The Intellectual Property metamorphosis
in the Age of Digital Transition
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the Member States’ agenda, forcing them to rethink ways of acting and to reflect on how to react to the global health crisis. This has resulted in an intense need for innovation and implementation of new technologies.
The creation of an environment which enables researchers, scientists, authors, companies and universities to continue on producing Innovation and Research and Development (R&D) inevitably involves the protection of the Intellectual Property Rights, such as trademarks, patents, designs, geographical indications and appellations of origin, and copyright.
In fact, the protection of such rights promotes the creation and dissemination of inventions with a consequent positive impact on the economy. The Portuguese Presidency has a particular emphasis on this priority by supporting companies and universities to capitalise on their inventions and creations.
New technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, biopatents and green energies/technologies are among the priorities defined by the Portuguese Presidency in terms of Industrial Property. The digital transition, conveyed by the Industrial Property system, is a unique opportunity not only to leverage economic recovery, but also to create a more innovation-orientated ecosystem which will improve the quality of life of citizens and companies. This evolution must obviously be complemented with incentives for the development of technologies and green energies for the sustainable growth of societies.
The Presidency believes that it is essential to reflect on the importance of Intellectual Property in the European context. Therefore, INPI is organising a High-Level Conference on Intellectual Property and Digital Transition, under the theme of “The Intellectual Property metamorphosis in the Age of Digital Transition - Remember the past, Act in the Present, and Reflect on the challenges of the Future”. This event is scheduled for February 11th, on a virtual format.
The focus of this event will be on the discussion and reflection on relevant matters directly related to Intellectual Property, regarding the need to hasten the digital transition as a driver for economic recovery, as well as promoting the digital transformation of businesses and the awareness that digital should be faced as a cluster of opportunities. These will consequently bring citizens and services together under the principle of proximity, that overcomes the constraints arising from possible distances, both geographical and those caused by the pandemic that we currently face.