IPR Guide for European SMEs in the Ceramics Industry

The European ceramics industry is diverse in terms of products, technology, and end-use, characterised by a large number of SMEs producing unique ceramic products. In recent years this industry has witnessed an influx of comparable low-cost ceramics products, sometimes copies of designs developed in the EU. A significant number of these ‘copied’ European-designed products are imported from China. As these imports increase, China’s system of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and enforcement will play a more crucial role in helping European SMEs protect their products in their home markets. Defence of IPR can be a challenge and requires commitment to an integrated IPR protection strategy at home and in the country of origin of the infringements.