10 September 2014
EPO President Battistelli congratulating Josef Kratochvíl, President of the Czech Industrial Property Office, on the 95th anniversary of the office
In bilateral meetings with Minister Mládek, the EPO President underlined the constructive and efficient co-operation between the EPO and Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic.
Speaking at a conference on IP in Europe organised on the
occasion of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the
office, Mr Battistelli said: "The setting up of the patent office in
Prague in 1919 was a decisive step in the creation of a modern system of
industrial property protection in this region and the office should be congratulated
on this landmark anniversary."
The President of the Czech Industrial Property Office, Josef Kratochvíl, said:
"An effective patent system is one of the crucial elements of competitiveness. In
this context, optimal balance of interests of individual groups of users is
particularly important. We must not forget either small- and medium-sized
enterprises or persons that are not involved in patenting: the technical
information disclosed in patents is a key tool for their business that is beneficial
to society."
In the meetings, Mr Battistelli also addressed the unitary
patent, and the positive economic impact this is expected to have on Czech
industry.
"The
unitary patent system will make the protection of innovation cheaper and more
accessible, especially for small businesses in Europe," said Mr
Battistelli. "The continued co-operation between the EPO and the Czech IP
office will help ensure the success of the new patent," he said.
The EPO and Czech IP office are implementing a range of joint activities including professional training, qualification of professional representatives, strengthening of patent-related services to industry, patent awareness and improvement of patent information tools and services.
The Czech Republic has been a member of the European Patent Organisation since 1
July 2002. Last year the EPO received 291 patent filings from Czech companies
and inventors, an increase of 26.5% over 2012.
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