EPO meets with JIPA
On 26 September 2024, representatives from the Japan Intellectual Property Association (JIPA) visited the European Patent Office (EPO) in Munich. As a non-profit, non-governmental organisation with some 1 400 members, JIPA represents industries and users of the IP system.
Led by JIPA Managing Director Eiichiro Yagi, the JIPA delegation met with the EPO to discuss and exchange on JIPA’s initiatives in the areas of sustainability, diversity & inclusion, and international communication. In a further meeting with EPO Vice-President for Legal and International Affairs Christoph Ernst, there were exchanges on the importance of engaging with Japanese users and the uptake of the Unitary Patent among applicants from Japan.
The EPO took the opportunity to record an interview with Mr Yagi, asking him to outline JIPA’s main activities and to share his thoughts on EPO products and services, as well as on the Unitary Patent. Addressing the quality of EPO products and services, Mr Yagi said:
“As an applicant, it is true that sometimes we find the flexibility in amendments during the EPO examination process to be stricter than in other countries. Nevertheless, we fully understand that this rigorous examination process contributes to the high quality of granted patents”.
Regular meetings with user associations strengthen the relationship between the EPO and its partners, promoting collaboration.
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