European-wide cooperation improves e-services in IP
PRH’s electronic services for trademarks and designs are developed together with EUIPO in a network of collaborative IP tools. Cooperation has proved advantageous to all parties.
In 2012, IT-specialist Francisco Ríos López came to Alicante to conduct a three-month project at the European Union Intellectual Property Office, EUIPO. Numerous tasks later he nowadays manages collaboration projects with national and regional IP offices to create better electronic services in handling trademark and design applications.
Francisco Ríos López, EUIPO
As PRH has participated in nearly a dozen projects by the years, Ríos is a familiar figure in Helsinki. After the COVID-19, live meetings are again possible, but he has noticed that organising a 5-day mission of several persons to a national IPO is more complicated than before.
"Things changed during the pandemic. Now people, taking advantage of virtual environments, tend to be involved in many things at the same time."
Working groups are the core of collaboration
A new development project begins by setting up a working group comprising experts from interested IP offices and EUIPO. Smiling, Ríos admits that cultural specifications sometimes pose challenges in multinational projects − starting from the scheduling of regular meetings: the first thing to check up is the usual working hours in each country.
"The group first defines what the future system will look like, then we offer the possibility for piloting. Usually, there is no surplus of candidates, because of the lack of resources or they do not have the necessary basis as regards baseline systems", Ríos says.
Senior legal officer Turkka Vaahtolammi from PRH lists the benefits of piloting: the IPO can influence the content of the future service, be the first to have it in operation, and its personnel gain experience in international cooperation. Also, the contribution given to the project is compensated by EUIPO.
Ríos reminds that the new products must be adapted to the national needs and legislations even after the pilot phase.
"It is impossible to have a full standard procedure for over twenty different laws and practices. If we are not flexible, there will be no cooperation at all!"
PRH is actively engaged in cooperation
The establishing of the Cooperation Fund in 2010 gave a boost to collaboration. PRH and a few other national offices were chosen to pilot an extensive development programme. Its ”Back office” part focused on administering national and international trademarks whereas the ”Front office” comprised improved web services. Finnish customers welcomed the reform.
At present, PRH is piloting the latest amendment, ”Front Office 3.0”, which is expected to be in operation in summer 2023.
In addition, PRH is a pilot office in a new project “Integrated Multiple Assessment Solution” (IMAS), which will not only support the examination of trademarks and designs in the national and regional IPOs, but also serve as a useful source of information for its clients.
"PRH has proved an efficient and proactive partner with advanced IT technology. Moreover, the office is flexible when problems arise", Ríos says.
Original text in English: Päivi Helander
Photos: EUIPO