Exclusive: French govt declares for INTA chief in EUIPO race

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2024

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

Exclusive: French govt declares for INTA chief in EUIPO race

Etienne_Sanz_de_Acedo_03-comp.jpg

French ministers have written to EU member states to garner support for Etienne Sanz de Acedo’s bid to succeed Christian Archambeau

  • Inside look at French government position

  • Background to the campaign and next steps

The French government has backed INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo to be the next executive director of the EUIPO, Managing IP can confirm.

Two senior French ministers wrote to national intellectual property offices last Wednesday, February 15, to say the INTA chief had the full support of the French government.

Sanz de Acedo’s application for the role had not been made public until now.

The letter, seen by Managing IP, said Sanz de Acedo had all the qualities to build on the EUIPO’s success to date.

“We have the honour to inform you of the candidacy of Etienne Sanz de Acedo Hecquet to become executive director of the EUIPO,” said a translated version of the letter, which was originally written in French.

“[His] professional experience and expertise are essential assets for the management of an EU agency such as the EUIPO, in agreement with the member states, the EU institutions, and the European and international IP organisations.

“He also has a strong network within the global intellectual property ecosystem, allowing him to understand the current and future challenges faced by IP rights holders,” the letter added.

The letter was signed by Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna.

Sanz de Acedo, who worked at the EUIPO from 1997 to 2013, has been rumoured to be a candidate to succeed incumbent Christian Archambeau later this year but has not commented publicly on the matter.

Last Wednesday, February 15, Managing IP reported exclusively that EUIPO Boards of Appeal president João Negrão had applied for the post with the support of the Portuguese government.

EUIPO deputy chief executive Andrea Di Carlo is also in the race and has received public support from the Italian government.

The EUIPO’s management board, made up of representatives from member states, the European Parliament and the European Commission, will nominate Archambeau's successor in June.

The nominee will take the post in October, subject to the approval of the European Council.

Managing IP has contacted the French government for comment.

Sanz de Acedo declined to comment on this story.

more from across site and ros bottom lb

More from across our site

We provide a rundown of Managing IP’s news and analysis from the week, and review what’s been happening elsewhere in IP
The termination of the USPTO's programme ends one way of requesting reviews of claim amendments, but counsel have other options
To mark this year’s World Mental Health Day, IP Inclusive’s Andrea Brewster urges law firms to allow staff to prioritise their mental health without impunity
With the submission deadline fast approaching, we provide some top tips on how to make your firm stand out
On World Mental Health Day, Elizabeth Rimmer shares why legal wellbeing charity LawCare could be heading for its ‘moment in the sun’
In our latest UPC update, we review two decisions by the Court of Appeal, summarise the latest court data, and preview upcoming hearings
James Davies and Vishen Pillay at Adams & Adams discuss IP protection strategies and ownership considerations for AI
HGF CEO Martyn Fish tells Managing IP in an exclusive interview what private equity firm CBPE’s minority investment in the firm means for the business and its people
In-house counsel and teams can now submit information for the 20th annual Managing IP Awards programme
Ahsan Shaikh at McDermott reveals how the firm is using three AI tools, including one for drafting patent applications
Gift this article