Dear SME Cluster,

We are pleased to invite you and your member organisations to the IP Helpdesk Stakeholders’ Meeting 2026, the annual flagship event of the IP Helpdesk, taking place this year under the theme: “IP Protection in the AI & Software Era.”

The IP Helpdesk, an initiative of the European Commission, that supports EU and SMP SMEsto protect and enforce their intellectual property rights. Through its activities, the IP Helpdesk raises awareness of IP issues in European and international markets—including China, South-East Asia, Latin America, India, and Africa—and provides free, confidential, jargon-free first-line advice, as well as training, practical materials, and online resources.

For this year’s Stakeholders’ Meeting, we are honoured to welcome the European AI Office, which will share its insights on AI compliance and present the newly launched AI Act Service Desk. As the EU’s centre of AI expertise, the European AI Office plays a key role in promoting the development and deployment of AI solutions that benefit both society and the economy.

We would be delighted if you could share this invitation with your cluster members and encourage their participation in this key strategic event.

We look forward to welcoming you and your members to the IP Helpdesk Stakeholders’ Meeting 2026.

Kind regards,