IP Pioneers: The European Union’s Steps Towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through Intellectual Property Protection

The significance of intellectual property (IP) in advancing critical technologies towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) worldwide is being recognized on World IP Day. This year’s focus is on the SDGs, highlighting the considerable impact of IP in guiding us towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

The European Union has been making significant progress in strengthening IP protection and enhancing the single market since unveiling an ambitious IP action plan in November 2020. One of the major milestones achieved is the implementation of the unitary patent system, which harmonizes patent protection across EU countries. Additionally, proposals to improve transparency and efficiency in the patent framework are set to be introduced with ‘patent package’ in April 2023.

Furthermore, efforts have been made to provide geographical indication (GI) protection for craft and industrial products throughout the EU. GIs help preserve names associated with specific regions, such as Herend porcelain (HU) and Donegal tweed (IE). By updating EU designs protection rules, the EU aims to encourage design innovation, competitiveness, and fair competition in the spare parts aftermarket.

The EU has also intensified IP enforcement by recommending measures against counterfeiting through its toolbox against counterfeiting. This toolbox provides companies with essential tools to combat counterfeiting effectively and protect their IP rights.

On this World IP Day, the EU reaffirms its commitment to supporting innovation and creativity as vital drivers of progress towards a sustainable and inclusive future for all.