As a result of the joint efforts of the CP11 Working Group members, MS IPOs, User Associations and non-EU IPOs, the final drafts of both work streams of the CP11: New types of marks – examination of formal requirements and grounds for refusal were approved in the Extended Working Group meetings which took place virtually on 7 and 8 September.

On 21 September 2020, the Romanian State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM) successfully integrated its front office and back office systems. This will allow trade marks and designs filed in the front office to be automatically available in the back office application without any need for manual intervention.

The Greek Trademark Office (GGE), with the support of the EUIPO’s European Cooperation Projects, has implemented several functional enhancements to its Back Office tool.

The Polish Patent Office (PPO), with the support of the EUIPO’s European Cooperation Projects, has upgraded its back office system.

The Executive Director of the EUIPO, Christian Archambeau, has released a new video update on the current situation at the Office, in particular the return to the EUIPO’s premises after nearly six months of teleworking for the majority of staff.

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and EBAN, the Europe leading early-stage investors network, have signed a collaboration agreement to promote and encourage activities and services that support small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

On 24 September, the European Digital SME Alliance is hosting a webinar with the EUIPO, intended to help SMEs and startups with IP-related dispute resolution.

This year, the customary high-level meetings organised annually in the margins of the WIPO General Assemblies in Geneva are taking place in a new virtual format.

As of 14 September 2020, the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) has enhanced its participation in TMclass and joined DesignClass.

The EUIPO has updated the Brexit section on its website ahead of 31 December 2020, the day on which the UK’s transition period after Brexit will end, as stipulated in the Withdrawal Agreement concluded between the EU and the UK.