EPO, JPO, USPTO discuss co-operation in the digital environment

The heads of the European Patent Office
(EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO) and United States Patent and Trademark Office
(USPTO), known as the Trilateral offices, held their 39th annual meeting in the
form of videoconference today (7 December), hosted by the JPO. At the meeting,
EPO President António Campinos, JPO Commissioner MORI Kiyoshi, and USPTO
(Performing the functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, Office of the Under Secretary
and Director) Drew Hirshfeld, discussed the outcome of their recent meeting with
the Trilateral industry associations, reviewed the digitalisation of procedures
at each office and spoke about the possibility of future Trilateral co-operation
on Intellectual Property (IP) and environmental issues.

Today’s meeting was preceded by a virtual Trilateral Heads with Industry meeting on
16 November, where the heads of office came together
with industry associations from the three regions. At this meeting, the Trilateral
offices reaffirmed the importance of working closely with industry to identify
new ways to improve the patent procedure for the benefit of users and society
at large, and industry provided crucial feedback to the offices on how to
further support applicants through the digitisation of procedures. Trilateral
industry representatives also expressed their hopes for possible future co-operation
between the Trilateral offices on IP and environmental issues.

Among the topics discussed were the
differences in electronic procedures amongst the patent offices, and ways that
IP can facilitate innovation to address environmental problems. Looking ahead,
the Trilateral offices confirmed their intention to strengthen co-operation,
showcase the benefits of IP in addressing global challenges, and continue
engagement with stakeholders.