The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) administers the EU Trade Mark and Design rights, applicable throughout the EU. These rights complement national intellectual property (IP) rights and are linked to international IP systems. Since 2012, EUIPO has been responsible for the EU Observatory on the Infringement of Intellectual Property Rights and the Orphan Works Database.

What it does

On average, the Office receives and examines over 150,000 trade mark and 90,000 design applications annually. It also encourages convergence of practices among EU countries' IP offices through the European Union Intellectual Property Network's cooperation activities. User-friendly IP tools are used for this purpose.

Through the Observatory, the Office brings together a wide-reaching network of stakeholders, to raise awareness of IP infringement issues via studies, projects and tools. EUIPO also manages the Orphan Work Database, providing digitised access to public information on literary, cinematographic or audiovisual works, pictures and photographs.

Structure

EUIPO is a decentralised EU agency. It cooperates closely with the European Commission and its Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW).

It has legal, administrative and financial autonomy over staffing and budgetary matters.

EUIPO is governed by a Management Board and Budget Committee, comprising:

• 1 representative per EU country
• 1 representative from the European Parliament
• 2 representatives from the European Commission.

EUIPO’s Boards of Appeal are independent bodies which handle appeals against decisions taken in the course of IP proceedings.

How it works

In close cooperation with EU IP offices and user associations, EUIPO has set up the European Union Intellectual Property Network which enables members to share technical expertise and helps establish shared practices. The Network thus ensures EU-wide interoperability between procedures, systems, services and tools, such as databases and web-based platforms.

Outside the EU, EUIPO implements EU-funded projects designed to strengthen IP protection systems globally, together with several international partners.

EUIPO also works closely with other international IP organisations to raise awareness of intellectual property rights protection, through training programmes and other joint activities. These organisations include:

• the European Patent Office (EPO)
• the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Who benefits

IP rights are essential for economic activity and growth. They provide significant value to their owners and the wider economy. EUIPO aims to make its services accessible and easy to use, so as to create synergies within and beyond the EU with its partners and stakeholders:

• the users of IP registration systems, particularly small & medium-sized businesses
• EU & non-EU IP offices
• user associations
• other international bodies in the IP field.