EUIPO Advances Efforts for a More Inclusive IP System Across Europe

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is stepping up cooperation within the European Union Intellectual Property Network (EUIPN) to promote a more inclusive intellectual property (IP) ecosystem. While inclusive access to IP is key to fostering innovation, economic growth, and cultural preservation, participation remains uneven, particularly among women and younger generations. Recent findings highlight these disparities: women accounted for only 24% of designers in the EU in 2021, according to the EUIPO Women in Design study, while WIPO’s Pulse Survey (2023) indicates lower levels of IP awareness among young people aged 18–24 compared to the general population.

To address these gaps, the European Cooperation Project ECP5 “Inclusive IP Landscape” brings together national and regional IP offices, alongside user associations, within a dedicated virtual community. The initiative focuses on developing practical, coordinated approaches to better engage women and the next generation active in business, innovation, and creative sectors.

The project recently delivered a report Inclusivity in IP, Business, and Innovation, providing a shared evidence base based on research from organisations such as the European Commission, European Patent Office (EPO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The report identifies key barriers and needs, while also outlining opportunities to improve participation through stronger partnerships and targeted outreach.

Building on these insights, ECP5 aims to advance concrete, sustainable strategies to foster a more inclusive and accessible IP system across Europe.