The International IP Enforcement Summit 2023, co-organised by the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria (BPO), the European Commission and European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), aims to bring strategic and practical guidance and share good practices on how the fight against counterfeit and piracy should contribute to a healthier society, a more sustainable environment and a stronger economy.

The summit will bring together key European and international decision-makers, law enforcement authorities, multinational companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), consumer representatives, and other relevant players to discuss ways to improve protection and enforcement of IP rights in the EU and around the globe.

The programme (draft):

Panel I. Strengthening the fight against IP crime through cooperation
The European Multi-disciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) aims to tackle the main crime threats posed by organised and serious international crime. In the current cycle 2022-2025, IP crime is among the selected priorities. The panel will address how the EMPACT platform can be utilised to enhance inter-agency cooperation and, cross-border criminal investigations and facilitate better investigations into serious and organised IP crime.

Panel II. Information sharing: breaking down silos between rights holders, intermediaries and law enforcement
An efficient regulatory framework and the use of new technologies have a key role for ensuring effective and safe information sharing between all stakeholders, including rights holders, intermediaries and law enforcement authorities.

Panel III. SMEs and IP enforcement
Intellectual property infringement is a challenging and expensive threat to face. This leaves SMEs – who are the core of our economy – particularly vulnerable to threats related to counterfeiting and piracy. What solutions are there to overcome these challenges?

The draft agenda is available on the EUIPO website.

The event will take place at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 14-15 June 2023.

Language: English