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Head of EU Intellectual Property Office: IP Should Boost Growth, Not Just Protect Innovation

Nikolay Zabov
Head of EU Intellectual Property Office: IP Should Boost Growth, Not Just Protect Innovation
Head of EU Intellectual Property Office: IP Should Boost Growth, Not Just Protect Innovation
EUIPO Executive Director Joao Negrao speaking in Sofia, March 12, 2026 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)
Sofia,  
12.03.2026 19:49
 (BTA)

Speaking at the high-level industrial property conference "Innovation Empowered: Protect, Compete, Succeed" here on Thursday, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) Executive Director Joao Negrao said that achievements do not appear in isolation but flourish where innovation is protected, encouraged, and strategically supported. He said that intellectual property should not just protect innovation, but also enable growth, attract investment, facilitate partnerships, and unlock new markets for companies.

The head of the EUIPO said that a new paradigm must be adopted that views intellectual property as a strategic asset that must be actively exploited. He said that a changed mindset is needed to transform innovation into tangible economic advantages and ensure competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Negrao praised Bulgaria for clearly demonstrating its commitment to cooperation with the EUIPO, as well as with national intellectual property offices across Europe, by helping to build common digital tools to harmonize intellectual property practices for greater consistency and legal certainty. Bulgaria's partnership with the EUIPO has led to real tangible results, Negrao said. He added that the promotion of EU funds for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is a prime example. Thanks to this cooperation, nearly 4,000 Bulgarian SMEs have received financial support to protect and manage their intellectual property.

Negrao described the status quo as a turning point. On the one hand, the intellectual property framework designed for the industrial age now faces an economy powered by algorithms, driven by data, and connected by global digital networks. On the other hand, Europe is facing one of its greatest challenges: strengthening the competitiveness of European businesses in the global market. According to Negrao, this is something that is crucial to Europe's prosperity, but also to strengthening its sovereignty and securing its common future. In this context, promoting innovation is not just an option, it is an imperative.

Negrao reported that the EUIPO has been mandated by the European Commission to develop a methodology for the valuation of intangible assets, together with intellectual property offices, which will be presented next year. He also called for easier access to intellectual property-backed financing and for strategies to be developed to tackle increasing digital infringements.

/RY/

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By 02:46 on 15.03.2026 Today`s news

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