The EU and its Member States delivered a coordinated set of statements at the 68th series of meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO, held in Geneva from 7 to 15 July 2026, as recorded in a Council note dated 23 July 2026. The statements cover intellectual property policy across all main WIPO committees and systems, reaffirming broad support for WIPO's IP systems while pushing for non-binding instruments on traditional knowledge and copyright exceptions, condemning Russia's war against Ukraine, and urging the PCT Working Group to resume work while respecting the GRATK Treaty's footnote 4.
The EU delegation congratulated Director General Daren Tang on his re-election and committed to accessible, user-oriented IP systems for SMEs, women, youth, and local communities. Priorities include the PCT, Hague, Madrid, Lisbon systems, geographical indications (GIs), IP and AI, and WIPO Green for climate transition. The EU condemned Russia's war against Ukraine and expressed solidarity with Ukraine.
In the copyright committee (SCCR), the EU supported a Treaty for the Protection of Broadcasting Organisations but opposed legally binding instruments on exceptions and limitations for libraries, archives, museums, education, and disabilities, favouring WIPO capacity-building and non-binding instruments. It proposed adding Author's Resale Right to the permanent agenda.
On patents (SCP), the EU emphasised patent quality, opposition systems, client-patent advisor confidentiality, voluntary technology transfer, and patents and health. It supported updating court case compilations and a study on cross-border inventorship.
In trademarks, designs, and GIs (SCT), the EU welcomed revised guidelines on trademarks containing country names but regretted no progress on GUI design protection. It supported adapting the UDRP to cover GIs and welcomed sessions on new design technologies and GIs.
On development (CDIP), the EU supported Development Agenda implementation, technical assistance, and projects on women and IP.
In the genetic resources and traditional knowledge committee (IGC), the EU favoured non-binding instruments on traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, stressing a transparent, inclusive process and conceptual discussions.
On enforcement (ACE), the EU highlighted IP infringement risks to health, environment, and innovation, and valued information-sharing on counterfeiting and piracy.
Regarding the PCT system, the EU regretted the 19th session's procedural deadlock and urged resumption of technical work. It supported amendments from the 18th session and insisted that footnote 4 to Article 7 of the GRATK Treaty must be fully respected.
In the Madrid system, the EU welcomed cost-saving innovations such as differentiated translation, the Unified Goods and Services Database, and a new IT platform. It supported preserving the dependency principle but was open to reducing the dependency period.
The statements reflect the EU's consistent approach of supporting non-binding instruments and capacity-building over legally binding commitments in several areas, while maintaining strong support for the core IP registration systems. The Council note serves as a record of the EU's coordinated position for internal and external reference.