The European Union Intellectual Property Office, known as EUIPO, has become a cornerstone of Alicante’s economy. Despite the shocks of the pandemic, its influence kept growing, reshaping local activities and driving regional momentum in recent years.
A recent report, presented on Europe Day on May 9, examines EUIPO’s impact on the Valencian Community for 2020 and 2021. The analysis was prepared by the Alicante Chamber of Commerce research service and highlights how EUIPO’s presence has translated into tangible economic activity.
According to the study, EUIPO’s activities generated a total effect of 403 million euros in 2021, encompassing both direct and induced impacts. The organization’s footprint extends beyond its own operations to include related institutions, such as the European Trademark Court and the regional ecosystem of law firms and professional services that support intellectual property work in Alicante.
EUIPO’s leadership and presence have also been linked to broader regional gains, including increased revenue and local autonomy estimated at 239.8 million euros across the provinces. In simple terms, EUIPO’s core function of registering trademarks, designs, and other IP rights has yielded measurable economic benefits in Alicante, contributing about 0.77 percent of the regional economy as a whole.
Taking a longer view, cumulative data since EUIPO began operating in 1996 show the office’s influence swelling to about 7,620 million euros in regional production, according to Julio Laporta, the spokesperson for EUIPO in the presentation of this study.
Work
All this activity translates into meaningful job creation. The study estimates that the EUIPO ecosystem supports around 2,900 jobs in the Valencian Community. Of these, up to 1,306 positions are filled directly by EUIPO staff or civil servants, while another 786 jobs arise from demand generated by EUIPO services across local companies. Additional roles include 230 positions at the European School, four experts at the European Trademark Court, about 440 professionals at related offices, and 20 jobs linked to intellectual property work in Alicante. The organization of conferences and related events also sustains roughly 440 roles.
EUIPO spokespersons emphasized that 56 percent of operating expenses and 40 percent of collaboration expenses are contracted with suppliers from the Valencian Community, underscoring the local sourcing of a sizable portion of the office’s spending. For every euro that EUIPO spends locally, income visibility increases in the region, while investments often yield even higher local multipliers.
In this context, the study notes the appointment of a replacement for Christian Archambeau, who has led EUIPO since 2018, as part of ongoing leadership transitions within the organization.
Economic impact and sectoral benefits
Industries that benefit most from EUIPO’s economic activity include business services, computing, education, retail trade, hospitality, and financial intermediation. The analysis also considers how the 2020-2021 contribution helped mitigate the effects of the pandemic on tourism, trademark registration, and broader commercial activity. EUIPO’s continuing presence and its associated activities intensified its share of the regional economy during the recovery period, reinforcing its economic weight as GDP and broader regional indicators rebounded.
EUIPO’s weight in gross value added rose as the national economy faced declines, with the organization contributing about 0.77 percent of Alicante’s total income during the period examined.
Intellectual property-intensive industries
Industries that rely heavily on intellectual property, including brand management, patents, and industrial design, collectively contribute substantial value to the EU. EUIPO and related programs also supported measures to aid small and medium-sized enterprises in managing IP rights during the pandemic. One notable initiative subsidized up to 75 percent of registration fees for brands, designs, patents, and plant varieties, with up to 90 percent support for IP pre-diagnosis services. To date, tens of thousands of companies have benefited from these measures.
Following the presentation of the study, a traditional post-event reception organized by the Euro-Agency coincided with Europe Day activities. EUIPO’s executive director, who was preparing to step down, described the organization as promising for Europe and its host city. Local officials, including the regional finance minister and the city mayor, highlighted EUIPO’s contribution to the region and its role in advancing technology and innovation.
Looking ahead, the spokesperson noted growth prospects in Alicante, with several legislative projects that could increase EUIPO’s workload at the Agua Amarga facilities. Among the most advanced ideas is establishing European-level protected geographical indications for crafts such as Murano glass or region-specific ceramics. While final regulation remains pending, EUIPO would handle all registration procedures for these new indications once in force next year. There is also discussion about registering regional foods like nougat, medlar, and pomegranate for geographical indications, a process closely linked to the European Commission. Additionally, a package of patent legislation measures could expand EUIPO’s remit to cover supplementary certificates for extending patent terms in pharmaceuticals and standard patents aimed at enabling broader access to advanced technologies such as 5G and Bluetooth.
The wider implication is a stronger, more dynamic Alicante economy supported by a robust intellectual property ecosystem and a hub for legal, educational, and technological activity.