Sorin Mierlea , the President of InfoCons Consumers Protection , attends the EUIPO Observatory Plenary Meeting

Sorin Mierlea , the President of InfoCons Consumers Protection , attends the EUIPO Observatory Plenary Meeting

On September 30, 2025, Sorin Mierlea, the President of InfoCons, participates in 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.

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.

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On the first day of the meeting, the agenda features the following :

09:45–10:25 | Welcome and Opening Remarks

• João Negrão, Executive Director, EUIPO

• Sune Stampe Sørensen, Director General, Danish Patent and Trademark Office, on behalf of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union

• Leire Pajín, Member of the European Parliament

• Nathalie Berger, Director, Competitiveness Coordination, DG GROW, European Commission

10:25–10:55 | Observatory – Overview of the Activities Carried Out in 2024/2025

Patricia García-Escudero Márquez, Director of the  Observatory , will present the main activities carried out during the past year. Stakeholders will be invited to take part in the presentation.

10:55–11:30 | Your Questions Answered by the European Commission

Mafalda Fortuna do Couto, Legal and Policy Officer, DG GROW, European Commission, will inform participants about current and future policy initiatives and their relation to the Observatory’s work.

11:30–12:10 | Coffee break and group photo

12:10–13:30 | IP Crime a Priority – What Next?

As IP crime remains a sub-priority within the EMPACT framework for the next four years, this discussion will address its policriminality nature, exploring links to public health, safety, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, environment, climate issues, and financial risks.

• Moderator: Patricia García-Escudero Márquez, Director, EUIPO  Observatory

• Panellists:

  • Davide D’Auria, Europol

  • Jose Luis Ferreira Trindade, Eurojust

  • Gerard Guiu Ribé, ANDEMA

  • Michael Spath, DG HOME, European Commission

  • Erling Vestergaard, EUIPO

13:30–15:00 | Standing Lunch

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15:00–15:30 | Stakeholders’ Presentations

• Anthi Akritidou, IFRRO

• Ariane Gatti, FESI

• Ioan Kaes, AEPO-ARTIS

• Sorin Mierlea, InfoCons

• Ignace Nédée, MPA

• Ināra Stalidzāne, Latvian Patent Office

15:30–16:30 | Building IP Skills Among the New Generation

The panel explores initiatives for building IP skills, including training programmes, awareness campaigns, and strategies to measure effectiveness.

• Moderator: Claire Castel, EUIPO

• Panellists:

  • Salvatore Nigro, JA Europe

  • Jeanette Okwu, BEYONDinfluence

  • Simona Petkova, DG EAC, European Commission

  • Elja Salmi, CUMULUS

  • Jasper van Loo, Cedefop

16:30 | Closing Remarks – Patricia García-Escudero Márquez, EUIPO

What is the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)? Stay informed with InfoCons – Consumer Protection in Intellectual Property!

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is responsible for managing trademarks and industrial designs at the level of the European Union, with protection valid across the entire EU territory. These rights complement those granted under national intellectual property laws and are integrated into the international IP 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 substantial volume of applications—over 150,000 for trademarks and approximately 90,000 for designs and models—and works to harmonize practices among national IP offices in the EU Member States through the European Union Intellectual Property Network. By offering user-friendly digital tools, EUIPO aims to simplify procedures and increase efficiency, while making a positive impact both on businesses and on the economy as a whole.

What is the EUIPO Observatory? Stay informed with InfoCons – Consumer Protection in Intellectual Property!

The Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights was created in 2009, originally 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 mission is to act as a hub of information and collaboration, bringing together public and private 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 in IP, as well as a unit focused on the challenges of the digital environment. The Observatory’s network brings together representatives of Member States, the private sector, and civil society, along with expert groups that support the implementation of projects. Although it does not have direct enforcement powers, the Observatory facilitates cooperation and the exchange of best practices for the effective protection of intellectual property rights.

Who Leads the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)? Stay informed with InfoCons – Consumer Protection in Intellectual Property!

EUIPO’s governance is based on a Management Board and a Budget Committee, each made up of representatives from 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, which ensures its stability and operational independence.

