CLDP partnered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and with Georgia's National Intellectual Property Center (Sakpatenti) and organized a 4-day course on Trademark Examination for Sakpatenti trademark examiners. With substantial cost-sharing from Sakpatenti, the program focused on trademark examination topics particularly relevant to the Georgian entity. Designed with input from Sakpatenti, and led by two attorneys from USPTO, through a series of lectures and case studies, the program built capacity of Sakpatenti professionals on U.S. approaches and international best practices in advanced trademark examination topics, including examination for marks of distinctiveness, likelihood of confusion, conflicting marks, well-known marks, 3D marks, color marks, bad faith applications, and multiple other topics. The program also familiarized the audience with international agreements relevant to trademarks, including the Trademark Law Treaty and the Singapore Treaty.

The program aims to develop the knowledge base and practical skills of Sakpatenti trademark examiners, and make progress towards harmonization of Georgia’s trademark examination procedures with international standards, making them more predictable for international businesses. Sakpatenti will be able to share the knowledge gained during this course with other professionals through the platform of its Intellectual Property Academy.