Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia 105

Hotels

RADISSON HOTEL OLD TOWN RIGA

4* Hotel offers special room price including breakfast:

Standard SGL BB: 75 eur/ per room/ per night;

Standard DBL BB: 85 eur/ per room/ per night

PROMO CODE: LPO105

Link for booking: https://ej.uz/bookingLPO105

RADISSON BLU ELIZABETE HOTEL

4* Hotel offers special room price including breakfast:

Standard SGL BB: 89 eur/ per room/ per night;

Standard DBL BB: 99 eur/ per room/ per night

PROMO CODE: LPO105

Link for booking:  https://ej.uz/bookingLPO105_2

Venues

Conference

Mazā Ģilde (The Small Guild)

Amatu iela 5, Rīga

Location on map: https://ej.uz/conference_location

The Small Guild is located in the heart of Riga old town, within walking distance from both of the hotels – 4 minutes' walk from Radisson Blue Old Town hotel and 13 minutes' walk from Radisson Blue Elizabete hotel. The location is accessible by car, but only to let people out of the vehicle.

Reception

Mūzikas nams “Daile” (Music House “Daile”)

Krišjāņa Barona iela 31, Rīga

Location on map: https://ej.uz/reception_event

Music House Daile is located on one of the central streets of Riga, approximately 20 minutes' walk from the Radisson Blue Old Town hotel and 7 minutes' walk from the Radisson Blue Elizabete hotel. Tram lines 1 and 6 run along Krišjāņa Barona Street.

Taxi and Transfers from Riga airport

When using taxi services in Riga, please pay close attention to the tariffs indicated on the back doors of the taxi. Please also take into account that there are no maximum tariffs per kilometer for taxi services in Riga, as well as for boarding fees and time spent. Thus, we recommend before entering a taxi to make sure whether or not you are prepared to pay the sum requested by the driver.

If taking a taxi from the airport, you are not obliged to take the first taxi in line but can choose to ride any other taxi.

The mobile application Bolt is also widely used in Riga, which you can use to call a taxi and immediately find out the cost of the marked route.

Two licensed taxi brands, "XTaxi" and "TaksiLV," serve the airport. More information about licensed taxi service providers: https://www.riga-airport.com/en/taxi-service

Other ways to comfortably get from/to the Riga airport:

• By Lux Express shuttle - https://luxexpress.eu/en/routes/airport-shuttle/
• By public transport - https://www.riga-airport.com/en/public-transport You can learn how to buy bus tickets using the link https://mobilly.lv/en/electronic-tickets-of-rigas-satiksme/

FAQ about best transport options and prices can also be found on the airport's website: https://www.riga-airport.com/en/transport-0

 Mr Agris Batalauskis, Director of the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia 

Mr Agris Batalauskis is a qualified lawyer and a legal professional. 
Since 1 February 2022, Mr Batalauskis has held the position of the Director of the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia (LPO).  
On the international level, he has been elected as a member of the Board of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation (EPO). Agris Batalauskis is the Head of the Latvian delegation to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly as well as he represents the LPO and national interests at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the EPO, thereby strengthening the Latvia’s position in the field of intellectual property. 

Agris Batalauskis has been responsible for monitoring and implementing many strategically significant development projects, as well as has represented the interests of the legal sector in various international forums. 

Mr Daren Tang, General Director of WIPO 

Daren Tang has been the Director General of WIPO since 2020. 

Under his leadership, WIPO is working to transform the global intellectual property  (IP) ecosystem into a powerful catalyst for jobs, investments, business growth, as  well as economic and social development for all countries. He is also committed to  ensuring WIPO works to harness the power of IP to provide innovative solutions to  our common global challenges.  

In a world facing geopolitical challenges, economic uncertainty and fast emerging  technologies, DG Tang believes that IP, innovation and creativity serve as a bridge to  connect countries together for the common good for all.

Mr Antonio Campinos, President of EPO

Mr António Campinos took up office as the President of the European Patent Office (EPO) on 1 July 2018.  

He began his career as early as in 1998 in the public administration sector in Portugal in the Ministry of Economy and Innovation as the Assistant to the Deputy State Secretary to the Minister. Before becoming the EPO President, Mr Campinos was the Executive Director of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) from 2010 to 2018. Prior to that, he led the Portuguese National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). 

In 2017, Mr Campinos  was awarded the honorary doctorate for the recognition of his contribution to the intellectual property field by the University of Alicante.  

Mr João Negrão, Executive Director of the EUIPO

Mr João Negrão has held the position of the Executive Director of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) since 1 October 2023. 

Mr Negrão has obtained a high-level diploma in public administration management from the National Institute for Public Administration of Portugal. Before joining the EUIPO, Mr Negrão worked at the Portuguese National Institute of Industrial Property. 

