Observatory publications

The latest study in the series, Global Trade in Fakes: A Worrying Threat, analyses the scale of the worldwide trade in counterfeit goods. It is an update of two previous studies on this subject, publi ...More The latest study in the series, Global Trade in Fakes: A Worrying Threat, analyses the scale of the worldwide trade in counterfeit goods. It is an update of two previous studies on this subject, published in 2016 and 2019, respectively. This third study is based on the most recent customs seizures data available for 2019. It shows that imports of fakes into the EU have remained roughly constant between 2016 and 2019, at a value of around EUR 120 billion....Less

Tags: counterfeiting - ip rights

Cybersquatting involves bad faith registration and/or use of another company’s trade mark or other distinctive sign in a domain name, without having any legal rights or legitimate interests in that do ...More Cybersquatting involves bad faith registration and/or use of another company’s trade mark or other distinctive sign in a domain name, without having any legal rights or legitimate interests in that domain name. The purpose of this study was to quantify the phenomenon of cybersquatting and to describe the methods and the business models employed by cybersquatters, thus providing a basis for fighting the phenomenon more effectively....Less

Tags: counterfeiting - ip rights - infringements

In May 2021 the EUIPO presented “The economic impact of COVID-19 crisis on IPR-intensive industries” with data until December 2020, including indicators for all intellectual property rights (IPR), tra ...More In May 2021 the EUIPO presented “The economic impact of COVID-19 crisis on IPR-intensive industries” with data until December 2020, including indicators for all intellectual property rights (IPR), trade marks (TM), designs (DES), patents (PT) and copyright (CR). The Observatory will update IPR indicators quarterly to monitor the recovery phase during 2021 and beyond, for the European Union (EU) and four largest Member States....Less

Tags: copyright - design - patents - ip rights - trademark

This discussion paper explores new and existing trends whereby social media functionalities are misused to infringe IP rights directly, to support IP-infringing activities happening through other chan ...More This discussion paper explores new and existing trends whereby social media functionalities are misused to infringe IP rights directly, to support IP-infringing activities happening through other channels, or to provide information on such activities. It identifies some of the challenges faced by IP owners, law enforcement authorities and social media companies in addressing these trends. Most importantly, it lists the preventive and reactive good practices developed by social media services to counteract these trends....Less

Tags: enforcement - ip rights - best practices

As part of the annual Pan-European Media Campaign and to mark World Anti-Counterfeiting Day on 8 June, the EUIPO is pleased to launch the 2021 Awareness campaign RISKS AND DAMAGES POSED BY IPR INFRING ...More As part of the annual Pan-European Media Campaign and to mark World Anti-Counterfeiting Day on 8 June, the EUIPO is pleased to launch the 2021 Awareness campaign RISKS AND DAMAGES POSED BY IPR INFRINGEMENT IN EUROPE in all EU countries. The COVID 19 pandemic and the resulting rise in online shopping and accessing of digital content, has shed new light on the risks and damages posed by the infringement of intellectual property rights in Europe and put the dangers for consumers under a microscope....Less

Tags: consumers - counterfeiting - ip rights - digital content