The World Design Organization (WDO) has announced that the city of Alicante has been shortlisted, together with Tokyo, to hold the 33rd World Design Assembly (WDA) in 2023.

The IP in Education project, which aims to encourage creativity, entrepreneurship and responsible digital engagement among young Europeans, has recently expanded its network to include more key organisations in the European education sector and beyond. This news follows the extension of the project’s target audience for 2021-2025 to include tertiary education in addition to primary and secondary education.

In the latest video update from the EUIPO’s Executive Director, Christian Archambeau, we hear about the successful DesignEuropa Awards, and how they reflect the wider world opening back up after a long time dormant.

Following spectacular growth over the past decade, which accelerated during the COVID‑19 pandemic, e‑commerce is now becoming a key platform for consumers in developed countries to buy counterfeit goods.

Today, at the spectacular EVOLUON in the Dutch capital of design, Eindhoven, the eyes of Europe were focused squarely on design. Our eight finalists, chosen from hundreds of submissions, showed us all what great design is all about – Style, functionality and innovation.

The EUIPO’s Customer Panel on Smart IP services met on 15 October to exchange views on how the EUIPO can better meet its customers’ needs with advanced IP online solutions.

On 21 October, the ‘Africa IP SME Helpdesk’ will be launched in Rome, under the auspices of the EU-African SME Summit 2021. From this date, EU businesses will be able to find detailed and practical information on African intellectual property matters at the Helpdesk’s online hub, and address specific questions to the Helpdesk.

The SME Fund, the EUIPO’s initiative that grants financial aid for intellectual property (IP) matters, will be also open throughout October.

On 29 and 30 September, the Observatory annual plenary meeting gathered approximately 180 stakeholders both in Alicante and online. It was a welcome opportunity to discuss challenges and achievements of the year. The Observatory plenary was the first EUIPO presential event hosted in 18 months.

The aim of Alicante News is to provide up-to-date information on EUIPO-related matters, as well as on other general IP issues, to the users of the EU trade mark and design registration systems.