During his more than 10 year-rich service at the EUIPO, João Negrão led the expansion of the EUIPO’s cooperation with national and regional intellectual property offices across EU member states, establishing the European Union Intellectual Property Network. Mr Negrão also contributed to the creation of the Convergence Programme, which harmonizes practices on the EU level, and supervised the expansion of the EUIPO’s international cooperation initiatives. 

Ms Karin Žvokelj, Director of the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office 

Karin Žvokelj is the Director of the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office since March 2022, where she focuses on the role of intellectual property in strengthening Slovenia’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. With a background in international economics and extensive experience in policy, entrepreneurship, project management, and leadership, she works to emphasize the value of IP and balance stakeholder interests. Her mission is to bridge creativity and commerce, empowering ideas to become impactful realities. 

Ms Žvokelj has obtained several accreditations and certificates, including the Standard Skills Certificate for Supervisors, accreditation with the Association of Supervisors of Slovenia, a certificate for mediation, an ECQA certificate for EU project management, and a PRINCE2 Foundation Project Management Certificate. 

Mr James Kelly, Controller of the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland  

Mr James Kelly has been appointed as the Controller of the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland as of 7 March 2022. 

James Kelly is a career civil servant who first joined the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland (IPOI) in 1991, working in various roles for over 15 years. He was a national expert with the European Commission in Alicante working on the establishment of the EUIPO. James Kelly spent 5 years in the Intellectual Property Unit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment where he was responsible for Trade Marks, Designs and IPR Enforcement policy. 

Before his current appointment, Mr Kelly served as an adjudication officer and mediator with the Workplace Relations Commission in the southeast region of Ireland. 

Ms Māra Rozenblate, Leading Expert on European in the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia 

Ms Māra Rozenblate has been working in the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia since the reestablishment of the office in 1992. She is the leading expert on European patents and specialises in patent examination in the fields of pharmacy and biotechnology.  Being intelligent, with high-level erudition, phenomenal memory, and rich knowledge, Ms Rozenblate is one of the most recognizable ‘cornerstones’ of the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia, possessing exceptional knowledge as an expert on patents and supplementary protection certificates.  Māra Rozenblate made a valued contribution, undertaking a big role in Latvia’s accession to the European Patent Convention and the European Patent Organisation in 2005.   

Ms Rozenblate also was one of the leading drafters of the 2007-year Latvian Patent Law, and along with her career path, she has examined more than 1500 patent applications. 

Mr Abderrahim Moumen, Operational Director for Data Communications and Applications at the EPO 

Mr Abderrahim Moumen is an experienced leader in the field of digital technologies. He leads the Directorate for Advanced Mobile and Intelligent Networks, driving innovation and excellence in the patent examination process. Mr Moumen joined the EPO in 2000 as a patent examiner specializing in antennas and microwaves. Over 17 years as an examiner, he developed deep expertise in all aspects of the patent granting process, including search, examination, opposition, and documentation. Throughout his career, he has contributed to numerous strategic initiatives, including quality working groups, external relations, technical training, and international cooperation. 

Additionally, Mr Moumen has been instrumental in strengthening the EPO’s cooperation with EU institutions, particularly in establishing and implementing collaboration between the EPO and the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), reinforcing the EPO’s impact within the European and global patent landscape.

Mr Jānis Rozenblats, VP of Product, Aerones Engineering 

Mr Jānis Rozenblats is a seasoned tech leader and VP of Product at Aerones.com with extensive experience in product innovation and strategic leadership. He has held key roles at Pipedrive and founded Mailigen.com, consistently driving initiatives that foster technological advancement and sustainable growth.  

Ms Solvita Kostjukova, Co-founder and CEO, ALINA LLC

Ms Solvita Kostjukova is a long-term expert in technology transfer, specializing in deep-tech startups and spin-offs. With over 15 years of experience, she has successfully bridged the gap between scientific research and business, founding and leading ALINA LLC, a pioneering cleantech company. Under her leadership, ALINA has developed innovative, sustainable materials for the paint industry, significantly advancing environmentally friendly manufacturing practices. 

She is passionate about educating the next generation of innovators and actively teaches IP strategy and technology transfer as part of PhD programmes, such as the EIT RM PhD BalticTeach School and the Venture Catalysts Program organized by LIAA. Solvita Kostjukova also authored international patents in 33 countries. 

Mr Gatis Mozolevskis, CEO and co-founder of Cellbox Labs 

Mr Gatis Mozolevskis is the CEO and the co-founder of Cellbox Labs, an industrial organ on chip company, focused on more effective pre-clinical drug discovery. Mr Mozolevskis obtained his PhD at the Riga Technical University. His previous experience includes working at hardware startups in the Silicon Valley and Latvia, as well as leading a research lab. Over a few years, his group attracted funding of more than EUR 1.5 million and the company’s staff has grown by more than 10 employees. Additionally, his company has managed equipment upgrade, worth more than EUR 2.5 million.  

