News & Events

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.

A new study by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) indicates that while Europeans are growing wary of counterfeits and illegal content, price remains a deciding factor as young consumers are more likely to find it acceptable to buy fakes.

The European Network of Authenticities started this month (June) after different kick-off events were held last month in the certified cities. After the recent kick-off event in Corfu (Greece), it was time for Targovishte (Bulgaria).

Following last November’s certification of Targovishte under the European Cooperation Project ECP8 ‘European Network of Authenticities’, the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Municipality of Targovishte held their project kick-off media event on 17 May 2023.

Following the recent certification of Corfu as the third Greek Authenticity, under the European Cooperation Project ‘European Network of Authenticities,’ the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) and the municipality of Corfu held the project kick-off event on 9 May 2023, during Europe Day.

Representatives from OBI, the EUIPO, local authorities, the IP world and the media participated in the event.

On 28 February 2023 the municipality of Liepāja became the first certified Latvian ‘Authenticity‘.

The fame of the traditional dessert goes beyond the confines of the city itself. In February 2022, the famous Greek American chef Diane Kochilas told the British newspaper The Guardian that ‘Thessaloniki is often called “sweet mother”’ and the author of the article, Elise Morton, added that ‘with a Panorama triangle in hand, it’s easy to see why’.

More than 4 years of capacity building, knowledge expansion, promotion, dissemination and development of tools and databases to increase legal certainty and transparency.

GIview: Search for Geographical Indications

GIview provides a single entry point for data on Geographical indications (GIs) registered in the EU.

When you travel to France, the Eiffel Tower in Paris will be one of the key sites to visit; when you think of Italy, one of that country’s symbols is Michelangelo’s David; as you enjoy the sun setting down in the Spanish city of Logroño, you may well order some Chorizo Riojano to go with your glass of Rioja wine; when you stroll down the streets of Copenhagen, you will admire the beautiful furniture and the distinctive Scandinavian design style on display in local store