On Wednesday, 22 October, Agris Batalauskis, Director of the Latvian Patent Office (LPO), and Viesturs Kleinbergs, Chairman of the Riga City Council, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the European Union Intellectual Property Office's project “European Network of Authenticities”.
The MOU provides for cooperation between the Riga City Council and the LPO with the aim of raising awareness among Riga residents about intellectual property protection, educating them to form habits of buying authentic products on a daily basis, as well as promoting Riga as a city that recognizes products of authentic origin and does everything possible to combat counterfeits and their distribution.
Agris Batalauskis, LPO Director, noted: “I am pleased that Riga, as the capital of Latvia and a brand recognized throughout Europe, has joined the Network of Authenticities. Riga can be proud of its uniqueness, creativity, and authenticity. Therefore, it can rightfully be regarded as a messenger of authenticity by engaging in activities aimed at promoting awareness of the value and protection of intellectual property.”
“Riga has signed this MoU because we want to strengthen the understanding of the importance of authenticity and intellectual property in our city. Creative work, innovations and originality form the basis of both economic and cultural development. It is important that people are able to recognize and appreciate real values, understand how counterfeiting harms businesses and society as a whole. This cooperation will help Riga become a city that not only protects creativity, but also promotes a fair, reliable and innovative business environment,” emphasised Viesturs Kleinbergs, Chairman of the Riga City Council.
Implementing the project, both parties will co-organise various informative and educational events and activities to draw the public's attention to the importance of authentic and genuine products and services, creativity, intellectual property protection, recognition of counterfeit goods, etc.
The project aims to:
- inform Riga residents about the importance of intellectual property protection and encourage them to choose original products;
- promote Riga as a city that supports authenticity and actively fights against the spread of counterfeiting, also using the experience of other European cities;
- carry out public information campaigns on the value of industrial property and the risks posed by counterfeiting;
- organize training for Riga City Council employees on intellectual property rights;
- raise awareness of the importance of intellectual property at schools, universities and among representatives of the creative industries.
The first LPO's activity together with Riga as a member of the Network of Authenticities took place on 14 September 14 this year, when the LPO participated with an informative stand and activities in a Father's Day event organised by the Čiekurkalns Development Association. Various activities, including interactive and educational events, lectures for entrepreneurs and students, etc., are also planned in other Riga neighbourhoods.
The city of Riga is the third city from Latvia to join the European Network of Authenticities. Liepāja and Daugavpils were the first to join in 2023.
In total, 21 European cities are currently involved in this initiative.