An International Conference, Organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Sakpatenti, is Held in Tbilisi, with the Participation of 14 European Countries

An International Conference of the Central European and Baltic States and Mediterranean Countries, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Sakpatenti, is held in Tbilisi, at the Sheraton Metekhi Palace Hotel. The participants of the Conference discuss the role of design, one of the most important intellectual property subject-matters in modern economy, as well as important aspects of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty (RDLT) and the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs. The Conference brings together 14 European states (the Czech Republic, Poland, Albania, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,  Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Georgia). The event also features high-ranking guests from the WIPO, specially invited Professor from the University of Cambridge, and well-known Georgian and foreign designers.

The Conference was opened with a welcome address by Mr. Levan Zhorzholiani, Head of the Government Administration, Government of Georgia. Opening addresses were also delivered by Ms. Tinatin Rukhadze, Minister, Ministry of Culture of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Gabunia, Chairperson of the Culture Committee, Parliament of Georgia, Ms. Baia Kvitsiani, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, as well as by Mr. Soso Giorgadze, Chairman of Sakpatenti, and Mr. Marcus Höpperger, Senior Director, Department for Trademarks, Designs and Geographical Indications, Brands and Designs Sector, WIPO. Mr. Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO, addressed the participants remotely from Geneva.

At the event, attention will be focused on the importance of design protection in the development of entrepreneurship and creative industries, which will facilitate incentivizing of innovations, strengthening of the competitive environment and attraction of investments. The session will look at the effect of design on economies in the region and beyond.

It is noteworthy that on the initiative of Sakpatenti, domestic procedures have already been started for accession of Georgia to the Riyadh Treaty, which will be an important step in the process of the development of the intellectual property system of the country and its approximation to the international standards. 

In parallel with the Conference sessions, an exhibition of works of Georgian designers is held for participants,  where well-known national brands such as “Avtandil”, “Eshvi”, “Dalood” and “Samoseli Pirveli” are presented. The exposition also shows Georgian traditional clothing and specimens of jewelry from the Ministry of Culture of Georgia and the Art Palace of Georgia – Museum of Culture History.