http://www.epo.org/news-issues/news/2018/20180607a.html
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7 June 2018
The Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG) today honoured EPO President Benoît
Battistelli with a special award for his services to intellectual property. The
2018 prize in the individual achievement category was presented to him in Paris
on the occasion of an Awards ceremony celebrating the World Anti-Counterfeiting
Day- which recognises national and international efforts to curb counterfeiting
and piracy.
Marking their 20th year, the GACG Awards were held at the Museé de Contrefaçon,
housed at the Headquarters of the Union des Fabricants (UNIFAB). The event
honoured players in seven main categories: National Public Body; International
Public Organisation; Company; Association; Technology or Professional Services
User; Media; and Individual Achievement.
“I feel greatly honoured to receive this distinction,” said Battistelli, who
was awarded for his long-term commitment to improving IP protection during his
tenures at both the French IP Office (INPI) and the European Patent Office.
“Europe’s economy relies greatly on effective intellectual property, whether it
is trademarks, copyright or patents. They are crucial for maintaining the high
standard of goods on our markets and I have been privileged to have been able
to play a role in helping to develop an effective patent system that can
support innovation and protect the rights of creators and inventors.”
Counterfeit and pirated goods are estimated to cost the global economy up to
EUR 2 trillion per year according to some estimates, and this translates into a
loss of legal employment, lack of investment in new jobs and increased prices
of legal goods.