European Commission reveals IP action plan

The European Commission has said it will target piracy sites and help small and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gain easier access to legal aid as part of an action plan to protect IP rights in Europe and abroad. The plan, adopted today, July 1, focuses on how to tackle IP infringements in the EU and a strategy for protection and enforcement in countries outside Europe. In a statement, the Commission said IP infringements were a pertinent issue. It said that although European patent registrations, registered Community trademarks and Community designs more than doubled between 2003 and 2012, the high number of infringements could harm this positive registration trend. “In 2012 alone, EU border control agencies registered 90,000 cases of goods suspected of infringing IP rights, compared to fewer than 27,000 in 2005,” it said. The action plan, which covers several points, aims to reduce profits from infringements online and promote due diligence among all those involved in the production of goods. To help achieve this, the Commission said it is eager to adopt the ‘follow the money’ approach that focuses on cutting revenue from IP-infringing sites by deterring advertisers from them. The Commission also said it was keen to help small businesses enforce their rights more effectively by improving court procedures, including looking at schemes to help SMEs access the justice system. In order to improve international protection, the Commission said it will ensure that IP-related chapters in bilateral trade agreements were “adequate and efficient” and that it will work with other countries to address “issues” and key weaknesses. It added that it was keen to assist SMEs through projects including “IPR helpdesks”. “Our businesses, creators and inventors should be duly rewarded for their creative and innovating efforts”, said EU commissio*****or trade Karel De Gucht. “For that, and to maintain the incentives that drive innovation and creativity, we must keep working on improving standards with our international partners.” The actions will be carried out over the next year. The Commission will monitor the delivery of these initiatives and urged member states including the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market to “actively contribute” to the work ahead. Source：WIPR