Chairman of Sakpatenti Met with Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Georgia

Mr. Soso Giorgadze, Chairman of the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia “Sakpatenti”, hosted Mr. Maurice Paulussen, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Georgia. 

At the meeting, Mr. Soso Giorgadze introduced to Mr. Maurice Paulussen the activity of Sakpatenti and the reforms implemented in the recent years, including  the legislative amendments made in the field of copyright and related rights, which have considerably improved the mechanisms of intellectual property protection in Georgia.

It is noteworthy that the corporate headquarters of one of the leading organizations in music industry – Universal Music Group – are located Hilversum, Kingdom of Netherlands. This music recording company has cooperated over the years with the most of the countries worldwide, including Georgia. 

During the meeting, Sakpatenti Chairman emphasized that Sakpatenti welcomes the activity of such powerful companies in Georgia. The parties also discussed certain challenges which emerged between Universal Music Group and the collective management organization of economic rights (GCA), functioning in Georgia before 2024. Mr. Soso Giorgadze noted that within its authority Sakpatenti will facilitate as much as possible proper protection of lawful interests of both local and international organizations working in the intellectual property field. 

It is very important that in near future a visit of th Vice-President of Universal Music Group is planned to Georgia. Meetings will also be held with representatives of Sakpatenti, as well as the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPOA).

It is known to the public that following the large-scale reform carried out in the field of management of copyright and related rights, in the competition announced for granting accreditation to a collective management organization of economic rights, the Accreditation Commission revealed the winner, as a result of which, on December 29, 2023, accreditation in the field of copyright and related rights was granted to the “Intellectual Property Owners Association” (IPOA).

The meeting held between the Chairman of Sakpatenti and the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Georgia was attended by Ms. Maia Todria, Economic Policy Officer, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ms. Salome Tsimakuridze, Head of the Administration Department, Sakpatenti, and Ms. Nino Jincharadze, Acting Head, International Relations and Protocol Division, Sakpatenti.