International activities

In 2025, the DGPI-UIBM consolidated its role in the main European and international forums dedicated to Industrial Property, strengthening cooperation with bodies such as the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), the European Patent Office (EPO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), and actively contributing to the decision-making processes of their respective governance bodies.

The Directorate's international action developed along three main lines:

• institutional participation in management boards, general assemblies and thematic working groups;
• technical cooperation within European projects on the convergence of practices, digitalisation and harmonisation of procedures;
• support for businesses, particularly SMEs, through both policy-driven and financial support instruments.

A particularly significant development was the operational launch, on1 December 2025, of the new European protection system for Geographical Indications for craft and industrial products. In this context, the DGPI-UIBM was designated as the competent national authority for the national phase of title registration, which required intensive coordination with EUIPO and the European Commission (DG GROW), as well as a strengthening of awareness-raising initiatives targeted at producers.