Brussels, 21/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Council of the EU, European Parliament and European Commission reached an agreement on Tuesday 21 April on the Community marks dossier.
A Council source informed EUROPE that the points of agreement correspond to the compromise proposed by the Latvian Presidency of the Council (see EUROPE 11226). The Office for Harmonisation of the Internal Market surplus will be used for cooperation projects with national offices and compensation in their regard. The board of management will also contain a representative from each member state, as well as one from Parliament and two from the Commission. The harmonisation of national procedures will entirely enter into force after a seven-year transition period. The package also includes an updated list of the prices for submitting marks to the OHIM.
The Latvian Presidency will present this agreement to the Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union (Coreper) on Wednesday 22 April. Formal approval is expected to follow over the next few weeks. (Jean Comte)