Participants in the opening discussion of the National Forum on Intellectual Property and Innovation discussed how international practices strengthen the protection of the rights and promote Ukraine’s integration into the EU single market.
The IV National Forum on Intellectual Property and Innovation “Intellectual Property: Law, Economy, Technology” (IP LET Forum 2025), took place in Kyiv, brought together international experts and representatives of government, business, science, and innovative and creative industries.
The first session of the event – “Ukraine on the IP map of the world” – covered the following important issues:
The discussion panel was moderated by Bogdan Paduchak, First Deputy Director of the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UANIPIO/IP Office), who, opening the session, emphasized the relevance of the session’s topic for the present and future of Ukraine:
“We are focused on the role of intellectual property in strengthening the resilience of the State, modernizing the economy, and implementing our course towards membership in the European Union.
The full-scale, unprovoked war of aggression of the russian federation against our State has demonstrated the critical importance of protecting cultural identity, developing innovations, supporting the inventors and technological solutions, and the State’s ability to protect its content and its authors. At the same time, the war has given us the momentum to become more involved in global discussions and to activate and expand international partnerships.
On the modern IP map of the world Ukraine is looking for new business opportunities, new resources, and tools to counter aggression and hostile propaganda. At the same time, we are going through a difficult but extremely important stage – preparing for negotiations on EU accession. This includes aligning legislation and law enforcement practices in the field of intellectual property with the requirements of Chapter 7 “Intellectual Property Law” of Cluster 2 “Internal Market.”
That is why today’s panel is dedicated to how the Ukrainian IP system is evolving, how it is integrating into the European legal and digital space, and what role our national and international partners play in this.”
Further, the floor was given to the session participants.
In particular, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Olena Kovalska emphasized the role of Ukrainian-language content in shaping national identity and strengthening the country’s humanitarian security:
“The issue of Ukrainian-language content is extremely relevant today, because during the years of war, we have rethought Ukrainian identity itself in a new way. Important changes have already taken place in the State, showing that the humanitarian direction is strengthening. The entire humanitarian bloc of the government is now under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy, which brings the issue of identity to a systemic level. The Coordination Council on Ukrainian National Identity has begun its work, which is also a sign that the State considers Ukrainian identity to be an element of national security.
This is fully supported by the President and the Office of the President. There is an initiative, which we hope will be implemented next year. Its goal is to significantly increase the amount of Ukrainian content. This supports identity, but it also has an economic goal: to make creative industries a full-fledged, legal player in the economy and to replace russian-language content, which still partially remains in our information field.
In order for such changes to be successful, it is important that the legal framework for this process is civilized and synchronized with European legislation. The legal framework should not restrain, but rather — strengthen the humanitarian direction and new content policy.
That is why the issue of intellectual property is key and we are implementing joint projects with UANIPIO and working to make these changes systemic.”
Oleksandr Tsybort, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture for Digital Development, Digital Transformation, and Digitalization, emphasized the importance of the draft “Strategy for the Development of Intellectual Property in Ukraine until 2030” for ensuring the transparency and efficiency of the State’s modern IP system and its alignment with EU standards.
To recall, this draft was developed by the Ministry of Economy using WIPO methodology with the involvement of UANIPIO, national and international experts. Public discussion of the draft has begun recently.
“Every day Ukraine fights not only for its freedom, but also for its place in the global economy. Despite the war, we must demonstrate dynamic development and implementation of important reforms. This confirms that our State is maintaining its integrity and moving forward.
We understand that European integration is not just about changing legislation. It is a process of reengineering, changing policies and developing modern digital tools that will form the basis of the future system. The EU’s intellectual property system is based on speed, automation, and transparency. Therefore, the Ministry of Economy together with UANIPIO is already implementing a course of technical compatibility with the European IP Network.
Direct access to European databases means fewer barriers and the ability to enter the market faster, i.e., a direct acceleration of business processes. It also means greater visibility for Ukrainian trade marks, designs, and patents. And, of course, it affects the growth of investment attractiveness owing to the digital footprint of assets, where intellectual property is the greatest value.
So there is a lot of digitalization in our Strategy. I urge everyone to join in the public discussion. It sets out a comprehensive framework for intellectual property market reform, bringing together business, government, science, experts, and creative industries. Its main vision is that intellectual property in Ukraine is respected, used, and protected, and that IP is the foundation for innovative development and recovery,” the speaker pointed out.
Galyna Grygorenko, First Deputy Minister for Culture of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of intellectual property protection in the context of artists’ rights:
“Protecting artists’ rights is about dignity. It is about decent working conditions, confidence in the future, and ensuring that your ideas will not be misused by others. It is about mutual respect and changing attitudes towards each other in society. Therefore, our sectoral Cultural Development Strategy 2025–2030, which was adopted in March 2025, pays considerable attention to copyright. After all, intellectual property is one of the ways for cultural institutions to develop and monetize. In addition, it is very important to raise awareness among artists, so we are now incorporating the necessary competencies into updated educational programs: how to register, protect, and monetize their intellectual rights.”
Olena Orliuk, Director of UANIPIO, thanked international partners — WIPO, EUIPO, the European Patent Office (EPO), and the European Commission — for their consistent support of Ukraine, as well as the entire Ukrainian IP community for their daily work, which ensures the progress of intellectual property even in the difficult conditions of war. The speaker emphasized that the progress achieved by the national IP system in recent years has been made possible owing to the joint efforts of the State, business, experts, and international partners:
“Ukraine has made significant progress in harmonizing its legislation with European law. Currently, four draft laws — on copyright, trademarks, inventions and utility models, and the protection of trade secrets — are under review by the European Commission. The National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis for 2026–2027 also includes planned changes concerning industrial designs, geographical indications, collective management, and IP rights protection.
