Ukrainian Intellectual Property Institute now operating as a shelter amid Russian aggression, EPO says
The European Patent Office, which considers applications for patents across the continent, has pledged to help protect patent data in Ukraine and offer secondments for Ukrainians in light of the ongoing Russian invasion.
On 11 April, the EPO said that its president, António Campinos, had met with Andrew Kudin, director general of the Ukrainian Intellectual Property Institute, Ukrpatent, the previous week to discuss ways in which the European body could provide support.
Their meeting followed a move by the EPO to freeze its activities with Russian counterparts after the conflict began in February.
According to the EPO, Ukrpatent is currently being used as a shelter for staff members and families of the organisation. Vast swathes of homes and civil infrastructure in Ukraine have been destroyed by Russian missiles during the weeks of bombardment, with thousands of civilians thought to have lost their lives.
The EPO agreed to provide IT support to enhance data security at the Ukrainian office, in addition to other technical assistance.
“Furthermore, an HR programme will explore the possibility of offering secondments of Ukrpatent staff to the EPO,” the European office said. “A dedicated team will now push forward to explore the joint actions further, as agreed between the heads of office.”
Campinos added: “In these difficult times, every one of us in the office feels Ukrainian.”