Promotion and integration into EUIPN IT tools

Following the Tools Workshop in June 2022, a preliminary feasibility analysis was conducted by AfrIPI and EUIPO, and African IP Offices were examined on the basis of their technological capability to implement the tools and of expressed interest.

The next step in the promotion and integration of African IPOs into EUIPN tools requires a series of interventions, including feasibility studies, pilot implementation, capacity-building for IT staff on using the tools, and promotional activities for users through follow-up workshops. AfrIPI will also arrange meetings with the middle management of national and regional IP offices to ensure buy-in, identify areas of interest in IT cooperation matching the EUIPO’s portfolio, and foster follow-up by the offices. Ideally, on-site meetings will be held with key stakeholders of the IPOs.

Based on the above findings, offices will be clustered and prioritised based on shared criteria. A road map will be developed detailing African IPOs interested in integrating in which tool, and by when.

The tools that will be offered to the IPOs are TMView, DSView, TMClass, DSclass, and the e-filing system (linked with the Harmonised Database of Goods and Services). Furthermore, the EUIPO can share best practices on data quality and data governance, digitalisation and IT security.