From 19 to 23 February, experts from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) were on visit in Latvia to gather information for the research report on the intellectual property (IP) system in Latvia.
The OECD experts met with Agris Batalauskis, Director of the Latvian Patent Office (LPO), the heads of LPO structural units, and leading experts. Meetings were also held with the heads and leading experts of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Economy, Latvian Investment and Development Agency, University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, Riga Stradins University, and other public authorities.
After the visit, the OECD experts will continue with the preparation of the report and the recommendations for the improvement of the IP system in Latvia. The report is expected to be completed by September 2024.
The work on the research report started in autumn 2023 within the framework of the project on Building More Effective and Efficient Market Surveillance and Intellectual Property Systems for Latvia, financed by the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support of the European Commission. The project will be implemented in two parts by exploring two systems in Latvia - IP and market surveillance. As a result, the proposals for reforms will be prepared for both areas. The total implementation period of the project is 24 months.
The aim of the IP part of the project is to support Latvia to improve the IP ecosystem, strengthen the IP use, stimulate innovation, and improve the competitiveness of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).