San Marino Secretary of State, Rossano Fabbri and EPO Vice-President Nellie Simon while signing the bilateral cooperation agreement.

• San Marino Secretary of State Rossano Fabbri visits the EPO for the signing of a new bilateral co-operation agreement (2024-2028).
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MUNICH - European Patent Office (EPO) Vice-President Corporate Services Nellie Simon welcomed San Marino Secretary of State Rossano Fabbri to the EPO’s Munich headquarters for the signing of a bilateral cooperation agreement (BCA). Secretary of State Fabbri, who oversees San Marino’s State Office for Patents and Trademarks (USBM), was accompanied by USBM Director Silvia Rossi, according to the official website of EPO.

“This agreement is not only a recognition of our past achievements but also a commitment to what we can accomplish together in the future,” said Vice-President Simon.

“As Europeans, we seek common solutions, and as IP offices, we are dedicated to collaboration that leverages our expertise and experience,” said Secretary of State Fabbri during the signing ceremony of San Marino’s second BCA with the EPO.

Strengthening European cooperation through successful partnerships

San Marino became a member state of the European Patent Organization in 2009, and the USBM signed its first BCA with the EPO in 2022. This second BCA, which will be in effect from 2024 to 2028, marks a new chapter in the cooperation between the two offices, reinforcing their commitment to technological advancement, economic development and strengthening the IP system in San Marino and across Europe.

The renewed agreement is structured around the four pillars of EPO cooperation: knowledge and outreach for the innovation ecosystem, convergence of practices, IT cooperation and capacity support. These initiatives aim to strengthen San Marino’s IP landscape, further align its practices with European standards and enhance the accessibility of the patent system for the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises.

The meeting included a presentation by the EPO about its Observatory on Patents and Technology, a globally accessible digital hub offering tools, analyses and extensive studies on the latest technology trends. In addition to discussing San Marino’s participation in Observatory initiatives, Vice-President Simon and Secretary of State Fabbri emphasized the importance of informed, data-driven policymaking and how the Observatory’s activities support decision-making for inventors, SMEs, researchers, and patent offices.