In a bid to expedite the processing of patent applications, the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC) and the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) inked a significant agreement on Tuesday in Casablanca. The agreement, focused on the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program, aims to streamline the issuance of invention patents.
The signing ceremony took place during a joint commission meeting chaired by Abdelaziz Babqiqi, the Director General of OMPIC, and Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Suwailem, the Executive President of SAIP.
According to a statement released by OMPIC, the initiative rests on the premise of sharing examination outcomes, with the overarching goal of slashing the time required for processing patent applications while simultaneously enhancing the quality of granted patents.
The meeting also served as a platform to deliberate on collaborative ventures between the two offices. Discussions primarily revolved around exchanging insights into the latest developments in industrial property within their respective nations. Furthermore, experiences and best practices in managing and scrutinizing applications for industrial property protection were shared, paving the way for a more robust framework.
Geographical indications protection and valorization systems also took center stage during the discussions. Participants exchanged experiences in this domain, alongside activities aimed at promoting awareness among enterprises regarding the significance of industrial property protection and rights compliance. Notably, training programs devised by both offices to bolster the capabilities of pertinent stakeholders were underscored.
In a forward-looking gesture, the two offices agreed to broaden the scope of their cooperation, venturing into novel realms such as artificial intelligence and information and communication technologies.
The agreement signifies a concerted effort to foster innovation and strengthen intellectual property frameworks, marking a milestone in the bilateral relationship between Morocco and Saudi Arabia.
