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Meeting in Santander, Spain, EPO President Benoît Battistelli and the Director General of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, Patricia García-Escudero Marquéz, signed an agreement to promote the quality and efficiency of the Latin American patent system to the benefit of its users and of European industry in particular.

This agreement, which follows the successful completion of a similar agreement signed in 2011, will enable both Offices to develop their co-operation by creating synergies, implementing joint actions, and better coordinating their respective activities in Latin America. It aims amongst others to improve access to and the public dissemination of Latin American patent information.

Benoît Battistelli said: “The knowledge society relies on the rapid spread of information, and the patent system has a special responsibility also for the broad diffusion of technological information. In this respect, the close and fruitful co-operation between the EPO and the STPO strongly contributes to ensuring lasting benefits to society both in Europe and in Latin America.”

Lecturing at the summer school of the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo the EPO President emphasized the role of international co-operation both within Europe and at global level in securing an efficiency and quality driven patent system that recognises the interests of both the patent owners and the public.

In recognition for his merits in the development of the patent system and the promotion of innovation President Battistelli was conferred an honorary doctorate by the University. He received the honour also on behalf of the whole Office, as recognition of its contribution for the patent system in Europe.

Source: EPO