In the period 3-4 May, representatives of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) participated in the Patent Information Conference entitled “PATLIB 2016”, which was held in Helsinki, Finland.

Organized traditionally by the European Patent Office (EPO), the current edition of the Conference was held with the support of the Office of Patents and Registration of Finland and was devoted to representatives of national patent offices of the EPO Member States and representatives of patent information centers, which are often referred to as “PATLIB centers”.

The event brought together over 200 participants from 37 countries, including representatives of countries that are not member states of the European Patent Organization, such as Cuba, Georgia, Montenegro and Moldova.

The conference was opened by Benoît Battistelli, President of the EPO, who noted the impressive presence of participants and noted that the EPO attaches great importance to support PATLIB network that serves both the public interest and the European patent system by promoting a favorable climate for innovation. As a point of contact for companies and inventors locally, PATLIB centers play a crucial role in providing information and services relating to patents, added the President of the EPO.

In turn, Rauni Hagman, Director General of the Finnish Office of Patents and Registration, host this event, emphasized the importance of patent information to promote innovation and economic development of countries.

The conference program included plenary sessions with participation of international rapporteurs and small informational workshops with various themes: the need for cooperation agreements as a means of enhancing the quality and visibility of PATLIB centers, the role of consultation granted to inventors, PATLIB services oriented towards the support for financing innovation creation of an environment for success by viewing and evaluating intangible assets in the knowledge-based organizations, etc.

EPO supports the PATLIB centers through national intellectual property offices in cooperation with the 38 member states. This support aims to expand the range and quality of services offered to users through training and tools provided to PATLIB staff.

Currently, there are over 300 patent information centers spread at regional level within Member States of the EPO. PATLIB centers provide access to patent information and related matters. Employees of the centers are familiarized with economic and industrial activity and offer services to entrepreneurs, SMEs, individual inventors, and students. PATLIB centers can also offer practical assistance regarding other intellectual property rights.