Currently, the leadership positions are held by:

• 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

On the occasion of the 2025 World Intellectual Property Day event, where the ENKIVERS Digital Safe was launched, Mr. Andrea Di Carlo, Deputy Executive Director of EUIPO – the European Union Intellectual Property Office – sent a video message for InfoCons. This video can be viewed below:

The participants at Plenary Meeting are the following :

Representative of the Presidency of the EU Council

• Danish Patent and Trademark Office – Denmark

European Parliament representatives

• European Parliament – Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats

• European Parliament – Patriots for Europe Group

• European Parliament – Europe of Sovereign Nations Group

• European Parliament – JURI Committee

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European Commission representatives

• European Commission – DG GROW

• European Commission – DG CNECT

• European Commission – DG EAC

• European Commission – DG HOME

• European Commission – DG TAXUD

Public sector representatives

• Federal Public Service Economy – Belgium

• Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria – Bulgaria

• General Directorate of Customs – Czech Republic

• Danish Patent and Trademark Office – Denmark

• German Patent and Trade Mark Office – Germany

• Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection – Germany

• Ministry of Finance – Estonia

• Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs – Estonia

• Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment – Ireland

• Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) – Greece

• Hellenic Ministry of Development / DIMEA – Greece

• Ministry of Culture – Spain

• Spanish Patent and Trademark Office – Spain

• Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle / Comité National Anti-Contrefaçon – France

• State Attorney’s Office – Croatia

• State Intellectual Property Office – Croatia

• Italian Patent and Trademark Office – Italy

• Customs & Excise Department – Cyprus

• Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia – Latvia

• Ministry of Culture – Lithuania

• Intellectual Property Office – Luxembourg

• Hungarian Intellectual Property Office – Hungary

• Malta Tax & Customs Administration – Malta

• Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy – Netherlands

• Federal Ministry of Finance – Austria

• Ministry of Culture and National Heritage – Poland

• Portuguese Institute of Industrial Property – Portugal

• Prosecutor’s Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice – Romania

• Prosecutor’s Office attached to Alba Iulia Court of Appeal – Romania

• Slovenian Intellectual Property Office – Slovenia

• Criminal Office of the Financial Administration – Slovakia

• Finnish Customs – Finland

• Swedish Intellectual Property Office – Sweden

Private sector representatives

• APRAM – Association of Trade Mark and Design Law Practitioners

• BUSINESS EUROPE – Confederation of European Business

• CEPI – European Audiovisual Production

• DOT Europe – Digital, Online and Tech in Europe

• ECA – European Crafts Alliance

• ECSA – European Composer and Songwriter Alliance

• ECTA – European Communities Trademark Association

• EPC – European Publishers Council

• EMMA-ENPA – European Newspaper Publishers’ Association

• ANDEMA – Asociación para la Defensa de la Marca

• ABAC-BAAN – Belgian Anti-counterfeiting Association

• ACG – Anti-Counterfeiting Group

• ACT – Association of Commercial Television

• AAPA – Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance

• APM – The German Anti-Counterfeiting Association

• ACT – The App Association

• AIM – European Brands Association

• AIPPI – The International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property

• CIOPORA – International Community of Breeders of Ornamental and Fruit Varieties

• FESI – Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry

• GESAC – European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers

• ICMP – International Confederation of Music Publishers

• IFPI – International Federation of the Phonographic Industry

• IFRRO – International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisation

• IMPF – Independent Music Publishers International Forum

• INDICAM – Per la tutela della proprietà intellettuale

• INTA – International Trademark Association

• IVF – International Video Federation

• MARQUES – Association of European Trade Mark Owners

• MPA – Motion Picture Association

• ORGALIM – Europe’s Technology Industries

• SAA – Society of Audiovisual Authors

• SACG – Swedish Anti-Counterfeiting Group

• SROC – Sports Rights Owners Coalition

• TIC Council

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Civil society representatives

• AEPO-ARTIS

• COMMUNIA – International Association on the Public Domain

• DECO – Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection

• InfoCons Association

• TaC – Together Against Cybercrime International

Observers

• CEPOL – European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training

• CPVO – Community Plant Variety Office

• EFAD – European Film Agency Directors Association

• EFTA – Norway

• EFTA – Switzerland

• EPO – European Patent Office

• FEP/FEE – Federation of European Publishers

• ECC-Net – European Consumer Centres Network

• EAASM/ASOP EU – European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines / The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacy in the EU

• EuroISPA – European Internet Services Providers Association

• Tobacco Europe

• UNIC – International Union of Cinemas

• UNIFAB – Union des Fabricants

• Eurojust – European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation

• Europol – European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation

• OECD – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

• UNICRI – United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute

• WCO – World Customs Organization

Other representatives

• BEYONDinfluence & European Influencer Marketing Alliance

• Cedefop – European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training

• CUMULUS

• JA Europe

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EUIPO representatives

• EUIPO – Executive Director

• EUIPO – Deputy Executive Director

• EUIPO – Observatory Department

• EUIPO – Academy Department

• EUIPO – Business Support Department

• EUIPO – Cooperation and Partnerships Department

• EUIPO – Corporate Strategy and Foresight Department

• EUIPO – Financial Management and Control Department

• EUIPO – Workplace Solutions Department

Signature: InfoCons Communication 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