The Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia hosted the representatives of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia (Sakpatenti), project leader Ibon Ormazabal and Head of Trademark Department Irakli Kasradze. The Head of Investigation Department of Service Kakhaber Khurtsilava, together with his colleagues introduced specific directions, procedures and legal bases of investigative activities to the guests. The conversations also touched upon the challenges faced by the staff of the Investigation Service in the investigative processes of the criminal offenses related to intellectual property violations. 

At the meeting, Mr. Ibon Ormazabal presented to law enforcement officials the plans and stages of implementation of the 3-year Program, which the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) intends to implement.

The program aims to support the intellectual property system in Georgia, in particular the protection of trademarks and design system and harmonization with EU legislation, development of draft legislative amendments, elaborating guiding instructions related to trademarks and design and sharing the European Observatory’s best practices.

The guests expressed their readiness to organize trainings, exchange programs and seminars for the Investigation Service staff.