On Friday, February 23rd, the Latvian Patent Office (LPO) hosted the European Union Intellectual Property Office's (EUIPO) regular annual technical visit, during which the results of previous collaborations and future activities were discussed, including the implementation of projects in the field of intellectual property protection.
Special recognition by EUIPO representatives was given to the LPO for the professional and active involvement in the implementation of joint projects, including activities aimed at educating target groups, promoting understanding of intellectual property (IP) protection, and improving service delivery.
LPO Director Agris Batalauskis presented the projects implemented or initiated in 2023, which aim to enhance customer service in the User Area, as well as to improve internal technological processes that are crucial for LPO experts in their daily work and gathering client information and are closely related to enhancing the quality of services provided to clients.
Agris Batalauskis states: "Such technical visits are valuable not only for exchanging information on implemented projects and future plans, but also for discussing more complex issues together and explaining to the EUIPO colleagues why certain projects have a particular approach. However, all activities have one goal - to raise awareness in society about the importance of intellectual property protection and to improve the quality of services we provide."
The EUIPO delegation was informed about public education and awareness-raising activities and projects targeting specific groups, including European Authenticity project, seminars for IP professionals, and the support fund for SME enterprises, "Ideas powered by business."
A. Batalauskis mentioned working towards integrating IP protection issues into the educational programs of general education schools and higher education institutions in the nearest future, thus introducing residents to these issues at an early stage.
EUIPO representatives highly appreciated the LPO's active role in educating society, providing not only public campaigns but also participating in events organized by other organizations and arranging seminars for target groups. The involvement of two Latvian cities - Liepaja and Daugavpils - in joining the European Authenticity City network was particularly praised. The expertise and readiness of LPO experts in EUIPO-organized events and initiatives were also highly valued.
During the technical visit the EUIPO representatives provided information on the development of the EUIPO Strategic Plan for 2030, future projects to improve services in national offices, the potential use of artificial intelligence, and the development of blockchain projects.
Representing the LPO during the visit were Director Agris Batalauskis, Deputy Director and Director of the Administrative and Financial Department Ēriks Rēķis, Head of the Insurance Department Arnis Dmitruks, Director of Trademarks and Designs Department Baiba Graube, Chief Expert Ilze Korte, Chief Expert Laima Daugavvanaga, Development and International Cooperation Department Director Ilze Grava, Deputy Director Terēze Vētra, Project Manager Māra Vilciņa, Public Relations Specialist Ella Pētermane, and Senior Officer Vineta Sondore.
The EUIPO was represented by the Director of the Institutional and Cooperation Department Sandris Laganovskis, European Cooperation Service Representatives Agis Theodorakeas, Joana De Moura, Dorine van Woerden, Kristina Vilkiene, Samantha de la Cueva, Baltic States Coordinator Aleksandrs Maksimenkovs, and Project Manager Vladimirs Siļins.