The International IP Enforcement Summit held in Athens in June 2025 served as a pivotal moment in shaping the future of intellectual property (IP) protection in Europe. With the presence of key stakeholders from law enforcement, regulatory agencies, rights holders, and technology platforms, the International IP Enforcement Summit 2025 highlighted several strategic initiatives and announcements. Here are the main takeaways from the event:
1. IP crimes are now part of the EMPACT 2026-2029 cycle
The summit’s timing was no coincidence. Just days before, on 13 June 2025, the inclusion of IP crimes in the 2026-2029 cycle of EMPACT – the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats – was officially approved. EMPACT brings together EU Member States and agencies like EUROPOL, Frontex, Eurojust, and OLAF, in a coordinated effort to tackle serious cross-border crime. This inclusion marks a major step in strengthening the EU’s resolve to address IP-related offences as part of its broader security strategy.
2. Launch of the mobile IP Enforcement Portal (IPEP) App
Coinciding with the summit, on 12 June 2025, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) launched a mobile application for its IP Enforcement Portal (IPEP). Law enforcement authorities at both the national and EU level can now request access for their front-line officers to use the mobile app, improving real-time access to IP data and enhancing coordination in enforcement activities across the EU.
3. New Authentic View Platform to tackle counterfeiting
EUIPO also announced the upcoming launch of the Authentic View Platform, expected in the coming months. This tool will allow brand owners to create digital twins of their products using NFTs (non-fungible tokens). These digital representations can be tracked via blockchain technology throughout the entire supply chain – from production to the end consumer. Each participant in the chain, including customs, transporters, and retailers, will be able to scan and verify the product’s authenticity. This innovation is positioned as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against counterfeiting.
4. Artificial Intelligence and its role in IP protection
AI was a central theme at the summit, with discussions exploring both its potential and its risks. On one hand, AI-powered tools are enabling rights holders to detect and remove counterfeit goods online – often before they even reach consumers. Many platforms reported that 80-90% of counterfeits are proactively removed thanks to such technology.
On the other hand, AI poses new challenges, particularly for copyright holders, whose works may be used in the training of generative AI systems. In response to these concerns, the EUIPO announced the creation of the EUIPO Copyright Knowledge Centre, set to launch in November 2025. The centre will allow copyright owners to register their opt-out rights from text and data mining, as permitted by the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market.
5. E-commerce and IP Protection
E-commerce marketplaces also took the stage, presenting their current efforts to protect intellectual property rights. These include:
- Proactive takedowns using AI algorithms to intercept counterfeit listings before they go live.
- Rapid response systems to takedown notices from rights holders.
- Offline investigations in cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
These developments signal a greater alignment between digital platforms and enforcement bodies, aimed at curbing the spread of IP-infringing goods online.
Article by Veronica Floroiu. If you’d like to discuss the contents of this article or enquire about our IP services, please email us via this link.