EIPIN Doctoral Seminar and Conference on "Changing paradigm for assessing IP protection in technology-driven innovation and creations?"

The topic of this conference addresses the effects of disruptive technology on IP law. Exploring the role of intellectual property law in a changing reality, where innovation and creation is driven by technology is highly relevant for the essence of intellectual property law: how can IP law contribute to a competitive market that incentivizes innovation and creation, while at the same time rewarding human innovation and creation.  The four sessions address different aspects of intellectual property law and the standards we use to assess important IP concepts, such as originality, inventive step, the person skilled in the art, the average consumer and likelihood of confusion.


The European Network of Intellectual Property Scholars (EIPIN) is organizing once per year a doctoral seminar, which is intended for early/mid/late-stage PhD Candidates as well as prospective PhD candidates who have just completed or are in the late phases of their LL.M. studies in the field of intellectual property and innovation. During the seminar, Candidates have the opportunity to network, exchange ideas about their research and to receive feedback and guidance from experienced scholars as well as their peers. We provide a safe environment for researchers to grow!

EIPIN signifies excellence in intellectual property research and education, based on the intense collaboration among academics who share a vision for the future of research and education in the field of intellectual property. The basis of this common understanding is rather simple: Cooperation, careful support and communication are essential components for the development and maintenance of a legal framework that best serves the citizens of Europe. We aim at maintaining this by developing the skills and expanding the horizons of doctoral researchers through discussion and feedback.

On 3 April, between six doctoral researchers in the field of intellectual property and innovation will present and discuss with scholars from Queen Mary University of London, Maastricht University, Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, LUISS and Alicante University their research. The discussion is not centred on the specific details of a particular dissertation. Rather, the focus of the feedback during the discussion is placed on proper research problem identification, research methodology, the structure of the dissertation, findings and research challenges. This doctoral seminar draws from the experience built up from many years of cooperation.