Umbria is facing significant challenges in the field of innovation, often limited to the IT sphere, neglecting other fundamental dimensions such as the design of industrial products. As of 2022, the region has registered only 53 patents, a rather small number. In response to this situation, the Umbria Chamber of Commerce organized an important conference entitled “Form beyond form – Innovation and protection in the world of industrial property”. The objective was to stimulate constructive dialogue and promote cohesion on the crucial issue of innovation and its protection, aware of its strategic importance for regional development. The event saw the participation of numerous experts, including jurists, urban planners and architects, who addressed the problem from different perspectives, offering valuable food for thought.
The president of the Umbria Chamber of Commerce, Giorgio Mencaroni, highlighted that “many Umbrian companies do not register trademarks considering the bureaucratic procedures complex and the costs high. In reality, significant progress has been made in streamlining procedures and the costs are not prohibitive, with an average of 800 euros for registering a trademark”. Mencaroni underlined the Chamber’s commitment to promoting cybersecurity among businesses and providing crucial information on brand protection and the funding available to protect intellectual property.
Significant interventions
L’Lawyer Prof. Mario Franzosione of the Italian pioneers in the protection of intellectual property, opened the conference by discussing the origins and requirements of industrial property rights.
Philipp Fabbiofull professor of Commercial Law at the University of Perugia, examined the protection of forms through the registration of designs or models and as works of copyright, illustrating the principles of the European Court of Justice in recent cases.
Silvia Giudiciassociate professor of Industrial Law at the State University of Milan, explored the topic of art used in industrial products, examining the relationships between the Industrial Property Code, Copyright Law and the Cultural Heritage Code.
L’Lawyer Nicola Bottero presented concrete cases relating to shape trademarks, analyzing the decisions of Italian and foreign judges on the protection of the shape as a design or model or as a shape trademark.
The dr. Umberto Scottiformer president of the Turin Company Court and current president of the first section of the civil Supreme Court, spoke about the protection of form through servile imitation, explaining the necessary requirements for such protection.
Panel discussion
In the afternoon, the round table moderated byLawyer Marco Bianchi saw the participation of experts from various sectors. The Prof. Paolo Belardi, professor of architectural and urban composition at the University of Perugia, explained the evolution of design. L’Eng. Andrea Margaritelli, brand manager of Listone Giordano, illustrated the value of design for entrepreneurs and its sensorial dimension. L’Attorney Federica Santonocito discussed how the law can meet the protection needs of businesses. L’Engineer Maurizio Baldi, an industrial property consultant, provided clarification on practical tools to protect the design. There Dr. Giuliana Piandorodirector of the Umbria Chamber of Commerce, presented statistical data on patents registered in Italy and Umbria, illustrating the financing available for businesses.
This conference represented a significant step to promote a broader and more inclusive culture of innovation in Umbria, underlining the importance of intellectual property protection for the economic and social progress of the region.
