Signed MoU between CIPO and INPI

Bilateral Co-operation between the Instituto Nacional Da Propriedade Industrial (INPI) and the Canadian Intellectual Property Offiche (CIPO)

• Annex A - Work Plan between CIPO and INPI-Brazil - 2011
• Signed MoU between CIPO and INPI - Original Document (PDF – 2 MB – 5 pages)

First Paragraph - Scope

By this Memorandum of Understanding, the. Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI) and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPa) declare their willingness to strengthen their partnership through international cooperation in order to foster the use of industrial property systems and encourage invention, innovation and creativity in both countries.

Second Paragraph - Objective

The objective of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish a relationship on bilateral cooperation.

Taking into consideration the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Parties agree to cooperate with a view to improve the industrial property system.

Third Paragraph - Technical Cooperation

The technical cooperation In the industrial property field will cover the following activities:

1. Exchanging information about new developments in the industrial property systems of both countries;
2. Exchanging experiences and aptitudes on general management of the INPI and cIPa including human resources, finances and quality control;
3. Exchanging experiences and knowledge on providing technical information for users and the stakeholder community;
4. Exploring joint initiatives with the view to stimulate discussion at multilateral meetings on the industrial property system, specifically in patents and trademarks.

The terms of cooperation highlighted in this paragraph shall be implemented through technical missions in accordance with the necessities and availability of both Parties.

Both Parties shall coordinate the content, topics, dates and other details of the technical missions.

Fourth Paragraph - Financial Resources

Both Parties shall be responsible for the expenses of their own employees involved in the activities resulting from the present Memorandum.

Ali efforts will be made to reduce the financiai burden resulting from this agreement. Consequently, communication through video conferencing or by other electronic means or coordinating bilateral meetings in the margins of other international conferences or symposiums will be favoured.

Fifth Paragraph - Joint Committee

A joint committee shall be created with an objective to implement the cooperation activities and discuss the content of this Memorandum with a view to further its objectives.

The President of INPI and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of cIPa shall approve the committee as well as the agenda, venue and dates for the bilateral meetings.

Sixtieth Paragraph - Amendment

This present Memorandum may be modified or amended, through written notice, by request of either Party or by mutual agreement. Any modification or amendments will not change the overall objective of this agreement.

Seventh Paragraph - Legislation and International Agreements

The Memorandum and the inserted activities will be subject to ali the applicable laws and regulations in their respective countries. This Memorandum does not affect the rights and obligations of the participants acquired under existent agreements or memoranda in which the participants are themselves involved.

Eighth Paragraph - Periodical Review

The Parties agree to review the content of this agreement after one (1) year of operation.

Ninth Paragraph - Entering into force

This Memorandum shall enter into force on the date of its signature by both Parties.

Tenth Paragraph - Duration

This Memorandum will be in force for five (5) years following its signature.

Eleventh Paragraph - Termination

Each Party may terminate the Memorandum of Understanding by giving three (3) months wriUen notice to the other Party at any time. If the Memorandum of Understanding is terminated by either Party, appropriate steps should be taken to ensure that the termination does not affect any project or activity already in progress.

Twelfth Paragraph - Consultation

Either Office will hold consultations with the other Office, where appropriate, on any issues that may arise in the course of cooperation under this Memorandum of Understanding. In that process, the English version of this Memorandum of Understanding will be primarily referred, as necessary.

Annex A - Work Plan between CIPO and INPI-Brazil - 2011

1. Exchanging of experiences on the EPOQUE system, in conjuncture with EPO training and through videoconferencing.
   • Date: 2011
2. Seminar: Exchanging experiences on the Vancouver Group and the South American Group.
   • Date: 2011
3. Joint study and seminar:
   1. Drafting joint papers to stimulate discussions at the multilateral level.
   2. Exchanging experiences on quality control system of patent search and examination results.
   3. Exploring the possibility of collaborating on patent examination.
   • Date: 2011
4. Organizing joint workshops (Ro{ld Sholl's), in cooperation with our respective trade officers, focused on small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada and Brazil
   • Date: 2011