14 | 10 | 2019

EUIPO’s Reports on Statistical Indicators in the Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights and on IPR-Intensive Industries

Photo: Freeimages.com/linusb4

Let us inform you on two new studies published in the past period by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) through its European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights.

The first study indicates trends in the enforcement of intellectual property rights and it is titled “Report on the EU Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights: Results at EU Borders and in Member States 2013 – 2017”; it represents the first joint analysis of two sources of data, namely, detentions (temporary seizure) of goods at EU borders collected by customs authorities with the aid of the European Commission’s service (DG TAXUD) and published in the IP Enforcement Portal and on detentions within their national markets by 24 of the 28 Member State enforcement authorities. The report allows an overarching view of the detentions of fake products in the European Union as to the volume, the estimated value and the product subcategories (types) detained in the European Union.

According to the study, the number of fake items detained in the European Union from 2013 to 2017 was 438 million items; 30- 40% of these were detained at EU borders, and the rest in the national markets. The estimated value of fake items amounted to some EUR 12 billion. In terms of the number of items detained, most common subcategories were clothing accessories, toys, recorded CDs/DVDs and cigarettes, whereas in terms of estimated value of the items reported, the top subcategories identified were clothing accessories and recorded CDs/DVDs, but also watches, bags, wallets and purses. The Report shows that trade mark infringement predominates (it accounts for 70% of cases).

Both the study and the executive summary in Croatian are available via the following link.

The second study published was also of great significance as it shows contribution made to the EU economy growth and competitiveness by IPR-intensive industries. The study is titled “IPR-Intensive Industries and Economic Performance in the European Union”, and it was prepared upon research carried out jointly by the EUIPO and the European Patent Office (EPO). This is the third edition in a row of such studies (the first one having been published in 2013, and the second one in 2016).

The present study refers to the period from 2014 to 2016, and it aims to provide an updated assessment of the combined contribution of industries that make intensive use of the various types of intellectual property rights (IPRs) to the economy of the EU as a whole as well as those of individual European countries. In addition, to complement the data for the 28 EU member states, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland have been included in this study.

One of the main findings of the study indicates that there are now 353 IPR-intensive industries in the EU economy. Approximately two thirds of these industries are intensive in respect of more than one IP right. These industries generated 29.2% of all jobs in the EU or they employed almost 63 million people in the EU. They generated almost 45% of total economic activity (GDP) in the EU, and the wages paid to employees in these industries are estimated to exceed by even 47% in relation to other sectors.

The study includes data relevant for the Republic of Croatia as well (infographics); the entire study and the executive summary in Croatian are available via the following link.