We are working simultaneously on developing our services, law enforcement practices, expertise, and mediation procedures. Ukraine needs institutions that are capable of responding quickly and effectively to challenges related to intellectual property, new technologies, and updated European requirements. Therefore, our task is to build an effective infrastructure for protecting rights.
An important area is business support: this year, we launched regional programs to reimburse the costs of registering intellectual property rights, which are already taking action in the Kyiv region and in Lviv, and we plan to gradually scale them up to the whole country. IP tools can also be integrated into the “Own Business” program so that entrepreneurs can use them to develop and monetize their products.
We are preparing businesses, creative industries, innovators, start-ups, and IP specialists for new European standards. After a long pause, the first 76 patent attorneys were successfully certified, and we began systematic work on improving qualifications. At the same time, we are moving towards the introduction of the European trademark registration procedure, which will reduce the time frame to 3–4 months and enhance technical compatibility with European infrastructure.
Intellectual property is a key element of innovative development, competitiveness, and resilience of the country.
I am confident that next year we will be able to demonstrate even stronger results. Ukraine is moving forward, forming a modern, transparent, and European intellectual property system.”
Nicola Sibona, Head of Trade and Economic Section, EU Delegation to Ukraine, joined the discussion. The speaker emphasized the EU’s role in supporting reforms and Ukraine’s rapprochement with the single market:
“The European Union highly appreciates Ukraine’s progress in aligning its legislation with EU standards, especially given that these changes are taking place during the russian federation full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. Intellectual property is a key element of Ukraine’s integration into the single market, as it provides protection for creators, incentives for innovation, and investor confidence.
We support the legislative changes that have already been implemented and emphasize that effective IP protection is impossible without proper law enforcement. It is necessary to strengthen the fight against counterfeiting, develop a collective management system, and strengthen the institutions responsible for protecting rights.
Ukraine has strong innovative and creative potential, which, even despite the war, is showing impressive results. This must be protected and developed, and the European Union is ready to continue supporting Ukraine on this path. We welcome the progress made and look forward to even greater dynamics next year.”
Edyta Dęmbi-Siwek, Deputy Executive Director of EUIPO, also spoke, joining the discussion online. The speaker noted the importance of cooperation with Ukraine in the field of intellectual property:
“Digital tools – TMview, DesignView, Common Practices of the European IP Network – are the foundation of the modern IP system, as they ensure transparency, predictability, and uniform standards for businesses and rights holders. Ukraine’s full accession to these services will strengthen legal certainty and integration into the single market.
But technical tools are not enough – sustained cooperation is needed. Cooperation between EUIPO and the Ukrainian IP Office allows us to transfer knowledge, strengthen institutional capacity, and adapt digital solutions to Ukraine’s needs.
Harmonization of legislation and compliance with Chapter 7 are crucial for supporting innovation and creative industries, as well as for increasing investment attractiveness. Ukraine has demonstrated significant commitment to this path, even in the difficult conditions of war. We will continue to support you in building a modern and sustainable IP system that is fully compatible with European standards.”
Another participant in the session Ilja Rudyk, Senior Economist at EPO, focused in his speech on the resilience of Ukraine’s innovation ecosystem and the prospects for Ukraine’s integration into the European patent space:
“Ukraine is demonstrating impressive innovative dynamics even during years of the russian federation full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. Universities, startups, and scientists continue to transform ideas into real technological solutions, and the activity of Ukrainian inventors at the international level is growing. Between 2015 and 2024, Ukrainian applicants filed more than 200 applications with the European Patent Office, and nearly 50 last year alone. This demonstrates Ukraine’s deeper integration into the European innovation ecosystem.
Despite the war, cooperation between the EPO and Ukraine has not stopped. We are investing in training specialists, providing access to the latest digital tools, and helping to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ukrainian patent system. Our common priorities are the development of human capital, the modernization of services, and the gradual convergence with European patent standards.
The door to the European patent ecosystem must be open to Ukrainian inventors. Each application they submit is an act of optimism and proof that Ukraine’s innovation is alive, strong, and focused on the future. The EPO will continue to be your reliable partner.
The session was concluded by Mihaela Cerbari Simmons, Project Officer for the CEBS and Mediterranean Countries Section of the Transitional and Developed Economies Division of WIPO. The speaker emphasized the strategic nature of the partnership between WIPO and Ukraine:
“We have been cooperating with Ukraine for many years and are currently focused on key areas – harmonization of legislation, modernization of infrastructure, digitization of IP services, and support for inventors, universities, startups, and businesses. Our goal is to help Ukraine rebuild and strengthen its intellectual property system, which has been significantly impacted by the war. Ukraine has strong human resources, dynamic creative industries, a powerful IT sector, and modern digital IP infrastructure. WIPO will continue to support Ukraine in law enforcement, digital transformation, collective management development, and SME assistance. Your adaptability and perseverance command deep respect, and we remain by your side to walk this path together.”
The full video of the session can be viewed on the IP Office YouTube channel:
For reference:
IP LET Forum 2025 is a space where intellectual property is viewed as a resource for economic recovery, innovation, and cultural resilience in Ukraine. The event demonstrates that Ukraine is an active player on the global IP map and a bearer of unique practices in the fields of innovation, culture, and technology.
The forum is organized by UANIPIO under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine in cooperation with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the EU-funded EU4IP project “Strengthening Intellectual Property Rights in Moldova and Ukraine.” The event is supported by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO).
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