EPO and Institute of Industrial Property of Angola initiate bilateral co-operation

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On 16 May 2017, EPO President Benoît Battistelli met with the Director General of the Institute of Industrial Property of Angola (IAPI), Mr Dário Camati, at the EPO headquarters in Munich. This was the first visit by officials from Angola to the EPO. The IAPI was established in 1996 as an executive branch within the Ministry of Industry in charge of implementing the national industrial property laws.

During the visit, President Battistelli and Director General Camati exchanged information on patent-related developments in Europe and Angola respectively, and explored related opportunities for co-operation. The IAPI is working to promote IP as a tool for economic development and to develop the national IP system in line with international best practices and standards. To that end, it is seeking the support of international partners, in particular the EPO.

President Battistelli and Director General Camati agreed in principle on the future launch of a comprehensive co-operation programme including the validation of EP patents in Angola and EPO technical assistance for the development of the national patent system. The programme also aims to strengthen the IAPI's capacities to administer Angolan patent applications and granted patents, as well to raise awareness of the benefits of patent protection in the country.

"The launch of a co-operation programme is a watershed moment in the relations between the EPO and IAPI and will provide a framework for initiatives that can help deliver stronger patent protection for our users", said EPO President Benoît Battistelli. "Our Offices will be able to work together to help build Angola's national capacity for supporting innovation and growth."

"The co-operation with the EPO will create an incentive for owners of European patents to consider investing in Angola, thereby boosting the country's economic development", said IAPI Director General Dário Camati.

Angola is a signatory to the Paris Convention, the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the TRIPS Agreement, and is currently revising its patent law of 1992 in accordance with these international treaties with a view to aligning the Angolan IP system internationally.