centre, the High Council of Justice of the country, and the Training Centre of Justice of Georgia.

Contributions were made remotely by Yann Basire, the Director of the Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies and Jacob Kofoed, the Chair of the European Qualifying Examination Board, along with officials from Ukraine and Moldova’s intellectual property offices.