The Correlation between Existing Intellectual Property Rights in the EU Member States and Detected Infringements

Abstract

Objective: The European Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office published their joint report in November 2024, revealing the statistical data on internal market seizures and the detentions during customs procedures regarding the violation of intellectual property rights for the year 2023. A record number of nearly 152 million counterfeit products seized or detained, 98% of which are attributed to the results of 10 member states of the European Union. The aim of the study is to explore whether a correlation can be established between the significance of intellectual property rights in the national economy and the detention data when comparing more and less successful member states.

Methodology: The research is based on secondary analysis, during which relevant international literature and databases were reviewed. As part of the quantitative study, a ranking of the member states is established concerning valid intellectual property rights, and this is compared with the aforementioned detection data.

Findings: The research concludes that the hypothesis – that Member States whose economies rely heavily on innovation and its preservation pay more attention to the importance of enforcement – is not always provable. It is necessary to fine-tune the established model, analyse longer-term data, and incorporate additional aspects and indicators to create a more accurate picture.

Value: If the correlation can be proven using scientific methods and attention is drawn to the policymakers of the less successful member states to the importance of protecting intellectual property rights, it could have a positive impact on economic development and the safety of buyers and consumers.

Disclaimer: The conclusions drawn from the results of the research that forms part of the doctoral (PhD) studies, regardless of their publicly available source, are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the official position or opinion of the National Tax and Customs Administration or the European Union Intellectual Property Office. The publication was prepared with the support of the Scientific Council of the National Tax and Customs Administration.