The Intellectual Property and Innovation Rights in Africa (AFRIPI) project organized an international seminar on "Combating Counterfeiting and Intellectual Property" in Tunis from September 12th to 14th. This event was held in partnership with the INNORPI (National Institute for Standardization and Industrial Property) and the INPI (French National Institute of Industrial Property).

The AFRIPI project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), aimed to raise awareness among all stakeholders involved in the enforcement of intellectual property rights (regulatory authorities, IP rights holders) in North African countries, including Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco, about the importance of intellectual property and the significant role each actor plays in the fight against counterfeiting.

In his welcome address, Mr. Nafâa BOUTITI, the Director General of INNORPI, emphasized the need for cooperation among various authorities responsible for upholding intellectual property rights and combating counterfeiting, including the police, economic brigade, customs, magistrates, and intellectual property offices. This cooperation is essential to implement effective measures to combat counterfeiting, which harms the national economy, consumer safety, and the interests of intellectual property rights holders.

Mr. BOUTITI mentioned that INNORPI is currently in the process of revising all its legal texts in the field of industrial property dating back to the early 2000s. This revision, according to Mr. BOUTITI, will align national legislation with evolving international standards and provide a more efficient and user-friendly protection system by leveraging new information technologies.

The Director General also highlighted that INNORPI offers various services to the public, including trademark prior art searches, remotely accessible databases, and trademark opposition procedures as an alternative means of amicably resolving disputes and combating counterfeiting.

The official opening of this international event was presided over by Ms. Lamia ABROUG, Chief of the Cabinet of the Minister of Commerce and Export Development, His Excellency Mr. Marcus CORNARO, Ambassador of the European Union in Tunisia, Mr. Pascal Faure, Director General of the French National Institute of Industrial Property, and Ms. AIDA GALLIINDO ORTIZ, Head of the Intellectual Property and Innovation Rights in Africa (AFRIPI) project.