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).
To mark this milestone, the Municipality of Liptovský Mikuláš, in partnership with the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic and the Financial Administration of the Slovak Republic, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a public kick-off event. This MoU initiates a two-year programme of local activities focused on intellectual property (IP) awareness and anti-counterfeiting efforts within the newly certified Authenticity.
Liptovský Mikuláš has a rich heritage of traditional craftsmanship, and is particularly renowned for its world-class leather products, ranging from handmade handbags to leather used in aviation and automotive industries. The town also boasts a strong distilling and dairy tradition, with several local products enjoying protection under Designations of Origin and Geographical Indications - clear markers of Liptovský Mikuláš unique regional identity and the exceptional quality of its produce. This deep-rooted authenticity is one of the reasons that the region is the second most visited in Slovakia.
The ECP5 project aims to increase awareness among local governments, businesses, and the public about the importance of IP and the harmful effects of counterfeiting across European cities. The European Network of Authenticity now includes 19 municipalities, 11 of which currently hold active certification, reaching a potential of over 7 million citizens.
