The Spanish Patent and Trademark Office O.A. (OEPM) and the Plant Biotechnology Technological Platform – BIOVEGEN have recently signed an agreement to establish a cooperation framework aimed at facilitating, promoting, and stimulating the knowledge and use of Industrial Property (IP) rights within the Technological Platform. This collaboration will enhance the competitiveness of the Spanish industry in the field of innovation and its protection in plant production and agrobiotechnology. The Agreement will establish a bidirectional channel of institutional communication between the OEPM and BIOVEGEN that contributes to achieving the previously mentioned objectives.
The OEPM, among other actions, commits in this agreement to provide technical support for the training of BIOVEGEN professionals in IP matters, conducting workshops that will allow them to learn about the different protection modalities, the Technological Information services, and the mechanisms for protecting R&D results. It will also assist in the processes of searching for documentation, patentability studies, patent applications, and provide a direct information service with those responsible for IP. The Patent Technological Reports and the Technological Surveillance reports requested by BIOVEGEN will have a 30% discount.
Both entities will continue to cooperate in the preparation and dissemination of monographs, studies, Technological Surveillance Bulletins, and reports on specific topics considered of interest for Spanish companies, foundations, and associations.
The agreement was recently published in the BOE No. 40 of February 16, 2021, and will last for four years, extendable for another four, subject to unanimous agreement by the parties.