On 1 July the Industrial Property Registrations Directorate (IPRD) of the Maltese Commerce Department installed an IP Register in Blockchain node and transferred 60 000 records to TMview and DesignView through a blockchain network.
Malta is the first EU Member State to join the EUIPO and go live with the IP Register in Blockchain launched by the Office this past April.
Christian Archambeau, the EUIPO’s Executive Director, said: “Malta’s enthusiasm and commitment have been a key success factor in realising the considerable achievements of the project to date. By joining the blockchain, we further improve IP office connectivity to TMview and DesignView and we open the door to new blockchain-enabled services for our customers.”
Matthew Pisani, Director of the Maltese Commerce Department, stated: “We are excited to be part of the IP Register in Blockchain project. By embracing blockchain, Malta and the EUIPO can realise the significant benefits promised by this powerful new technology“.
Why blockchain?
Blockchain technology improves speed while maintaining high quality data transfers. Data integrity and security are taken to another level opening the door to new services that improve connectivity between users and their IP rights and speed up the connection between IP offices.
The technical and financial support provided to the Maltese office through the EUIPO’s European Cooperation Projects has been instrumental to the success of this implementation. The same cooperation framework will allow more offices in Europe to join the initiative this year.
IP Register in Blockchain is one of the projects included in the Digital Evolution Programme, which is part of the EUIPO’s Strategic Plan 2025. This innovation programme embraces next-generation technologies including blockchain, cloud computing, big data and artificial intelligence, to shape and improve the Office’s services to its customers.
