Regulation (EU) No 386/2012 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

Article 2 U.K. Tasks and activities

1. The Office shall have the following tasks:

(a) improving understanding of the value of intellectual property;

(b) improving understanding of the scope and impact of infringements of intellectual property rights;

(c) enhancing knowledge of best public and private sector practices to protect intellectual property rights;

(d) assisting in raising citizens’ awareness of the impact of infringements of intellectual property rights;

(e) enhancing the expertise of persons involved in the enforcement of intellectual property rights;

(f) enhancing knowledge of technical tools to prevent and tackle infringements of intellectual property rights, including tracking and tracing systems which help to distinguish genuine products from counterfeit ones;

(g) providing mechanisms which help to improve the online exchange, between Member States’ authorities working in the field of intellectual property rights, of information relating to the enforcement of such rights, and fostering cooperation with and between those authorities;

(h) working, in consultation with Member States, to foster international cooperation with intellectual property offices in third countries so as to build strategies and develop techniques, skills and tools for the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

2. In the fulfilment of the tasks set out in paragraph 1, the Office shall carry out the following activities in accordance with the work programme adopted pursuant to Article 7, and in line with Union law:

(a) establishing a transparent methodology for the collection, analysis and reporting of independent, objective, comparable and reliable data relating to infringements of intellectual property rights;

(b) collecting, analysing and disseminating relevant objective, comparable and reliable data regarding infringements of intellectual property rights;

(c) collecting, analysing and disseminating relevant objective, comparable and reliable data regarding the economic value of intellectual property and its contribution to economic growth, welfare, innovation, creativity, cultural diversity, the creation of high-quality jobs and the development of high quality products and services within the Union;

(d) providing regular assessments and specific reports by economic sector, geographic area and type of intellectual property right infringed, which evaluate, inter alia, the impact of infringements of intellectual property rights on society and the economy, including an assessment of the effects on small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as on health, the environment, safety and security;

(e) collecting, analysing and disseminating information regarding best practices between the representatives meeting as the Observatory, and, if applicable, making recommendations for strategies based on such practices;

(f) drawing up reports and publications to raise awareness amongst Union citizens of the impact of infringements of intellectual property rights and to that end, organising conferences, events and meetings at European and international levels as well as assisting national and Europe-wide actions, including online and offline campaigns, principally by providing data and information;

(g) monitoring the development of new competitive business models which enlarge the legal offer of cultural and creative content, and encouraging the exchange of information and raising consumer awareness in this respect;

(h) developing and organising online and other forms of training for national officials involved in the protection of intellectual property rights;

(i) organising ad hoc meetings of experts, including academic experts and relevant representatives of civil society, to support its work under this Regulation;

(j) identifying and promoting technical tools for professionals and benchmark techniques, including tracking and tracing systems which help to distinguish genuine products from counterfeit ones;

(k) working with national authorities and the Commission to develop an online network facilitating the exchange of information on infringements of intellectual property rights between public administrations, bodies and organisations in the Member States dealing with the protection and enforcement of those rights;

(l) working in cooperation with, and building synergies between, the central industrial property offices of the Member States, including the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property and other Member States’ authorities working in the field of intellectual property rights, with a view to developing and promoting techniques, skills and tools relating to the enforcement of intellectual property rights, including training programmes and awareness campaigns;

(m) developing, in consultation with the Member States, programmes for the provision of technical assistance to third countries as well as developing and delivering specific training programmes and events for officials from third countries who are involved in the protection of intellectual property rights;

(n) making recommendations to the Commission on issues falling within the scope of this Regulation, on the basis of a request from the Commission;

(o) carrying out similar activities necessary in order to enable the Office to fulfil the tasks set out in paragraph 1.

3. In carrying out the tasks and activities referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the Office shall comply with existing provisions of Union law on data protection.