Cooperation Board Launch Strengthens EUIPN Framework for Collaboration – EUIPO
11-May-2026
|
Source : The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
|
Visits : 161
First Cooperation Board sets strategic direction for stronger EUIPN governance and joint action, supporting the transition from a network of offices to a collaborative community.
LAKE BALATON - The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), together with national and regional European Union (EU) intellectual property (IP) offices, met in Lake Balaton, Hungary, for the first Cooperation Board Executive Plenary. This milestone marks a new phase in the governance and coordination of European IP cooperation, according to the official website of EUIPO.
A new forum for cooperation and initial focus areas
The plenary brought together 62 representatives from EU Member State IP offices, alongside the EUIPO, to launch the first ever Cooperation Board. The forum is designed to oversee the full lifecycle of cooperation initiatives, from planning to evaluation, and to strengthen strategic alignment across the European IP system.
Discussions focused on four priority areas: AI and emerging technologies, unlocking IP value, evolving IP rights, and inclusive innovation and impact. Through interactive sessions and practical demonstrations, participants explored how joint tools, shared data and coordinated approaches can support more efficient and forward-looking IP services.
Strategic relevance
The meeting reflects a broader transition in how cooperation is organized within the EUIPN. The new structure supports a transition from a network of offices to a more integrated and collaborative community, enabling faster knowledge sharing and more coherent responses to common challenges.
The Executive Director of the EUIPO, João Negrão, highlighted this shift: “This gathering marks a significant milestone. It represents the very first meeting of our newly restructured cooperation forum, reflecting our shared commitment to strengthening governance, coordination, and strategic alignment within the European cooperation framework.
The meeting also marked the announcement of the EUIPO IP Alliance Seconded National Experts Network (SNEt), bringing together a growing community of 250 current and former SNEs from the EU and beyond. Building on the long-standing SNE program, the network provides a structured space for current and former experts, mainly from IP offices, to stay connected, exchange best practices and maintain professional links. As part of the EUIPO’s Strategic Plan 2030 (SP2030), the initiative ensures that knowledge gained through secondments remains a shared asset, strengthening connections across the European and global IP community.
Background
European IP cooperation has developed progressively over the past decades, from early collaboration initiatives in 1994 and the first user group meetings in 1998, to the creation of the EUIPN in 2012 and the launch of European Cooperation Projects in 2016. The first Cooperation Board Executive Plenary represents a milestone in this evolution, introducing a reinforced governance framework aimed at maximizing the impact of joint activities and ensuring that cooperation continues to deliver tangible benefits for businesses, innovators and citizens across the EU.
The Cooperation Board is a key deliverable of the EUIPO SP2030, ensuring cooperation remains aligned with long-term priorities. Its function is to guide and monitor cooperation activities, fostering practical collaboration and promoting the uptake of shared tools and best practices. Outcomes from the plenary discussions will feed into ongoing and future cooperation projects, supporting a more connected, efficient and inclusive European IP system.