Dear IP Office team,

We are pleased to invite you to the IP Helpdesk Stakeholders’ Meeting 2026, the annual flagship event of the IP Helpdesk, which this year will focus on “IP Protection in the AI & Software Era.”

The IP Helpdesk, an initiative of the European Commission, that supports EU and SMP SMEs to 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.

This year’s Stakeholders’ Meeting will provide a dedicated forum for dialogue between IP practitioners, policymakers, and support organisations. We are honoured to welcome the European AI Office, which will share its insights on AI compliance and introduce the newly established AI Act Service Desk. As the EU’s centre of AI expertise, the European AI Office plays a central role in supporting the implementation of the AI Act and promoting trustworthy AI across the Union.

We would be delighted to welcome your participation and to foster exchange between European IP Offices and the IP Helpdesk community. 

Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We look forward to your participation in the IP Helpdesk Stakeholders’ Meeting 2026.

Kind regards,