Using the opportunities provided by the technical support project "Building more efficient and effective market surveillance and intellectual property systems for Latvia" financed by the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support of the European Commission and implemented by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), intellectual property management mechanisms and networks will be analysed and improved in order to promote creativity and innovation, protect investments and increase the competitiveness of Latvian small and medium-sized enterprises.
The research to be implemented in the frames of the project "Building More Effective and Efficient Market Surveillance and Intellectual Property Systems for Latvia" has begun with a visit of OECD experts to Latvia this week, and the project's opening event was held on Thursday, 12 October.
The Latvian Patent Office welcomes the start of the project, since its aim is to continue progress towards the established goal - to promote the institution’s visibility as an intellectual property competence centre in Latvia, at the same time strengthening its position and reputation on an international scale, not only by registering trademarks, designs and inventions, but also by supporting and stimulating the protection of intellectual property, as well as promoting public awareness of the importance of this protection.
Director of the Patent Office Agris Batalauskis noted: "Following the trends and developments in industry, the task of the Latvian Patent Office is to motivate entrepreneurs to consider protection of their intellectual property, as this is an essential prerequisite for the successful and safe commercialization of their inventions and products. At the same time, it is also an incentive to invest in new ideas and innovations. Only mutual understanding and cooperation can stimulate the overall growth of the national economy. Therefore, I am pleased with the opportunity given to the Latvian Patent Office to work together with OECD experts on the assessment of the Latvian intellectual property system, as it is of utmost importance for us to understand what further improvements it needs and what else should be done to raise public awareness and knowledge of this field and motivate entrepreneurs to protect and commercialize their intellectual property.”
The importance of intellectual property protection was emphasized by Florentin Blanc, a leading expert for the OECD project, stating that the intellectual property sector is the backbone of the European economy, and all European countries must protect intellectual property rights. Mr. Blanc stressed that the recommendations prepared during the project would provide an opportunity for stimulating innovation and improving the competitiveness of companies in Latvia.
The aim of the project in its intellectual property part is to support Latvia in improving the intellectual property ecosystem, strengthen the use of intellectual property, stimulate innovation, and improve the competitiveness of companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Intellectual property management mechanisms and networks must be improved in Latvia to promote creativity and innovation, protect investments, and increase the competitiveness of SMEs. At the project launch events, the representatives of intellectual property sector met with the OECD experts to discuss in detail the future course of the project.
The project will be implemented in two parts by exploring two systems in Latvia - intellectual property and market surveillance. As a result, proposals for reforms will be prepared for both areas. The total implementation period of the project is 24 months. It is carried out within the framework of the European Commission's Structural Reform Support project.