The initial signs of the credit crisis were perceptible around seven years ago, first in the US and shortly after in Europe. The Bible tells us that the seven lean years will be followed by seven better years. Economists have indeed identified this cycle. I am hopeful that this Bible lesson will indeed hold true. The early signs of economic recovery in any event seem to be perceptible to the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP). The use of our services rose slightly, mainly in the second half of 2013. This bodes well for the future.

We completed several important projects in 2013. Our services have improved and are more accessible due to the introduction of English as the third working language. We have made substantial investments in automation. Users can now renew their trademark registrations online. Design

applications can now also be submitted online, a project we carried out in close collaboration with the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) under the Cooperation Fund programme. In close association with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), we furthermore introduced a fully automated workflow for international trademark applications.

We served as the pilot office for both of these large-scale projects. This proves all the more that the BOIP is a serious player in the field of international collaboration. The agreement we recently concluded with the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten concerning the implementation of the national Trademark Act clearly cemented BOIP's reputation as an efficient service provider who is also valued beyond the borders of the Benelux and Europe.

The year 2013 was important for the i-DEPOT - it was the year in which it acquired a legal basis in the Benelux Convention on Intellectual Property (BCIP). We deem this as recognition of this service, which has proved to be a resounding success since it was introduced 15 years ago. The number of i-DEPOTs once again rose considerably in 2013. The possibility of publishing an i-DEPOT (optional) is on our 2014 agenda. I am convinced that publication will provide added value and have every confidence that it will boost the appeal of the i-DEPOT.

Our services are becoming more accessible, reliable and efficient as a result of further automation. This is a positive development not only for our users but also for the purpose of optimising our internal processes. There is a downside, however. Various administrative tasks have dwindled in

recent years, with some even having been eliminated. As a consequence of these developments a reorganisation was initiated in 2013. We will therefore inevitably have to say farewell to a number of colleagues in the period ahead. While we need to maintain a sound organisation, this tough decision has not been easy to take. I can assure those involved that the BOIP will do its utmost to assist and support them to the best possible extent.

Aside from the more favourable economic outlook there are developments which make me feel optimistic about the future. I am delighted that the Management Board will again be complete with the appointment of a new Deputy Director General of General Affairs in 2014. We have made substantial progress in the discussions in Brussels concerning an amendment of the European Trademarks

Directive and the Community Trade Mark Regulation. We have made headway particularly in the area of the sustainable co-existence of, and a balance between the various protection regimes in Europe.
To conclude, I am delighted with the recently agreed amendment of our Headquarters Agreement with the host country, the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The agreement makes us more autonomous financially and places us in a better position to maintain the fees - which have remained stable in the last eight years despite the stagnating economy - at an acceptable level.

The BOIP is a sound organisation. We are undergoing modernisation and are proactive in responding to changes in society and in the intellectual property arena. I am convinced that we can continue to consolidate our role as an intellectual property knowledge centre serving the interests of all users.

Edmond Simon
Director General