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Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to patent information
Patents Office staff represent Ireland on the Administrative Council of the EPO, its various Committees, and several of its technical and liaison committees which deal with various issues concerning intellectual property. In addition, staff participate in meetings of governing and technical bodies of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
The EPO offer alternative routes to obtaining IP protection in Europe and the Office’s involvement with these organisations is aimed at ensuring that Irish interests are appropriately represented, at keeping abreast of best practice at an international level and to facilitate collaboration with other national and international industrial property offices.
The Office partakes in cooperation programmes with the EPO under which it receives assistance towards participation in various IP awareness raising events, specialist IP training and ICT projects to facilitate IP data exchanges. Our participation also facilitates dialogue on the content and structure of cooperation programmes between those organisations and other national IP Offices in Europe which in turn enables the Office to further enhance or develop its customer services in line with best inter-national practice.
Assistance to developing countries
The Irish Office continues to have an informal programme of cooperation with various countries, including a number of developing countries.
Other activities
Nothing further to report.
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