The Chief of Staff of Intellectual Property Agency, Khudayat Hasanli, provided guests with detailed information on the institutional reforms being carried out in the field of intellectual property within the framework of the successful socio-economic reforms implemented in our country under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev.

The Agency, headed by Mr. Kamran Imanov, an international expert and a recognized specialist in the field of intellectual property, is considered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to be among the national IP offices that effectively respond to modern challenges. CLDP representatives were informed that the Eurasian Patent Organization had initiated the application of Azerbaijan’s positive experience in IP management within other national patent offices operating in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

At the meeting, it was noted that with the support of the Agency, a Department of Intellectual Property Law was established at the Faculty of Law of Baku State University and a Department of Intellectual Property at the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, both of which also have branches operating within the Agency. It was emphasized that the departments make a significant contribution to the training of specialists in intellectual property.

Mr. Hasanli also noted that in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated June 15, 2022, on stimulating inventive activity, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted Decision No. 439 of December 9, 2022, which provides state support for obtaining patents abroad through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT international system) and for maintaining their validity during the first three years.

Guests were further informed that Azerbaijan was the first in the CIS region to introduce a voluntary registration system for works, based on U.S. practice; that the PANAH electronic system, operating 24/7, had been established to facilitate access to patents and trademarks; that “Open Registers” containing information on registered patents and trademarks had been launched; and that the timelines for examination of industrial property objects had been significantly reduced.

Ms. Jocelyn Steiner, Legal Advisor of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), expressed her satisfaction with the work carried out in Azerbaijan in the field of intellectual property. She underlined that the U.S. experience in the commercialization of intellectual property could also be useful for Azerbaijan and noted the potential benefits of cooperation in this area.

The guests expressed interest in holding joint events aimed at enhancing the knowledge of judges and lawyers in the field of intellectual property and stated their readiness to provide support in this regard.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on supporting internships for judges, lawyers, customs officers, as well as students specializing in intellectual property in relevant U.S. institutions; establishing exchange of information in the field of IP; organizing joint projects and awareness-raising activities; and strengthening business relations between the Intellectual Property Agency of Azerbaijan and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), among other issues.