On June 21, the 2022 IP5 Trial and Appeal Boards High-level Video-Conference amongEuropean Patent Office (EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO),Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO),China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)was held. MrChen Wei, Director-General of the Reexamination and Invalidation Department (PRD)of the Patent Office CNIPA, led the delegation of International Department and PRD, attended the Conference.The Conference was hosted by Boards of Appeal EPO and presided over by its President MrCarl JOSEFSSON.MrKATSURA Masanori, Director-General, Trial and Appeal Department (TAD) JPO, Mr JU Young-sik, President of the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board (IPTAB) KIPO, MrScott BOALICK, Chief Administrative Patent Judge of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) USPTO respectively led a delegation to attend. Ms Christine BONVALLET, Director of PCT International Cooperation Division of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and MsMIN EunJoo, Director of WIPO Judicial Institute, participated as observers. 

Amid the Conference, delegates from IP5 trial and appeal boards respectively presented the activitiesreport of each office, as well as the Forecast of  post-pandemic  practice  which  measures  adopted  in reaction  to  the  pandemic  will remain. WIPO introduced intellectual property cases and judicial activities.The parties exchanged views on the careerpath and trainingofpatent reexaminer (administrative judge) . All the participants agreeed thatthis professional and efficient Video-Conferencewas inspirational and referential for their management.

 In the next step, IP5 trial and appeal boards will conduct closer cooperation and exchanges to provide global intellectual property users with more quality services. (The Patent Reexamination and Invalidation Department Reported and photographed by Tian Lili)