On September 10, the Regional Workshop on Financial Sustainability and Fee Reform, organized by the European Patent Office (EPO), was held at the SPTO head offices.

The European Patent Office is a supranational organism responsible for processing and issuing European patents valid in 38 European countries. During its Board of Directors meeting held last March, members decided to organize a series of rotating Workshops on financial sustainability and fee reform, with the objective of informing Regional offices within various countries of its current financing system.

Another Workshop objective is based on exploring political options that allow for the financial sustainability of the current European Patent System. In addition, the effects of patents on the overall economy will be considered as well, including various fee structures and its influence on financial sustainability.

The first of these Workshops was held in Madrid and will be followed by two others to be held in Bucharest ( Romania ) and Riga ( Latvia ).

24 representatives attended the workshop held in Madrid , including the President of the European Patent Office, the General Director of the SPTO and acting President of the Board of Directors of the EPO, as well as Presidents and Directors of the National Offices of Industrial Property of Croatia, Denmark , Holland , Ireland , Iceland , Poland , Portugal , United Kingdom , Switzerland and Turkey .

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