The European Commission has published a public consultation on the
evaluation and modernisation of the legal framework for the enforcement
of intellectual property rights (IPR).
Тhe modernisation of IPR enforcement is among the actions envisaged in the European Commission’s Digital Single Market Strategy, with focus on commercial-scale infringements (the 'follow the money' approach) and its cross-border applicability.
The consultation aims to help assess the functioning of Directive 2004/48/EC on the enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPRED) in the online environment, with a view to identify the possible need for adapting such provisions and to propose corrective measures. It will gather experience on the use and impact of IPRED and also seek views and opinions from those concerned with the application of the Directive on its functioning and the possible need for amendments. It also aims to gather experience and opinions about the use and impact of so-called 'follow the money' initiatives in the area of IPR enforcement.
With this consultation the Commission seeks views from all interested parties, in particular:
- Rightholders
- Judiciary and legal profession
- Intermediaries
- Member States and public authorities
- Citizens, consumers and civil society
Their comments are being collected through 5 different questionnaires adopted for each of the groups above. The questionnaires are available in German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Polish while questions could be answered in any of the EU official languages.
The duration of the consultation is from 09.12.2015 until 15.04.2016.
Access the questionnaires here.