EUIPO and ARIPO Collaborate to Strengthen Trade Mark Examination Skills Across Africa

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) leads the charge in creating capacity and modernisation amongst trade mark examiners and IP agents of ARIPO.  Indeed, EUIPO, organised a three-day comprehensive training session on trade marks for examiners and IP agents of 22 African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) Member and Observer States in partnership with the ARIPO. It follows EUIPO’s continued effort to foster intellectual property (IP) innovation and cooperation across Africa in the framework of AfrIPI, an EU-funded IP cooperation project.

The event, titled ‘Technical Training on Trade Marks for Examiners and Engagements with IP Agents,’ took place from 3-5 September 2024, at ARIPO’s secretariat in Harare, Zimbabwe. It aimed to enhance trade mark examination practices and promote the use of advanced IP tools in the region.

The event included in-depth presentations on the ARIPO trade mark system, workshops on special trade mark categories, case studies, and discussions on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain. EUIPO experts led sessions on various topics ranging from examining unique and non-traditional trade marks to relative grounds for refusal and cancellation procedures.

One of the key highlights of the event was the introduction of European Union Intellectual Property Network (EUIPN) tools, such as TMclass, and TMview (developed under the management of EUIPO). These tools are designed to improve efficiency, access to information, and the quality of trade mark search and examination outputs in IP offices. By sharing these advanced solutions, EUIPO aims to bolster ARIPO Member States’ capacity to address the challenges posed by divergent trade mark examination practices.

In addition to technical sessions, the event featured engaging roundtable discussions, insightful case studies, and practical exercises, allowing participants to actively exchange experiences and explore solutions to common challenges in trade mark registration. The training also provided a unique opportunity for networking among trade mark examiners and IP agents, fostering greater cooperation in IP protection across Africa.

This event marks another milestone in ARIPO and EUIPO's ongoing collaboration, strengthening Africa's trade mark systems. As the EUIPO prepares to implement its Strategic Plan 2030 (SP2030), which focuses on optimising operational efficiency, enhancing the value of IP services, and promoting innovation-driven economic growth, this partnership plays a crucial role. The shared goals of fostering competitiveness and supporting sustainable development across both regions align with the strategic objectives of the SP2030, ensuring that IP systems continue to evolve and benefit economies globally.