High-Level Conference Considerations
The High-Level Conference on Intellectual Property took place last February 11th with the attendance of more than 800 attendees and 1255 registered persons.
High-Level Conference on Intellectual Property
Considerations on the High-Level Conference of February 11th
‘Remember the past, act in the present and reflect on the challenges of the future of innovation and Intellectual Property’ was the motto for the debate on February 11th 2021, which gave rise to reflections and questions on the (unpredictable) direction that Digital Transition will follow hand in hand with Intellectual Property.
Using videos and with the help of the keynote speakers, it was told, in a straightforward way and with the help of the analogy to the metaphorical cycle of the butterfly, how the monopoly of a cutting-edge innovation is such a coveted niche. Competitors make use of this innovation with the purpose of surmounting it and transforming it into the new caterpillar, thus using it for the unpredictable creation of the future.
It is in this dialogue between imagination and innovation that the metamorphosis must provide Intellectual Property with new utilities for the future to come, ensuring that it is served with tools that allow an agile and vigorous performance in order to welcome, manage and disseminate innovation ensuing from technological evolution.
The Conference was attended by 33 speakers and 32 digital stands.
Ana Bandeira, president of INPI, opened the High-Level Conference, referring to the readjustment to the “new normal” and to the way in which innovators have vehemently responded to the new needs emerging from the established COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, Ana Bandeira stressed how everyone must be prepared for the new challenges that will arise after this pandemic state.
The opening speeches referred to Portugal's adherence to the digital project WIPO GREEN, announced by the Minister of Justice, Francisca Van Dunem. WIPO GREEN is a platform dedicated to sustainable technology, created by the World Intellectual Property Organization, which aims to encourage the production of more green technologies.
The President of the European Patent Office, António Campinos delivered a few words aimed at SMEs. Mr. Campinos noted that SMEs “that use IP intensively, were considered the most resilient and those who recovered most quickly” from the difficulties they are currently experiencing. To conclude, he stated that “in simple terms, innovation and IP are powerful weapons in the fight against the pandemic and all its effects”.
In the first panel, entitled “The innovation of the public and private sectors in the Era of Digital Transformation”, the speakers reflected on the advantages that cooperation between public and private sector have as driver forces for innovation. The existing synergy between both sectors is based on the transfer of scientific and technological knowledge from the academic sector to the private sector, which, in turn, will transform it into a product for the consumer and disseminated it in society. This companionship works as an engine and stimulus for the development and diffusion of more and more innovation.
The debate also focused on the importance that the State holds in the production of innovation and in the creation of value, by means of public investment policies in the sectors, which result on the necessary conditions for scientists, inventors, companies and universities to continue their R&D and Innovation.
On the second panel under the theme “Counterfeiting in the Digital Age”, one of the greatest scourges of contemporary times was under debate: counterfeiting and piracy. Through the reflection on its harmful consequences, such as, for example, the discouragement for the creation of innovative products from the agents that adopt Intellectual Property as a strategy to market their products, and on the serious risks that the acquisition of counterfeit goods can bring to public health and safety.
The speakers took the opportunity to present proposals that include mechanisms which contribute to the effective fight against counterfeiting and piracy, intensifying efforts to reverse the – regrettably - growing trend of this problem.
On the third panel entitled “The Challenge of Global Markets in the promotion and protection of IP and Innovation”, the speakers reflected on the role that Intellectual Property has in strengthening the competitiveness of companies, and on the advantage that the intensive use of these rights provide for the internationalisation strategy and sustainability of companies in an increasingly competitive global market.
On the 4th and last panel, entitled “The Metamorphosis cycle - the return to the beginning”, Prof. Elvira Fortunato, the panel's keynote speaker, left a plead: "the world needs more science and Europe needs more scientists."
Speakers in this panel shared which are the central themes that fill the agenda of each of the Organisations and Institutes and which path they intend to follow for achieving their goals in future times.
As EUIPO’s representative, João Negrão presented the EUIPN Network project, structured around European cooperation, which aims to create contact networks and share of practices focused on the user. Looking to the future, Mr. Negrão considers that “despite the encouraging start of the SME Fund and the different services related to SMEs, these initiatives represent only the first step of EUIPN's involvement in this area, since it is clear that the support to companies, and SMEs in particular, will continue to be necessary for years to come.”
Calling for the creation of a European Patent System with Global Impact, Telmo Vilela, EPO representative, referred to the importance of “providing the best services, tools and environments conducive to the protection of inventions in Europe and in the World”, adding that, as an Organisation, EPO is “cooperating in the field of patents to support our SMEs, our universities and research centres, and our industries in this particularly difficult period”.
The closing of the Conference was attended by the Secretary of State for Justice, Anabela Pedroso, who underlined the link between Intellectual Property and fundamental property rights, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and recalled the role of this immaterial value in revitalizing the economy.
The end of this day of debate and reflection left the audience eager for the restart of the Intellectual Property metaphorical cycle in this Digital Age, together, of course, with new challenges.
The full video of the High-Level Conference will be made available soon at INPI’s website.