On July 12, 2023, at the Milan Chamber of Commerce, Anton Polikarpov had the privilege to discuss the topic “Patents, Trademarks, and War: A Close Look at Intellectual Property Rights in Ukraine during the Russian Invasion.” This was part of the on-line seminar titled “Intellectual property rights, weapons and possible scenarios.”
In particular, he noted that working in the legal sector in Ukraine, we’ve seen challenges up close. Initiating the firm in March 2022 was a significant step, taken during a time of uncertainty and war.
However, patent attorneys in Ukraine stood firm, ensuring the continuation of their responsibilities. Together with NAPA association, we’ve been active participants in international forums like INTA and ECTA, highlighting the resilience of our legal system.
A significant part of our success comes from embracing digital advancements. We’ve streamlined processes through electronic filing systems for IP and moved away from traditional paperwork with electronic signatures. The UA TM and Patent Office is a testament to our perseverance, having quickly resumed operations after a brief disruption in February 2022. Moreover, our courts, leveraging their experience from the COVID era, ensured uninterrupted services through online hearings.
Our IP office, government, and parliament have been doing a great job even during the tough times. One big thing we did was follow the rules from the 2014 agreement between the EU and Ukraine. This shows we’re committed to meeting global standards, even with everything that’s going on.
Of course, there have been hurdles. The rise in intellectual property infringements, difficulties in tracking infringers due to the war, and the challenges of business development, especially with our men facing travel restrictions.
Anton also said a big thank to organizers of the event, Ms. Michela Maggi from Maggilegal, for involving. Sharing a story from Ukraine and hearing from others was really valuable.
