With great success, the largest high-level international event in Europe regarding the enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights was held in Athens for two days (12–13/06/2025), at the Megaron Concert Hall in Athens
The unique international Summit of its kind was organized by:
- the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO),
- the European Commission,
- the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI),
- and the Interagency Market Control Unit (DIMEA) of the Ministry of Development.
320 delegates participated in person, while more than 350 interested parties from important European and international decision-making bodies, law enforcement authorities, multinational companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), consumer representatives, etc., followed the Summit’s proceedings via livestream. Discussions focused on ways to improve the protection of Intellectual Property rights, to combat piracy and the counterfeiting of products in the EU and worldwide.
On the opening remarks and during side discussions of the Summit, the following statements were recorded:
The Director General of OBI, Panagiotis Kanellopoulos, stated:
“Our discussions these days in Athens emphasized that law enforcement must keep up with the ever-changing face of Intellectual Property crime. This means cooperation—beyond borders, sectors, and specialties. From the utilization of technology and data exchange, to strengthening education and consumer awareness, the way forward must be holistic and coordinated. Intellectual Property crime is not a crime without victims. It harms innovation, undermines legitimate businesses—especially our small and medium-sized enterprises—and increasingly poses a direct threat to public health and safety. That is why we are especially pleased that IP crime remains a consistent priority on the EU’s law enforcement agenda. IP crime is included in the priorities of the EMPACT policy cycle for the period 2022–2025, and the law enforcement operations supported by EMPACT have yielded impressive and substantial results.
In fact, just today, 13/06/25, EU Home Affairs Ministers adopted the new EMPACT priorities for the 2026–2029 cycle. We are pleased—and reassured—to see that IP crime is included as a sub-priority under the category “Economic and Financial Crimes.”
This decision sends a clear message: the EU continues to recognize the impact of IP crime not only on the economy but also on public safety, consumer trust, and the competitiveness of our industry. We firmly believe that the EMPACT framework plays a crucial role in mobilizing not only law enforcement authorities but also a wide range of stakeholders in Member States—collaborating to combat both counterfeiting and piracy.”
The Executive Director of EUIPO, João Negrão, stated:
“The value of Intellectual Property rights for innovation and competitiveness depends on our collective ability to enforce them. It is an economic challenge and a significant social responsibility. The decision of the Council a few days ago (https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/06/13/council-defines-eu-crime-fighting-priorities-for-next-years/pdf/) to maintain IP crime among the seven European priorities for combating serious and organized crime for the four-year period 2026–2029 confirms that we are already addressing the right challenges. In 2024 alone, the European crime-fighting framework, the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), which brings together Member States, European, and international stakeholders, led to over 12,000 arrests and the seizure of assets and goods worth €1 billion. I am convinced that cooperation is the foundation for stronger enforcement of rights in the digital age, and EUIPO is strengthening its international presence through IP Alliances, flexible partnerships with like-minded organizations and Intellectual Property offices.”
The Deputy Minister of Development, Lazaros Georgiou Tsavdaridis, stated:
“Our geographical location, at the crossroads of three continents, makes our country a crucial gateway for trade. But this location also brings challenges—especially the illegal trafficking of counterfeit and pirated products. The Next Battle must be fought on the issues of Information and Awareness, and we must be honest: the weakest link today is the consumer. If we continue to overlook society’s role in the market for counterfeit products, then we are fighting with our hands tied. We cannot place a police officer behind every consumer. We must get the message across: Intellectual Property is not just a legal issue—it is a social and economic issue. Protecting it does not only concern Patents and Trademarks, it concerns trust itself: Trust in the market, Trust in institutions, Trust in creativity and innovation.”
The Secretary General for Commerce & Consumer Protection, Sotirios Anagnostopoulos, in his greeting, mentioned that:
“At the Ministry of Development, within the framework of the General Secretariat of Commerce & Consumer Protection, we are continuously working to improve regulations and the national legislative framework concerning Trademarks and the broader protection of Intellectual Property. For this reason, we work very closely and meaningfully with DIMEA and OBI, because the protection of Intellectual Property is not a bureaucratic function. It is a strategic, imperative mandate. It acts as the guardian of innovation, supports entrepreneurship, and safeguards consumers.”
The Director of the Interagency Market Control Unit (DIMEA), Spyros Peristeris, referred to a new tool that is being added to DIMEA’s arsenal for the oversight of online shops, called “NEMESIS”, and added: “With this tool, through the appropriate legislative regulations and in cooperation with domain providers, the legality of online shops will be monitored with regard to the completeness of the mandatory general information provided under Article 4 of Presidential Decree 131/2003 (A’ 116). Through this tool, Transparency Seals will be provided—under the right safeguards—which will aim to control and ensure the security of online transactions between businesses and consumers. Additionally, with the help of AI, counterfeit products that are frequently sold in these shops as authentic—deceiving consumers and putting their health and safety at risk—will also be detected.”
Mr. Peristeris presented data regarding enforcement actions, highlighting their importance for the economy, the safety and health of consumers, and the wider public in Greece. Specifically, from 01.01.2025 to 08.06.2025, a total of 11,437 inspections have been carried out, 721 violations recorded, and fines amounting to €2,098,040 have been imposed. At the same time, online shops are also being monitored: from 01.01.2025 to 08.06.2025, 631 online shops have been inspected, and 39 pages have been taken down.
The attending delegates also had the unique opportunity to watch a live performance by renowned designer JOHN PAN, titled “ORIGINAL: A Choreographic Manifesto”.
Professional dancers performed a choreography using confiscated counterfeit products and presented, in the form of a flash mob, a nearly realistic simulation of the destruction of counterfeit goods, as it is done in actual DIMEA operations.
Their choreography was accompanied by slogans against copying and in favor of authentic creativity and value.
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Video of the speeches here: https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/landing-pages/international-ip-enforcement-summit-2025
The 6th International Summit had record participation, see more here: https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/record-participation-at-the-2025-ip-enforcement-summit
Phοto credentials:
Thomas Chrisohoidis
Cinematographer – Photographer
thomas.com.gr
https://www.instagram.com/thomaschrisohoidis/
Video flash mob here: https://www.obi.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/fb34b62c625443d2a0b81830662e7981.mp4
Artistic Direction by: John Pan
Choreography by: Natalia Michael @nataliamichael
Performed by:
Alexis Tsakiris @xanderalt
Anna Aloupi @anna_aloupi
Faidra Flaouna @faidra_flaouna
Grigoris Deligiannidis @grishasdel
Ioanna Theodorou @ioannatheo__
Katerina Kopita @katerinakopita
Mixalis Mixailidis @mixalis_mixailidis
Nikos Koukakis @nikos.koukakis
Stefania Charalampidou @stefaniachr
Yiorgos Papadopoulos @yiorgosp
