It is with great sadness that we report that the former President of the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (now EUIPO), Wubbo de Boer, passed away on the 20th of April at the age of 68.

Wubbo de Boer has been the President of EUIPO from 2000 to 2010. During his time in office he regularly visited and was a regular speaker at our Annual Conferences. In the margins of these conferences, he always engaged with our membership and showed sincere interest.

He strongly advocated that trade mark owners were the key users of the services of the EUIPO and has achieved many goals in upgrading the trade marks and design system that were in the interest of trade mark owners. Many of us still enjoy the benefits of his legacy every day.

Our thoughts are with his wife Margot, his children, grand children, family and friends.