Access to IPRs

The Global Innovation Forum is a nonprofit startup that connects entrepreneur, small business, corporate, development, and university communities with policymakers to explore the opportunities and challenges of engaging in the global marketplace.

A newly launched initiative in the United States – “Invent Together” – is an effort by universities, companies, organizations, and other stakeholders to collect data about the diversity gaps in invention and patenting, and to support public policy and other initiatives to close them. In particular, Invent Together aims to close the patent gaps for women, people of color, and low-income individuals. In doing so, the initiative aims to help close wage and wealth gaps, strengthen the U.S. economy, and develop new and different inventions. A focus of Invent Together is increasing the availability of data and research about the patent gaps.

Innovative SMEs are important drivers of economic growth, job creation, and innovation in every country.  These case studies from the EPO demonstrate how European SMEs, across sectors and countries, leverage IP rights for growth. It also highlights the challenges they face in securing, enforcing, and effectively managing their IP rights.