Mr Antti Riivari, Director General of the Finnish Patent and Registration Office 

Mr Antti Riivari has been serving as the Director General of the Finnish Patent and Registration Office since March 2017. Mr Riivari merits include sound knowledge of the Patent and Registration Office's area of responsibility, a realistic vision about the Office's role in relation to its operating environment and stakeholders, and a good knowledge of related EU and international issues. He also has strong experience in government development and digitalisation processes. 

In addition to his role at the Finnish Patent and Registration Office, Mr Riivari holds prominent positions in international organizations. He is the President of the European Business Registry Association (EBRA), leading the association's Board of Directors. Furthermore, he has been re-elected as the Chair of the Committee on Patent Law at the European Patent Office (EPO). 

Ms Ilze Grava, the director of  Development and International Cooperation Department at the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia

Ilze Grava is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the public sector. With extensive experience in managing teams and overseeing strategic initiatives, Ilze has been instrumental in promoting intellectual property awareness, education and fostering international cooperation. 
Her previous professional experience includes working in the Latvia’s justice and foreign affairs sector. 
Currently, Ms Grava heads the Development and International Cooperation Department at the Latvian Patent Office, where she is responsible for strategic development, communication, awareness raising and international cooperation on intellectual property matters. Prior to this, Ms Grava led the Intellectual Property Information Centre, ensuring public awareness and promoting access to knowledge in this field. 

Mr Michael Mbogoro, Head of the Technology Transfer Section at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 

Mr Michael Mbogoro has acquired rich experience in Knowledge and Technology Transfer (K/TT), working across diverse regions to help universities, governments, and innovation ecosystems transfer research into societal and economic impact. He has worked with underperforming technology transfer offices (TTOs) to redesign and improve their operational efficiency, standard operating procedures, and performance indicators as well as upskilling their staff. 

At the policy level, Mr Mbogoro collaborates with government ministries as well as innovation agencies to drive systemic change in IP and intellectual asset management and innovation policy, including drafting laws and regulations on innovation. 

Mr Yann Ménière, the Chief Economist at the EPO 

Mr Ménière joined the EPO as Chief Economist in 2016. He leads a team responsible for the preparation of economic studies, patent analytics and digital tools within the EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology. Mr. Ménière was previously a professor of economics at Université Paris Sciences et Lettres where he led the chair on IP and Markets for Technology. He has many years of academic and field experience of issues relating to the economics of patents, innovation, technological change and economic growth. 

Mr Nathan Wajsman, chief economist, the Director of the Corporate Strategy and Foresight Department at the EUIPO 

Dr. Wajsman was named Chief Economist of the EUIPO in May 2011, and additionally Director of the newly created Corporate Strategy and Foresight Department in July 2024.  

Prior to joining the EUIPO, Dr. Wajsman spent 20 years working in the private sector. A stint as a forecasting analyst at an electric utility in Florida was followed by a career in telecommunications and finance industries in the USA and several European countries, including positions with AT&T in the USA and Belgium, Swiss Reinsurance Company in Zurich, and Claranet Benelux, a managed hosting and internet service provider in the Netherlands. 

Ms Līga Žūka, Director of the Innovation Centre at Riga Stradins University

Ms Līga Žūka is the Director of the Innovation Centre at Riga Stradins University (RSU) and the Head of the EIT Health Hub in Latvia. She is actively involved in promoting innovations in healthcare, with a particular focus on the application of robotics technologies. Ms Žūka emphasizes that the use of robots can improve the quality and efficiency of treatments while also reducing the workload of healthcare professionals. 

Mr Māris Būmanis, JSC "Latvijas Finieris" board member

Mr Māris Būmanis has gained work experience in company Latvijas Finieris while undertaking different positions over more than 25 years. Currently, he is the executive board member of this company, responsible for development, research, and innovations. Mr Būmanis obtained engineering education and afterwards a Master's Degree in business administration. Over recent years, Māris Būmanis represents his company and the forestry industry in various forums, explaining the importance/contribution of the forestry industry to national economy and the Baltic/Northern region and their development. Mr Būmanis is a member of the Executive Board of the Association of the Latvian chemical and pharmaceutical industry. 

Ms Līga Brasliņa, Researcher at the University of Latvia, Board Member of InnoMatrix 

Ms Līga Brasliņa is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Latvia, as well as a board member of the market research company InnoMatrix. She holds a Master's Degree in economics from the University of Latvia. 

Her research interests include new product development, sustainability, and innovation strategies. Ms Brasliņa is the author of more than 16 scientific publications. In addition to her academic work, Ms Brasliņa has been actively involved in various studies and projects, including leading research on living and working opportunities in Latvia’s regions as factors influencing remigration.