Fact-finding mission to Georgia

On 10 to 11 April 2024, a delegation from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) travelled to Tbilisi, Georgia, to assess the state of the country’s intellectual property (IP) system. This included technical discussions to identify the priorities and stakeholder needs in preparation for the EU4IP project’s first working plan. Exchanges were held to identify each institution’s main challenges – including IP rights enforcement in Georgia – and to define possible support measures.

During the visit, the delegation met with representatives from the National Intellectual Property Centre of Georgia (Sakpatenti) and the EU Delegation to Georgia. Other stakeholders included the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the High Council of Justice, various Georgian government officials (the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the National Food Agency and Wine Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education and Science), the Georgian National Communications Commission, the General Prosecutor’s Office and user associations (the European Business Association and the IP Law Committee of the Georgian Bar Association).

This mission follows a series of EU4IP fact-finding missions with relevant stakeholders, including the fact-finding mission to Moldova on 20 to 22 February. The EU4IP project builds on the success of the EUGIPP project; implemented by the EUIPO from 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2023. This EU-funded project brought together Georgian, European and international stakeholders to assist the Georgian authorities and Sakpatenti in contributing to an adequate and effective level of IP rights protection and enforcement in line with European and international standards.