Christian Archambeau fails to win extension as EUIPO chief

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Christian Archambeau fails to win extension as EUIPO chief

C_Archambeau_02.jpg

The executive director lost a key vote at a meeting of the EUIPO management and budget committee on Tuesday, November 22

The executive director of the EUIPO, Christian Archambeau, has failed to secure an extension to his term at the Alicante-headquartered office, Managing IP can confirm.

Archambeau failed to secure the necessary backing following a meeting of the office’s management board and budget committee on Tuesday, November 22.

The EUIPO executive director is appointed by the Council of the EU after a nomination from the management board. Archambeau, in office since 2018, required a two-thirds majority vote from the management board for it to propose an extension of his contract.

The management board is made up of representatives of EUIPO member states, the European Commission, and the European Parliament.

Had Archambeau ultimately won the nomination, it would have resulted in his term being extended until 2027.

But he received 11 out of 30 votes at the meeting. An election to choose a successor will be held in June next year.

A spokesperson for the EUIPO confirmed the news to Managing IP today, November 25.

“His mandate as executive director of the EUIPO will end on September 30 2023,” they said.

“According to the rules of procedure, a vacancy notice for the position will be published shortly,” they added.

It is understood that Archambeau has already informed EUIPO staff of the news.

Archambeau has been ED at the EUIPO since 2018, and was previously vice president. He had previously spent eight years at the EPO as a director of infrastructure, administration, and human resources.

It comes after a projected fall in trademark application numbers at the EUIPO this year. This will be only the fourth year-on-year decrease in the office’s history.

The potential financial consequences of the drop-off had been a factor during discussions at meetings of the management board and budget committee this year, Managing IP understands.

But in an article for Managing IP written in October (and published on Monday, November 21), Archambeau was bullish about the office’s future.

“In spite of these drawbacks, the office has shown sustained growth through the years and has proved to be a key contributor to the modernisation of the intellectual property landscape in the EU,” he wrote.

In July, Archambeau also outlined his vision to Managing IP, saying the EUIPO should expand its brief to include domains and supplementary protection certificates.

It is not yet known who will run to replace Archambeau.

The board will meet to nominate a successor in June 2023.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Alif Gultom and Andrew Diamond of Januar Jahja and Partners explain why Indonesia must adopt reforms against bad-faith filings and safeguard its trademark system for the future
In the third episode of a podcast series celebrating the tenth anniversary of IP Inclusive, we discuss the ‘Women in IP’ network and the current state of diversity within the profession
Practitioners, including two ex USPTO directors, say the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act could restore clarity and predictability to US patent law, though concerns remain
News of an alliance between two Malaysian law firms and the launch of a self-help video aimed at supporting IP professionals through menopause were also among the top talking points
Speakers at the EUIPO’s IP Mediation Conference discussed how lawyers can act in tandem with clients during mediation, and the importance of showing a united front
A report that revealed top legal LinkedIn influencers are generating hundreds of thousands in advertising value is the push lawyers need to up their social media presence
Speakers at the EUIPO’s Mediation Conference say mediation can offer a ‘cathartic’ and effective alternative to litigation that IP owners should consider
Partner Scott Sudderth says he is looking forward to building strong client relationships and expanding the firm’s patent practice
Find out which firms secured the most nominations for Managing IP’s Asia-Pacific Awards 2025, ahead of the winners being revealed on November 6
Raluca Vasilescu joins our ‘Five minutes with’ series to discuss patent mining and watercolour painting
Gift this article