To Celebrate the World Intellectual Property Day, Sakpatenti Hosted Students from 13 Universities of Georgia

April 26 is the World Intellectual Property Day. On occasion of this date, Sakpatenti hosted students from 13 different universities at the Head Office in Mtskheta. 

At the event, the Chairman of the office, Mr. Soso Giorgadze, spoke to the students about the role of the youth in the development of the intellectual property field. He noted that in the period of innovations and new technologies, intellectual property is an important investment, which, in fact, determines the progress and development of the country in all key directions, whether economy, industry, agriculture, science or culture. Arousing interest in intellectual property among the youth, informing them about the recent developments in this field and deepening knowledge are prerequisites for the development of this area and, accordingly, a possibility of further improvement and elaboration of the intellectual property protection system. 

The theme of this year’s campaign of the World Intellectual Property Day is linked with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of intellectual property and covers building our common future through innovation and creativity. 

A representative of the USAID Economic Governance Program, Ms. Liana Akhobadze, also addressed the students. In her speech, she emphasized the topicality of the intellectual property field in the present-day world, rich in technological achievements and innovations, where the awareness of the youth, knowledge-based creativity and creative approaches will yield a better result of intellectual work and, hence, a better future of the country. 

During the event, the Heads of various Departments of Sakpatenti introduced to the students the activity of the office and the specificity of work, discussed individual subject-matters of intellectual property, mechanisms of their legal protection and registration conditions. The students got acquainted with such important directions of intellectual property as: trademarks, geographical indications, design and invention. They received extensive information on the challenges and tasks related to these subject-matters, peculiarities of examination and registration procedures, as well as infringement of exclusive rights and mechanisms of enforcement of protection. 

Sakpatenti constantly participates in supporting and facilitation of students. For this purpose, the office implements various courses, internship programs and educational projects, thus, helping students interested in the field of intellectual property to deepen their knowledge, acquire professional qualification and develop practical skills in this direction. 

It is noteworthy that, with the mediation of Sakpatenti, within the Pan-European Seal (PES) Program, graduates of Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University will pass internship at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Spain.

The meeting held on occasion of the World Intellectual Property Day was planned within the student project – “Career Development Camp”, implemented by the European Business Association (EBA), in cooperation with the Economic Governance Program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and the Solidarity Center.