InfoCons Consumer Protection Announces the Launch of the First Intellectual Property Course from the Perspective of Consumer Protection at the EUIPO Observatory Plenary Session
Today, September 30, 2025, Sorin Mierlea, the President of InfoCons, is participating in the opening day of activities of the Plenary Meeting of the Observatory – European Office for Intellectual Property – EUIPO , held in Alicante, Spain. The Plenary Meeting takes place between 30 September – 1 October.
During one of the plenary sessions, InfoCons, represented by President Sorin Mierlea, announced an innovative step for Romania: starting in November this year, the launch of the First Intellectual Property Course from the Perspective of Consumer Protection. The program is primarily aimed at teachers in lower secondary education (grades V–VIII) and upper secondary education (grades IX–XII), with the goal of training them to provide students with essential knowledge about the role and importance of intellectual property protection in everyday life.
The course is designed to:
-
increase awareness and understanding of intellectual property;
-
provide practical and theoretical knowledge about intellectual property rights and their implications;
-
promote a positive and responsible attitude toward creativity and innovation;
-
challenge and dismantle negative perceptions and attitudes regarding the protection of intellectual property rights;
-
raise awareness among young consumers about the reasons and importance of IP protection;
-
empower students and teachers to make informed choices, especially in relation to the purchase of digital products and services.
This initiative aims to bring intellectual property closer to younger generations, contributing to the development of responsible consumers who understand the value and role of creativity in modern society. Through this effort, InfoCons continues to fulfill its mission of promoting education and consumer protection, integrating the field of intellectual property into a practical and accessible framework for schools and communities.
InfoCons Informs you – The Enkivers Digital Safe for YOU – Secure , Protected , and Encrypted , where only YOU have access !
InfoCons is an active member of the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) Observatory, playing a role e in the Civil Society Working Group within the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights. This involvement underscores InfoCons‘ commitment to addressing the challenges posed by intellectual property infringements across Europe.
At the national level, InfoCons has been a member since 2006 in the Working Group on Intellectual Property Issues under the coordination of the Prosecutor’s Office near the High Court of Cassation and Justice.
Starting in 2025, InfoCons became a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The significance of WIPO observer membership cannot be overstated, especially considering the strong link between consumer protection and intellectual property. This position enables InfoCons to monitor and contribute to international discussions on intellectual property rights that directly affect citizens, ensuring that consumers are safeguarded as the ultimate beneficiaries of products and services.
InfoCons and Its Work in the Field of Intellectual Property Rights
InfoCons is an active member of the EUIPO Observatory, contributing to the Civil Society Working Group of the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights. This involvement demonstrates InfoCons’ strong commitment to addressing the challenges posed by IP infringements across Europe.
Since its foundation, InfoCons has been consistently dedicated to educating and protecting consumers against the dangers associated with counterfeit products. These counterfeits, often of poor quality and unsafe, pose significant risks to consumer health and safety. To counteract this, InfoCons has organized and carried out numerous awareness campaigns over the years. These initiatives have played a key role in educating the public on how to identify counterfeit goods and in highlighting the broader implications of buying and using such products—from economic losses to supporting criminal activities.
Furthermore, in 2023, InfoCons launched the A.C.T.I.V.E. project, an initiative actively promoting the protection of intellectual property. Its main objectives include raising awareness among young Europeans about the importance of safeguarding IP rights and the negative effects of their infringement, reducing the consumption of counterfeit goods and illegally sourced digital content, and encouraging young generations to actively participate in protecting intellectual property rights.
InfoCons Consumer Protection informs you – The New European Media Freedom Act Entered into Force – Stay Informed with InfoCons Consumer Protection!
The InfoCons European App and the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
The InfoCons European App is a comprehensive tool designed to protect consumers. It provides real-time alerts from the European Union regarding non-compliant products, including counterfeit items that often fail to meet safety standards and pose significant risks to consumers. This functionality makes the app a critical resource in the fight against counterfeit goods, offering easy access to vital information.
By downloading the InfoCons European App from the App Store, Google Play, or App Gallery, young consumers gain direct and transparent access to daily updated alerts for non-food products, including details such as:
– product name;
– country concerned;
– risk level;
– product origin;
– date of alert entry into force;
– product image.
The app’s accessibility is further enhanced by its availability in 33 languages, ensuring it reaches a wide audience. It also includes a section listing useful and emergency numbers worldwide, making it a versatile resource for consumers everywhere. The SOS section works offline as well, allowing users to dial emergency numbers directly from the app without an internet connection.
Through this application, InfoCons continues to support consumers, providing quick alerts for non-food products across the European Union and introducing a new feature that allows users to search for counterfeit products in the Alerts section using keywords. With its commitment to innovation and intellectual property protection, InfoCons plays a crucial role in fighting counterfeiting and piracy—not only by raising public awareness but also by empowering consumers to recognize and report violations. This proactive approach contributes to building an environment where creativity and innovation are safeguarded from the threats posed by counterfeit and pirated goods.
