WIPO - Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT), Geneva, 17 - 21 March 2014

The Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT) concluded its thirty-first session at WIPO’s headquarters (Geneva, 17 - 21 March 2014). The Delegations devoted sufficient time in all three topics of this Committee, with a main focus on Industrial Designs and a proposal to be finalized in May on convening a Diplomatic Conference for the adoption of a Design Law Treaty in 2014.

While significant progress was made, the text is still to be decided at the extraordinary session of WIPO’s General Assembly in May 2014. From the European Union’s perspective the draft Articles and Regulations are technically mature, representing a significant step towards approximating and simplifying industrial design formalities and procedures. To fulfill the mandate of this Committee, the only way forward is to a fruitful Diplomatic Conference.

Greece participated actively in this Committee, working closely with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization, while ensuring the best cooperation between the European Union and its Member States.