European citizens support IP rights

The Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) has published its study entitled ‘European citizens and Intellectual Property: perception, awareness and behaviour’.

This is the first extensive study of this type in the European Union. It aims to provide a thorough evaluation of citizens’ perceptions on Intellectual and Industrial Property (IP) and the qualitative and quantitative damage that can be caused by infringements.

Results
The study paints a picture of European citizens who are largely supportive of IP rights and the legislation governing them. However, the results also indicate that many of them, on a personal level, consider that infringement might be justified when purchasing power is low or as a sign of protest against an economic model that is governed by the market and by prestigious brands.

This disassociation may stem from insufficient knowledge of the value of IP and from the fact that a large majority of Europeans consider that IP protection does not benefit consumers and citizens like them but, above all, helps firms and artistic elites.

It is therefore necessary to stress the value of IP for European citizens in their everyday life, especially in the case of the young generations which are very different from other age groups.

For consult the Executive Summary, click here.
For further information, click here.