IPRdaily - Intellectual Property Media with Global Influence IP Infringement a Major Threat to EU SMEs

IPRdaily - Intellectual Property Media with Global Influence IP Infringement a Major Threat to EU SMEs

 

Infringement of intellectual property rights (IPR) is a major risk for the profitability and survival of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), according to a joint report by the EUIPO, through the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 

The report ‘Risks of Illicit Trade in Counterfeits to Small and Medium-Sized Firms’, released on Tuesday 31 January also shows that SMEs whose intellectual property is violated are 34 % less likely to survive after 5 years. 

This is especially an issue for independent SMEs that are not part of a large corporate group and for SMEs that suffer from patent infringement. (...)