The public consultation is open until 22 July and aims to capture the views of all relevant stakeholders in the EU-wide protection of Geographical Indications (GIs) for non-agricultural products.

Like every year, the EUIPO pays tribute to Europe Day on 9 May. This date is the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, pronounced on 9 May, 1950, which is considered the beginning of the European Union as we know it.

On 3 May, the Executive Director of the EUIPO, Mr Archambeau, met Ms Marion Walsmann virtually. Ms Walsmann is a member of the European Parliament serving on the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI Committee) as Vice Chair and Rapporteur for the IP Action Plan.

On 13 May the EUIPO Observatory will hold an information session on the Grants 2021 call for proposals supporting activities raising awareness on the value of Intellectual Property and the damage caused by counterfeiting and piracy, the fourth such call for proposals launched by the Office.

The aim of Alicante News is to provide up-to-date information on EUIPO-related matters, as well as on other general IP issues, to the users of the EU trade mark and design registration systems.

The EUIPO launches a pilot to replace attachments with links in official communications.

1-31 May: The 3rd application window for the Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund is now open!

The EUIPO’s Customer Panel on SME operational activities met on 20 and 29 April to exchange views on how the EUIPO can better meet SME needs with improved or new services.

The meeting of the EU Delegations IP Network is taking place virtually over 29 and 30 April.

The EUIPO is enlarging its presence in Africa. Following an official welcome by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), the EU-funded AfrIPI project set up its leading office in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 27 April.