In his first leadership role within the Barcelona administration, the Minister of Industry outlined a forward-looking agenda centered on the fourth industrial revolution. At the close of the European Industrial Property Forum, he reaffirmed the aim of “Reindustrializing Spain” and highlighted Europe’s need to build strategic autonomy on the global stage.
Speaking in the conference hall of La Pedrera, a landmark of modernist architecture in Barcelona, the minister emphasized that defending industrial property, along with fostering innovation and creativity, is essential for building an economy deeply rooted in these drivers. This approach, he noted, will support the practical realization of the fourth industrial revolution.
He stated that the goal is to reclaim the industrial capacity that creativity brings to the production of goods. Protecting trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and indications of origin is a central element of the strategy, the minister explained.
The minister recalled ongoing agreements between the European Parliament and the European Commission on industrial designs. These agreements represent milestones of Spain’s presidency of the European Union and underscore the objective of strengthening Europe’s industrial dimension.
Closing the European Industrial Property Forum, the first event of its kind hosted at La Pedrera in Barcelona, the forum was supported by the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (SPTO) and the Brand Defense Association (Andema).
During the closing session, Andema’s president emphasized that brands and industrial property are not only valuable for individual companies but serve as engines of the economy and social welfare. She urged stronger anti-counterfeiting measures, pointing to the loss of tens of thousands of jobs and billions in euros annually across key sectors of the economy as the reason why stamping out counterfeiting is a top challenge.
Over the two days, participants examined every aspect of trademark and industrial property, including the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, the metadatabase, and the Digital Services Act. They also discussed brand dilution and the surge in online distribution of counterfeit goods.
Andema called for greater European cooperation and a regulatory framework that enables companies to defend their industrial property rights efficiently and at reasonable costs. The discussion highlighted the need for robust implementation of the Digital Services Act in Spain, noting that, in a digital era, the most valuable corporate assets are intangible and require strong protection.
Public-private collaboration
In response, the ministry was encouraged to maintain a strong relationship with Andema and to continue joint efforts. Public-private collaboration was described as crucial for achieving shared goals, with both sides affirming its importance.
The forum opened with participation from regional and national leaders, including figures from industry and government who discussed the contributions of Spain’s EU presidency. The event showcased the role of industrial property in driving economic and social outcomes while addressing the challenges facing businesses today.
Some 200 attendees from public and private sectors gathered from national, European, and international circles, including representatives from the European Commission, major city administrations, and a wide range of industry groups. The attendance also encompassed large multinational corporations and organizations across technology, logistics, and manufacturing sectors, illustrating the broad interest in strengthening the continent’s industrial property regime.