News & Events

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is pleased to announce that both Rhodes in Greece and Riga in Latvia have recently been certified as Authenticities, an achievement of the European Cooperation Project ECP5 - European Network of Authenticities. These milestones were accomplished by the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) and the Municipality of Rhodes on 27 June 2025, and by the Latvian Patent Office and the Riga State City Municipality on 14 September 2025.

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is pleased to announce that Liptovský Mikuláš officially became the third certified Slovak Authenticity on 30 April 2025, an achievement of the European Cooperation Project ECP5 - European Network of Authenticities. This certification follows the 2024 certifications of Pécs (Hungary), Bardejov (Slovakia), Barcelona (Spain), Argostoli (Greece), Stara Zagora (Bulgaria), and the re-certifications of Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Zaragoza (Spain), and Thessaloniki (Greece).

Counterfeiting harms everyone. On World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, the Portuguese Industrial Property Office (INPI) reinforces this message with a video statement from its President, Ana Margarida Moura Soares Bandeira, and the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas.

video statement

The European Union (EU) faces an increasingly pressing issue as counterfeit goods continue to cost the clothing, cosmetics, and toy industries a staggering EUR 16 billion in sales and nearly 200 000 jobs each year. This was highlighted in an Observatory study, published today, which reveals the deep economic impact of fake products on these sectors and the serious health and safety issues they pose to consumers.

On 11 December 2023 the municipality of Daugavpils became the second certified Latvian ‘Authenticity‘ of the European network.

This innovative hub promises to be a valuable resource for producers, producer associations, businesses, enthusiasts and novices and provides comprehensive information on GIs, with a particular focus on the new EU scheme for  GIs for craft and industrial products.

On Tuesday, 12 September 2023, the European Parliament approved new EU rules aimed at safeguarding the geographical indications (GI) for craft and industrial products, inspired by the existing rules for agricultural products.

On Tuesday, 12 September 2023, the European Parliament approved new EU rules aimed at safeguarding the geographical indications (GI) for craft and industrial products, inspired by the existing rules for agricultural products.

Trade in counterfeit goods poses a serious risk to economic growth, consumers’ health and safety, and the environment. Counterfeit products tend to be shipped to virtually all countries on all continents. This report looks at the profiles of destination economies in the global trade in counterfeit goods. It employs quantitative analysis to examine the socio-economic features of various countries, including the statistical relationship between imports of counterfeits and selected, observable socio-economic factors.

Following last December’s certification of Burgas under the European Cooperation Project ‘ECP8 European Network of Authenticities’, the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria and the municipality of Burgas held their project kick-off media event on 27 June 2023.

In addition to Burgas, Bulgaria has a further certified Authenticity, Targovishte, with the Authenticities of Sofia and Plovdiv (whose certification previously expired) planning on becoming recertified soon.

On 12 June the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic held the closing ceremony of the 2 years certification of Banská Bystrica as an Authenticity (the certification will officially expire end of September).

The successful closing ceremony gathered more than 80 attendees and it was even the occasion to celebrate the symbolic opening of the renovated conference hall at the IPO.

Banská Bystrica had been a very active Authenticity, focusing mainly toward the youngsters, with many activities implemented and different creative competitions held.