IPR in Times of Crisis: Lessons Learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic

Welcome to the 40th ATRIP Congress. The theme of this online Congress is “IPR in Times of Crisis: Lessons Learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic”.

The pandemic provides a unique prism to observe how the various IPR frameworks can encourage innovation while ensuring access in times of crisis: Did the flexibilities in the international legal framework provide an acceptable global response?  Did patents spur the technological breakthrough when most desperately needed or, rather, mainly prevent or delay the rollout of vaccines to all? When the world needed access to teaching materials, public information, and culture online, how did copyright holders respond? The pandemic led to a boom in online shopping, but did platforms do enough to protect holders of trade marks and consumers against counterfeits? Should the flood of trade mark applications associated with the pandemic for non-medical related goods be seen as a sign of entrepreneurial spirit or as a violation of trade mark law?

The 40th ATRIP Congress takes stock of the lessons learned so far from how the IPR system has fared in response to the unprecedented global crisis, which continues to unfold and impedes us once more from meeting in person

We regret that the pandemic prevents us from holding the conference in Copenhagen as originally intended. I would have very much liked to welcome you personally to my hometown and university! However, in these times, the health and safety of our members, their families, and our communities must remain our highest priority. Concurrently, holding the Congress virtually allows for access to speakers and audience from all-over the world and is a great opportunity for the ATRIP community to meet and to share our research, experiences, hopes and concerns.

I look forward to welcoming you virtually to the Congress and hope you enjoy the 40^th annual ATRIP Congress. 

 Jens Schovsbo, Professor, University of Copenhagen

ATRIP President

president@atrip.org