03/11/2020
The Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) and the Egyptian Patent Office (EGPO) are working hand in hand to improve the Egyptian patent system
Specialists from the Information Technology department of the OEPM together with the EGPO staff
The twinning project between the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) and the Egyptian Patent Office (EGPO), a twinning funded by the European Union (EU) and managed by FIIAPP, continues to make progress in achieving its objectives.
Component two, aimed at the cooperation and coordination of SMEs, is promoting an innovative development of the private sector with the aim of increasing opportunities to generate employment and establish a personalised first-line information service for potential users such as chambers of commerce, universities or business intermediaries.
In this way, the twinning project is working with the Egyptian Patent Office to develop an intellectual property strategy targeting SMEs and based on EU standards. In addition, among other tools, a methodological guide on patent protection and a brochure on intellectual property rights for SMEs have also been developed.
On the other hand, component 3 of the project: “EGPO systems and procedures reviewed and updated in accordance with EU standards” has, among others, the objective of helping the EGPO to obtain an electronic system to perform various procedures. From registration of requests, to electronic payment and its follow-up, as well as to approve and reject revised, applied and improved inventions. Through this component, we are working together with the EGPO to obtain ISO 9001 certification, the international standard that specifies the requirements for a quality management system. Organisations use this standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet user and regulatory requirements.
To carry out this work, two specialists from the IT Department of the OEPM travelled to Cairo and have developed training sessions and daily meetings with the participation of the EGPO IT Department staff. During this mission, the OEPM and EGPO have had the opportunity to share common experiences and review the different existing platforms used in OEPM and other patent offices, to submit a patent application electronically, an exercise that will help EGPO to develop its procedures.