What is the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)?
Stay informed with InfoCons Consumer Intellectual Property Protection!
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is responsible for managing trademarks and industrial designs at the European Union level, valid throughout the EU. These rights complement the protections provided by national legislation and are integrated into the international intellectual property system. Since 2012, EUIPO has also managed the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights and the Orphan Works Database.
Each year, the Office handles a considerable volume of applications—over 150,000 for trademarks and approximately 90,000 for designs and models—and promotes harmonization of practices among national IP offices in the Member States through the European Union Intellectual Property Network. By offering user-friendly digital tools, EUIPO aims to simplify procedures and increase efficiency, while positively impacting both businesses and the economy.
What is the EUIPO Observatory?
Stay informed with InfoCons Consumer Intellectual Property Protection!
The Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights was established in 2009, initially under the name European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy, within the European Commission. In 2012, responsibility for the Observatory was fully transferred to EUIPO (formerly OHIM), which provides its funding and technical support. Its role is to act as a hub for information and collaboration, bringing together public and private sector stakeholders to combat IP infringements through studies, projects, and dedicated tools.
Its structure includes specialized services such as law enforcement (cooperation, training, and tools), awareness and education, and a service focusing on challenges in the digital world. The Observatory’s network brings together representatives from Member States, the private sector, and civil society, as well as expert groups supporting project implementation. Although it has no direct law enforcement powers, the Observatory fosters cooperation and the exchange of best practices for the effective protection of intellectual property rights.
InfoCons Consumer Protection informs you – InfoCons – Consumer Protection now represents the interests of consumers in the World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO / Organisation mondiale de la propriété intellectuelle OMPI
Establishment and Development of EUIPO
Founded in 1994 as the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM), EUIPO was created under the Maastricht Treaty of 1993 as a decentralized EU agency, headquartered in Alicante, Spain. Initially, it was tasked with administering the European Union Trade Mark (then called the Community Trade Mark, CTM).
The Office began its activity with just five employees and soon received its first CTM registrations in 1996, surpassing expectations with over 43,000 applications by year’s end. This early success established EUIPO as a self-sustaining entity and a key player in the EU’s intellectual property landscape. By the late 1990s, EUIPO had expanded rapidly, laying the foundation for its permanent headquarters and creating essential divisions for oppositions, cancellations, and appeals.
Who Leads the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)? Stay informed with InfoCons Consumer Intellectual Property Protection!
EUIPO’s governance is based on a Management Board and a Budget Committee, each comprising representatives of the EU Member States, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. The appointment of the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Directors, and the Presidents of the Boards of Appeal is decided by the Council of the European Union. The Office enjoys legal, administrative, and financial autonomy, ensuring stability and independence.
Currently, EUIPO leadership includes:
-
João Negrão (Portugal) – Executive Director, since October 1, 2023
-
Edyta Demby-Siwek (Poland) – Deputy Executive Director, since January 1, 2025
-
Andrea Di Carlo (Italy) – Deputy Executive Director, since November 1, 2019
Expansion and Modernization of the European Union Intellectual Property Office
At the start of the 21st century, EUIPO experienced significant growth. After moving into its new headquarters, the agency introduced electronic filing for trademarks and began accepting applications for Registered Community Designs (RCD) in 2003. This period also coincided with the EU’s enlargement, as the Office integrated new Member States and languages into its system.
The launch of TMview in 2010 and Designview in 2012 revolutionized access to IP databases, while the creation of the EUIPO Academy in 2011 and the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights in 2012 extended the agency’s influence. The 2015 Trademark Reform Package modernized the system even further, coinciding with the rebranding of OHIM as EUIPO, reflecting its expanded responsibilities.
In recent years, EUIPO has continued to innovate and expand. By 2019, it had registered over two million trademarks, and in 2021 it was recognized as the most innovative IP office in the world. The Office has also introduced new services such as the Out-of-Commerce Works Portal and the Mediation Center, which offers alternative dispute resolution.
InfoCons Consumers Protection informs you – InfoCons – European Organization for Consumer Protection and the University of Bucharest Signed a Collaboration Protocol
Signature: InfoCons Intellectual Property Department
InfoCons – European Organization for Consumer Protection and Promotion of Programs and Strategies , a full member of the World Organization Consumers International , founding member of the Federation of Consumer Associations , and member of ANEC , Consumer Protection , Consumers Protection , Intellectual Property , Be an Example , Sustainable Development , Smart Deal , Green Deal , Alert , Alerts , Consumer Hotline , Sustainability , Environmental Protection , Choose Wisely, Read the Label , Take Action , Health , Trust , Sorin Mierlea , Cybersecurity , Insured , Insurance , Vocational School , EUIPO Observatory , Plenary Meeting
