EPO steps up co-operation with Colombia
The EPO has signed a Reinforced Partnership agreement with the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce of Colombia.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by EPO President António Campinos and Colombia's Superintendent of Industry and Commerce Andrés Barreto during a virtual meeting yesterday.
"I am very pleased to intensify our co-operation with Colombia, one of Latin America's largest and most dynamic economies," said President Campinos. "International co-operation, innovation and creation will play a pivotal role in helping governments to overcome the current crisis. This agreement will not only improve the quality and efficiency of handling patent applications, which is key as Colombia moves to strengthen its knowledge economy, but will also help align our patent systems to better support the global technology market."
Under the MoU, over the next five years the Superintendence will be able to make use of the EPO's work products, tools and practices when granting national patents. The agreement aims to strengthen our co-operation in the provision of efficient, high-quality patent procedures and in support to local innovators, whilst improving market access for European companies who wish to protect their inventions in Colombia.