Chronicle of the Patent Office in Prague

Celebrating 105 Years: Intellectual Property Rights Protection Conference in Europe (10 September 2024)

To mark its 105th anniversary, IPO CZ hosted an international conference focusing on Intellectual Property Rights Protection in Europe. Guests were welcomed by the President of the Industrial Property Office, Josef Kratochvíl. Opening statements were delivered by Jana Havlíková, Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Innovation; Ondřej Chrást, Deputy Minister of Culture; Tomáš Dub, Deputy Minister for European Affairs; Martin Smolek, Director General for Legal and Consular Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); Petr Očko, Director General for Digitization and Innovation (Ministry of Industry and Trade); and Jindřich Fialka, Director General for Food Production (Ministry of Agriculture).

A panel discussion titled "Quo Vadis, Intellectual Property?" was held, featuring João Negrão, Executive Director (EUIPO), and António Campinos, President (EPO). Daren Tang, the Director General of WIPO, addressed the audience via video.

The panel was followed by a session titled "Education and Awareness – Keys to Success", with presentations by Habip Asan, Director, Division for Transition and Developed Countries (WIPO); Raquel Xalabarder, Director of the European Patent Academy (EPO); and Patricia García-Escudero, Director of the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights (EUIPO).

The event was hosted by Michala Hergetová, who served as the Master of Ceremonies. After the closing remarks, a gala evening took place in the representative environment of the Spanish Hall at Prague Castle.