Sakpatenti with the Support of the European Union is Working on Improvement of the Appeal System

Within the EU Georgia Intellectual Property Project (EUGIPP), a seminar took place in Tbilisi Holiday Inn Hotel, aimed to improve the activity of the Chamber of Appeals functioning at the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia – “Sakpatenti”. Sakpatenti is working actively on adopting the recent international practice of fast and effective dispute resolution and on improvement of the work of the Chamber of Appeals, which will have a positive impact on the development of the business and scientific fields, as the activity of the Chamber of Appeals is directly linked to both fields. For business fast and fair resolution of disputes related to trademarks and designs is essential, and for the scientific circles – effective resolution of disputes related to their inventions and utility models. 

During the seminar held on April 20, 2023, which was organized by Sakpatenti and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the EUIPO practice and experience were considered regarding the main directions introduced in the organization, structure and methodology of the EUIPO’s Boards of Appeal. At the meeting the EUIPO’s Boards of Appeal contribution to the consistent and coherent application of the EU trade mark and design law: Grand Board of Appeal, rules of procedure, consistency circles and Consistency reports were highlighted. 

During the meeting the activity and procedural aspects of Sakpatenti Chamber of Appeals were also discussed. On the basis of the comparative analysis between the two models and identification of the main gaps, proposals and recommendations were drafted to approximate the practice of Sakpatenti Chamber of Appeals to EU standards.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Soso Giorgadze, Chairman of National Intellectual Property Center, Ms. Ketevan Khutsishvili, Programme Manager for Rural Development, Civil Protection and Crisis Management of the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, as well as Mr. Martin Marianov, EUGIPP Project Leader, who joined the seminar virtually and addressed the event participants. 

EUGIPP is the EU Georgia Intellectual Property Project, aimed to support and strengthen the intellectual property system in Georgia. The project is ongoing since 2020 and on the part of the European Union is implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The project main beneficiary is the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia – “Sakpatenti”.