As a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many scholars and scientists have left the country. More than 30 Ukrainian researchers displaced by the war have temporarily joined the University of Luxembourg mainly as research fellows and in some cases under temporary contracts funded by the FNR. In this series of interviews, we briefly present the researchers and their work.
Olena Sokolova is a PhD researcher at the National Law University of Yaroslav Mudriy, Department of Law of the EU, in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Currently, she is a Visiting Researcher at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance at the University of Luxembourg.
What is your research field, and which specific topic are you working on?
My research project deals with patent protection in the EU, more specifically the “Legal Regulation of the Unification of Patent Protection in the EU”. The implementation of the European patent with unitary effect (the ‘unitary patent’) and the establishment of a new patent court are today actively promoted by the European Commission. The unitary patent title is a legal title that will provide uniform protection across all participating EU countries, reduce the cost of obtaining such protection and make the procedure easier. After many turns, the Unitary patent protection system in the EU is finally on the horizon for start 2023. Although the exact date of entry into force is yet to be confirmed, now is the time to start preparing. Thus, I am working on the examination of features of the Unitary patent protection system in the EU, its advantages for the common market of the EU and its correlation with European and national patents. Moreover, I would like to establish the main points of EU patent protection legislation which should be implemented by Ukraine into its own legislation. It is highly important for Ukraine as an EU candidate state.
What would you like to achieve in your research work here, in Luxembourg?
I came to Luxembourg almost four months ago. During this time, I have understood the unique internationalised and open-minded character of this country. Of course, first of all, for me Luxembourg is the safe place where I have an opportunity to concentrate on my research project, not thinking about saving my life anymore. Coming to Luxembourg almost helped me get away from all the upheavals of the war. I was able to concentrate on my research again here. I understood that I am surrounded by incredibly professional scientific community of the University of Luxembourg. I have met people from all over the world which were so friendly and supportive. I was really inspired by them to continue working on my research and during my stay in Luxembourg have already made great progress. This international society gives me the opportunity to meet researchers from the field of patent protection. Luxembourg is the city where a Court of Appeal and a Registry of the Unified Patent Court will be based. During my everyday activity, I am focusing on collection and analysing the literature, which I have access to thanks to the University of Luxembourg. Also, I have an opportunity to communicate with other researchers and to establish the contacts for the future.
Will your research have a potential impact on people’s everyday life?
Patent protection is a critical incentive for innovation and creativity, which in turn are key to the success of the Sustainable Development Goals. Only through human ingenuity will it be possible to develop new solutions that eradicate poverty, boost agricultural sustainability and ensure food security, fight diseases, improve education, protect the environment and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, increase productivity and boost business competitiveness. Of course, I should concentrate my attention on Ukraine as my homeland. To my mind such a country should be the part of the EU to develop the European continent together. The results of my research will demonstrate the necessary strategic steps towards the integration of Ukrainian legislation into European standards. The adoption of further laws on patent protection will result in an improved investment climate and the introduction of an effective mechanism for the protection of intellectual property rights in Ukraine as an EU candidate state. Such processes will influence the development of the common market of the EU as such and on the economic development of every EU state.