Sorin Mierlea , President of InfoCons Consumer Protection for Intellectual Property , attends the IP in Education Network Meeting
Sorin Mierlea , President of InfoCons Consumer Protection for Intellectual Property , attends the IP in Education Network Meeting
Sorin Mierlea, President of InfoCons, is attending today, 27 October 2026, the first day of the IP in Education Network Meeting, organised by the European Union Intellectual Property Office – EUIPO.
The meeting takes place on 27 and 28 October 2026 in a hybrid format, at the EUIPO headquarters in Alicante, Spain, and online via Zoom.
The 2026 IP in Education Network Meeting brings together national intellectual property offices, ministries of education and other relevant education stakeholders to explore how intellectual property education can foster creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the educational journey, from primary and secondary education to higher education, professional training and beyond.
The discussions will also highlight how strong foundations in intellectual property awareness and competencies can contribute to Europe’s future innovation capacity and competitiveness.
InfoCons is an active member of the EUIPO Observatory and is involved in the activities of the Civil Society Working Group within the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights. This involvement highlights the organisation’s commitment to promoting information, education and respect for intellectual property rights at national and European levels.
At the national level, InfoCons has been a member of the Working Group on Intellectual Property Issues, coordinated by the Prosecutor’s Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice, since 2006.
Agenda for the first day – 27 October 2026
“Inspire & Exchange”
09:15–09:30 – Registration and online connection
09:30–09:40 – Welcome and opening remarks
Opening of the Network Meeting and presentation of the strategic ambitions for intellectual property education and its contribution to innovation, skills development and increased competitiveness across Europe.
09:40–10:15 – Inspirational Talk: “The Future of Education from School to University – Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators”
A forward-looking perspective on how education systems are preparing learners for a rapidly changing world.
10:15–10:45 – State of IP Education for Innovation 2026
Presentation of the activities carried out by the EUIPO Academy across the education and innovation ecosystem, including:
- intellectual property education for young people;
- integration of intellectual property into university curricula and entrepreneurship education;
- support for researchers and professionals working within Technology and Knowledge Transfer Offices;
- support for moving knowledge and research results from the laboratory to the market;
- intellectual property learning opportunities linked to the labour market;
- traineeship programmes.
10:45–11:00 – Inspirational Talk: “IP and the Creative Industries World”
An example of how copyright and intellectual property can be brought closer to the creative industries through culture, communication and targeted outreach, as well as through cooperation with educational institutions, universities, design schools, public authorities and partners from the creative sectors.
11:00–11:30 – Comfort break and EUIPO Learning Resources Corner
Participants will have the opportunity to explore the EUIPO Academy Library and Learning Portal, MOOCs and teaching materials through an interactive resource corner and QR-enabled materials.
11:30–12:15 – Panel Discussion: “From Policy to Practice – Strengthening IP Skills across Education, Research and Innovation”
A cross-sector discussion on translating public policies into concrete education and innovation outcomes.
The panel will explore how intellectual property can be embedded across schools, vocational education and training, higher education and research, and how universities, intellectual property offices, ministries and businesses can work together.
12:15–12:35 – Entrepreneurship Education Pilot Project
Presentation of a concrete example of entrepreneurship education across secondary and higher education, highlighting the role of intellectual property in innovative entrepreneurship and how intellectual property knowledge can help young people and university students turn their ideas into sustainable ventures.
12:35–14:00 – Lunch
14:00–16:00 – Innovation Labs
Participants will select one of the thematic laboratories and work in groups towards practical recommendations for the future activities of the Network.
Lab 1 – AI, Copyright and Intellectual Property
A hands-on laboratory on how artificial intelligence is changing authorship and protection, including practical rules for using and sharing AI-assisted content in teaching, learning and research.
Lab 2 – Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Exploring how intellectual property can be integrated into entrepreneurship education as a tool for innovation, value creation and economic growth.
Lab 3 – Creativity, Design and Intellectual Property
Developing practical ideas to foster creativity while helping learners understand how intellectual property can recognise, protect and support creative outcomes.
Lab 4 – Measuring Intellectual Property Competencies and Impact
Exploring how intellectual property knowledge and competencies can be defined and assessed and how they can be linked to innovation, entrepreneurship and learning outcomes.
16:00 – End of the first day
19:30 – Official dinner
The participation of Sorin Mierlea, President of InfoCons, in the IP in Education Network Meeting is part of the organisation’s efforts to support the education and information of young people in this field, the protection of creative works and the promotion of a culture based on responsibility, innovation and respect for intellectual property rights.
Signature: InfoCons Consumer Protection Department for Intellectual Property