EPIP Association announces 20th annual conference on intellectual property
The European Policy for Intellectual Property (EPIP) Association, in collaboration with the University of Antwerp, has announced its 20th Annual Conference, scheduled to take place from the 10th to the 12th of September 2025 in Antwerp, Belgium. This highly anticipated event aims to bring together a diverse group of participants, including academics, industry practitioners, representatives from intellectual property (IP) offices, policymakers, and various stakeholders, for three days dedicated to intensive dialogue and the exchange of ideas surrounding the future of intellectual property.
The conference will feature distinguished keynote speakers, including Professor Caroline Ncube from the University of Cape Town, who will present on the topic “From ambition to action: how the role and rightful place of Intellectual Property in the quest for sustainable development.” Professor Ncube holds the DST/NRF SARChI Research Chair in Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development, and her insights are expected to shed light on the intersection of IP and sustainable development. Another keynote speaker, Professor Bhaven N. Sampat from Arizona State University, will deliver a presentation titled “War, Crisis, and Innovation Policy,” exploring how these factors influence innovation policies.
The overarching theme of this year’s conference, “Turning IP Ambitions into Action,” reflects the urgent need for practical implementations of theoretical frameworks within the ever-evolving landscape of intellectual property. The conference will focus on the impact of global societal challenges—a concept termed as poly-crises—such as climate change, pandemics, and geopolitical tensions, which have created a complex web of challenges requiring innovative and collaborative responses. Attendees will engage in discussions that highlight the necessity for strong community building and effective collaborations, in moving from intention to action within the intellectual property domain.
Organisers have outlined several research themes that will inform discussions at the conference, including the impact of new technologies on intellectual property, the role of IP law in addressing crises, as well as considerations around governance, sustainable innovation, and social equity. In line with its commitment to inclusivity, EPIP2025 will also place particular emphasis on interdisciplinary submissions, encouraging researchers to explore the intersections of law, economics, and intellectual property.
In addition to the main thematic sessions, the conference will host several ‘Special Sessions’ centred on specific topics. These include a WIPO Sponsored Session focused on “Gender and Diversity in IP and Innovation,” as well as sessions dedicated to “IP and Access to Health Technologies” and “Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in IP.”
Innovators and emerging scholars in the field of intellectual property will have the opportunity to vie for recognition through the prestigious EPIP Young Scholars Awards, which will offer €500 prizes in the categories of economics/management and law. A new initiative for 2025, the Interdisciplinary Young Scholars Award, will recognise research that excels across disciplines. Furthermore, a PhD workshop is slated for the 10th of September, designed to provide mentorship, feedback, and career guidance for early-career scholars.
Important timelines have been established for submissions related to the conference. The deadline for extended abstracts, including those for Special Sessions, is set for the 30th of April 2025, with acceptance notifications to be sent out by early June 2025. Early bird registration will close on the 30th of June 2025.
The EPIP Association has committed to supporting PhD researchers by offering reduced registration fees for the conference and has announced plans to provide a fee waiver to up to five researchers from universities located in developing countries.