Intellectual property (IP) refers to the creations of the mind, such as inventions (patents); literary and artistic works (copyright); new product designs (industrial designs); and brand-names, symbols, or logos used to distinguish products and services from one undertaking from another (trade marks).
IP is a powerful tool for individuals and enterprises to help control their property rights. Ireland has in place a strong legal framework and intellectual property system that offers IP right holders the opportunity to be rewarded for their creativity and innovation and enabling society at large and the economy to benefit from their achievements.
Formal IP rights include patents, trade marks and industrial designs so called because they can be registered. Copyright is a different type of intellectual property relating to creations of the mind and is seen in everyday life in creative works such as books, films, music, art and software, as well as in more mundane objects such as cars, computers and medicines. Other types of informal IP rights include plant variety rights, geographical indications of origin, trade secrets and topographies of integrated circuits. For further information please see other IP rights.
The Intellectual Property Unit of the department is responsible for Ireland’s policy and legislation on IP that reflects developments in intellectual property policy and practice domestically, at EU level and in terms of international obligations to which Ireland is committed through various international agreements.
The Intellectual Property Office of Ireland is responsible for the granting of patents, the registration of industrial designs and trade marks, and has certain functions in relation to copyright and related rights.
Featured news
EUIPO SME Fund 2026 – Grants to support the registration of Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (CIGIs)
July 2026
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has expanded its SME Fund for 2026 with the introduction of Voucher 5, a new funding stream specifically designed to support the registration of Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (CIGIs). This addition complements the existing range of supports available for IP.
Under the new scheme, eligible applicants can receive up to €2,000 to offset costs associated with registering a craft or industrial geographical indication. Funding can be used towards national and EU application fees, as well as the preparation of the product specification required as part of the registration process.
The scheme is open to a range of eligible applicants, including producer groups established in the EU that include at least one SME, individual SME producers, and designated local or regional authorities or private entities.
The launch of Voucher 5 follows the introduction of the EU-wide protection framework for craft and industrial geographical indications. The initiative aims to encourage greater uptake of this protection mechanism by supporting producers whose products derive their quality, reputation or distinctive characteristics from their geographical origin.
For more information, visit SME Fund 2026.
European Commission public consultation on the Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List
June 2026
The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation for the Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List.
The aim of the consultation is to identify online service providers and physical marketplaces located outside the European Union that are reported to engage in, facilitate or benefit from substantial infringements of intellectual property rights (IPRs), and in particular piracy and counterfeiting.
Stakeholders are asked to submit written contributions to the Commission identifying online services and physical marketplaces for inclusion in the updated Counterfeit and Piracy Watchlist which is planned to be published in 2027.
For more information and to make a submission, visit Public consultation on the Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List.
Submissions can be made until 11 September 2026.
European Commission public consultation on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in third countries
June 2026
DG Trade has launched a targeted consultation to gather information on the state of intellectual property protection and enforcement in third countries.
The main objective of this consultation is to identify third countries in which the state of intellectual property rights protection and enforcement gives rise to the highest level of concern and to update the list of the so-called 'priority countries'. The targeted consultation will be one of the tools used to help improve the IPR systems in third countries. It will help the European Commission focus its efforts and resources on the priority countries and on the specific areas of concern, with the aim of improving IPR protection and enforcement worldwide.
For more information and to contribute, visit Targeted consultation on the state of intellectual property in third countries.
The deadline for responses is 11 September 2026.