INSME and the Protection of Made in Italy: Intellectual Property Strategies for SMEs

25 Janury 2025

INSME participated at the conference “Intellectual Property and Innovation: Strategies to protect and enhance SME business”, held in Rome on January 23rd and organized by Alibaba in collaboration with Il Tempo. Held in the heart of Rome, at Palazzo Wedekind, the event was attended by, among others, Matthew Bassiur, Vice President of Alibaba and Head of Global IP Enforcement, Licia Ronzulli, Vice President of the Senate, Fausta Bergamotto, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Claudio Bergonzi, Director of Global IP Enforcement at Alibaba, and Valentina Grippo, Vice President of the Culture Committee of the Chamber of Deputies.

The event emphasized the importance of protecting Made in Italy products in the global market, highlighting intellectual property’s key role for SMEs. It called for public-private collaboration to promote growth, modernize business models, and safeguard IP rights, ensuring the long-term competitiveness of Italian enterprises in e-commerce. Giovanni Zazzerini, Secretary General of INSME, and Simona Marzetti, Adviser to the Board, took part as speakers, sharing strategies and best practices for safeguarding intellectual property rights for SMEs.

The discussions focused on raising awareness among businesses about the value of intellectual property and the need for stronger public-private partnerships to combat counterfeiting and piracy. As Andrea Di Carlo, Deputy Executive Director of EUIPO, underlined: “The protection of intellectual property is crucial for the innovation and competitiveness of Italian and European SMEs. Our goal is to create a European intellectual property protection ecosystem that is accessible, effective, and supports businesses in both local and international markets”. Particular attention was given to the challenges posed by online marketplaces, where counterfeit products can easily circulate. Representatives from institutions and industry leaders stressed that intellectual property should be seen as a strategic asset for fostering innovation and enhancing competitiveness.

Alibaba reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Italian SMEs in their growth and international expansion, particularly in the Chinese market. Matthew Bassiur, Vice President and Head of Global IP Enforcement at Alibaba, emphasized the platform’s efforts to protect brands and consumers by strengthening their “ongoing collaboration with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors”. Government officials also underscored the importance of integrating intellectual property protection with policies aimed at promoting Italian excellence worldwide.

The event provided a valuable platform for sharing best practices and exploring new strategies for IPR enforcement. Speakers urged businesses to be proactive in safeguarding their IP, including registering trademarks and patents, monitoring online marketplaces, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies. The conference concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to supporting Italian businesses in protecting their intellectual property, acknowledging that safeguarding “Made in Italy” products is essential for preserving the nation’s cultural heritage and economic prosperity.

Source: INSME Secretariat

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