The Law Society and IMRO are celebrating Irish women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs and highlighting the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) to protect innovation and creativity as part of World IP Day, today, Wednesday 26 April.

Also, IMRO Adjunct Professor of Intellectual Property Law at the Law Society Dr Mark Hyland will be joined by Dr Ula Furgal (lecturer in Intellectual Property Law, School of Law, University of Glasgow) at the IMRO and Law Society Annual Copyright Lecture next week, to explore a key aspect of EU copyright.  

Together, they will discuss the theme of this year’s annual lecture: ‘The new press publishers' right and the creation of a well-functioning marketplace for copyright in the EU’.

Their focus will be on Article 15 of Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market, as introduced in Ireland.

The free conference takes place at: 

• 5:30pm-7pm on Wednesday 3 May,
• Venue: Lecture theatre, Education Centre, Law Society,
• Advance registration is required.

Panellists for the lecture are Colm O'Reilly, chief operations officer for the Business Post, as well as award-winning Sunday Independent journalist Mark Tighe. (Tighe is the co-author, with Sunday Times Ireland soccer correspondent Paul Rowan, of Champagne Football. Mark Tighe is also a winner of numerous Law Society Justice Media Awards.)

For more information and to register, see: Annual Copyright Lecture 2023

Innovation

This year, World IP Day on 26 April focuses on ‘Women and IP: Accelerating innovation and creativity’.

Dr Mark Hyland said: “Women entrepreneurs, creators and inventors in Ireland and abroad are using their powers of innovation across so many sectors.

“These include technology, pharmaceuticals, the law, creative industries, beauty and fashion. It is absolutely key that Irish innovators are aware of the important protection offered by our IP system.”

Why is IP so important?

Some of our most-loved Irish creatives include Edna O’Brien, Chupi Sweetman and Sinéad O'Connor, but how can IP benefit Ireland’s up-and-coming creators and innovators?

“IP refers to creations of the mind, and formal intellectual property rights (IPRs) can be used to protect such things as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs and symbols or names used in business.

“By using the IP system to protect their creativity and innovation, women entrepreneurs can monetise their creations, generating tangible revenue and helping to sustain and grow the relevant sector,” explained Dr Hyland.

Adaptations

“Certain IP can be adapted with the permission of the owner. For example, a novel can be transformed into a movie, or a musical arrangement can be adapted for performance by a particular artist, set of voices or instruments. These interesting adaptations benefit society and often generate revenue for the original creator.  

“Thankfully, there are a number of important IPRs available in both Ireland and the EU to help protect Irish creators. They include patents, trademarks, copyright and design rights. The existence and availability of these all-important legal rights help incentivise creativity and innovation among Ireland’s talented entrepreneurs, creators and inventors,” said Dr Hyland.

Reflecting on this year’s World IP Day theme, chair of IMRO Eleanor McEvoy said: “The protection of intellectual property and copyright for all artists, entrepreneurs and innovators is an essential part of business. Respecting this across the board supports a well-functioning, equitable marketplace, and one that is to the benefit of society.

“As we continue to strive for a more equal and inclusive society, it is important to work to bridge the gaps in the industries we support. Ireland has an incredible pool of rising talent and World IP Day 2023 provides us with an opportunity to highlight IP protections available to our women creators and entrepreneurs.”