7/11/2022
In Egypt, about 2,000 patents are applied for each year, a rather low number considering the population of about 100 million. The FIIAPP has led a project to promote the number of patented innovations
The project “Supporting and improving the institutional, technical and awareness-raising capacities of the Egyptian Patent Office”, which has been supported by the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM), is coming to an end. The aim of the project, which is part of the “EU Inclusive Growth and Job Creation Facility”, has been to enhance Egyptian scientific research through a better use of the patent system based on the EU acquis, experience and exchange of best practices. In this way, it has contributed to the improvement of the country’s economy by making patenting in Egypt more attractive, especially in the scientific community.
During 28 months and through more than 40 missions and 2 study visits, numerous results have been achieved. Among them, the Egyptian Patent Office (EGPO) obtained the ISO9001:2015 Certification for its improvement and compliance with quality management requirements, with the aim of facilitating its competitiveness and promoting its internationalisation.
The project leader, Javier Vera, highlighted the role of the SPTO in the project: “the SPTO has led 3 components, which have involved an impressive volume of activities over two years with a multitude of missions, normally with 2 experts in each one, lasting 1 week”.
Regarding the results, the field expert, Pedro Cartagena, indicated that a series of informative materials on the patent system have been produced for SMEs and researchers to inform them and raise their awareness of the importance of the patent system. In addition, 52 patent examiners have been trained to train new examiners and to give seminars to SMEs and researchers. Working manuals for different departments and units of the Egyptian office have also been developed. Cartagena also recalls that 17 employees of the Egyptian office have been trained to act as Quality Management Systems Auditors.
The project has had a significant presence of women in the Egyptian office. Not only have all the activity components been led by Egyptian women, but a large number of the participants in the different activities have been women.
The project culminates with the expected results, achieved thanks to the support of the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ) and the Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DKPTO), both partners of the consortium led by FIIAPP.
