Role of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in supporting intellectual property abroad
As part of a process that sees many institutional and private players working together on a national level, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is committed to helping Italian companies abroad protect their intellectual property rights on global markets, thanks to the constant liaison between the Directorate General for Country Promotion and the diplomatic and consular offices.
Working in constant dialogue with the competent authorities of the countries involved and with international organisations operating in the sector, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
- promotes diplomatic actions to protect national interests;
- implements actions to provide information and assistance to Italian companies abroad dealing with intellectual property rights violations;
- develops promotional activities in favour of Italian top-quality products protected by intellectual property rights, with a view to increasing Italy’s economic, cultural and scientific presence worldwide;
- launches information and training initiatives, including the guide “Tutelare innovazione e creatività all’estero” (Protecting Innovation and Creativity Abroad), which provides possible solutions to concrete problems arising from the different treatment of intellectual property abroad;
- monitors developments in the European negotiating agenda and in the main international organisations addressing the issue;
- participates in national coordination activities within the National Council for the fight against counterfeiting and Italian sounding (CNALCIS) and the Permanent Advisory Committee on Copyright (CCPDA).
USEFUL CONTACTS
Directorate General for Country Promotion
Office VIII – Space, Multilateral Scientific Cooperation and Intellectual Property
dgsp-08@esteri.it