Communication on ‘A balanced IP enforcement system responding to today’s societal challenges’

Further information:

The Communication provides the framework for the actions included in this package of measures on intellectual property, listed below.

Background information:

Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are one of the principal means through which companies, creators and inventors generate returns on their investment in knowledge and creation. The digital revolution opened up a wealth of new opportunities, but also exposes the EU’s IP system to greater risks.

IPR infringements pose a specific threat to sectors where EU businesses are world leaders, such as clothing, luxury goods and pharmaceuticals, and account for major losses of revenue and jobs in these sectors. The 2014 IPR Enforcement Action Plan marked a shift in focus of the Commission's IP enforcement policy towards a 'follow the money' approach.

Following up on recent initiatives to improve the copyright framework (see below), the Commission decided to present a package of measures to further improve the application and enforcement of IPRs. The measures contained in this package are set out in this Communication.

+ Communication providing guidance on aspects of Directive 2004/48/EC on the enforcement of intellectual property rights [COM(2017)708]
+ Communication on 'Setting out the EU approach to Standard Essential Patents' [COM(2017)712]
+ Report on the functioning of the Memorandum of Understanding on the sale of counterfeit goods via the internet

+ Communication on 'Promoting a fair, efficient and competitive European copyright-based economy in the Digital Single Market' [COM(2016)592]
+ Proposal for a Directive on copyright in the Digital Single Market [COM(2016)593]

The European Commission published on 29 November 2017 a Communication setting up a package of measures to further improve the application and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPRs) across the European Union and beyond.

The Council of the European Union adopted a set of conclusions on this package of measures on 12 March 2018.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Factsheet, 29.11.17: Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement [FAQs] http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-4943_en.htm

European Commission: Press Release, 29.11.17: Intellectual property: Protecting Europe's know-how and innovation leadership http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-4942_en.htm

European Commission: Opening statements by Vice-President Jyrki Katainen and Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska at the press conference on Intellectual Property rights package http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-5028_en.htm

EUR-Lex: SWD(2017)430: Overview of the functioning of the Memorandum of Understanding on the sale of counterfeit goods via the internet http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2017:430:FIN

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 12.03.18: Enforcement of intellectual property rights: Council adopts conclusions http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/03/12/enforcement-of-intellectual-property-rights-council-adopts-conclusions/

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