EUIPO Annual Intellectual Property Helpdesk Conference Focuses on IP Management in SME Internationalisation

On 29, 10, 2026, the 2026 annual intellectual property helpdesk stakeholders' meeting was held at the headquarters of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante, Spain, bringing together representatives of European institutions, intellectual property support services, enterprises and innovation organisations. The meeting was jointly organised by EUIPO, the European IP Helpdesk and the International IP SME Helpdesk, with the aim of exchanging experience, showcasing practical support services and exploring how European SMEs can better protect, manage and use their intellectual property assets.

The meeting emphasised the importance of intellectual property management for business growth, competitiveness and internationalisation, with particular attention to the challenges enterprises face when entering new markets and developing international partnerships.

The meeting opened with the policy context, with remarks from representatives of EUIPO, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), and the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), setting out the role of intellectual property support services in enhancing the competitiveness of European businesses.

One of the core sessions, "The impact of the IP Helpdesk on EU businesses", brought together enterprises operating in Europe, Africa, China, India, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Through examples, the session illustrated how tailored intellectual property guidance can help businesses navigate different legal and commercial environments, address intellectual property-related challenges and seize international market opportunities.

The discussion also addressed how European and national intellectual property and innovation support services complement one another: from intellectual property strategy development to the use and commercialisation of intangible assets, and to connecting enterprises with the relevant expertise and support mechanisms.

A dedicated discussion on financing, investment and internationalisation opportunities examined how intangible assets can enhance a business's investment readiness and influence licensing, strategic partnerships and business expansion. The meeting noted that the importance of intellectual property as a business asset is rising and that it can play a role in obtaining financing and achieving international growth.

For European small and medium-sized enterprises interested in entering the Latin American market, the discussion highlighted the value of market-specific intellectual property knowledge and early strategic planning: understanding local protection systems, anticipating potential infringement risks, and addressing contractual and ownership issues can help enterprises lay a more solid foundation for international cooperation.

The meeting also demonstrated the importance of collaboration between the European IP Helpdesk and the International IP SME Helpdesk; the two offer complementary services and can provide enterprises with practical intellectual property information and support across different markets and stages of internationalization.

Information source: European Commission, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), published on 2026, 11 2; the meeting was held on 2026, 10 29 in EUIPO (Alicante, Spain).

Note: The content of this article is compiled from public information and is only general intellectual property popularization and practical observation, for information reference only; it does not constitute legal advice or other professional advice for any specific case, and the relevant determinations and conclusions should be subject to the official published documents and the actual circumstances of the individual case.