StrategEast center awarded David Neuberger, Baron Neuberger of Abbotsbury a StrategEast Legal Westernization Award for his contribution to the development of the legislation in the intellectual property rights in Ukraine. The International Advisory Board of Ukraine’s High Court on Intellectual Property chaired by Lord Neuberger forms part of a radical transformation of the country’s legal system.
Due to the continuous restrictions for in-person events, the award handover ceremony was held online with the discussion between the StrategEast president Anatoly Motkin and Lord Neuberger on perspectives of intellectual property protection in Eurasia.
In particular, Lord Neuberger named three components of a successful intellectual property system.
“In order to have a strong intellectual property system, you need all parts of the system to get together: good laws made by the legislature; lawyers, who are honest, efficient and knowledgeable about intellectual property; and decent, competent, independent judges who administer the law. Without all these things you won’t have a system that has confidence,” explained Lord Neuberger.
Answering the question by Anatoly Motkin of whether intellectual property is important only for big players who produce intellectual products (like tech businesses), Lord Neuberger noted: “Properly administered, good IP system protects small inventive people against big companies. Intellectual property is important for all players.” He added that a strong intellectual property law can encourage investments, when people know that their intellectual property is protected. So it is not merely a matter of moral principle, but it is very much in a country’s economic interest.
David Neuberger, Baron Neuberger of Abbotsbury is the chair of the International Advisory Board, Ukraine’s High Court on Intellectual Property. The project Ukraine’s High Court on Intellectual Property was established by the Queen Mary University of London with the support of UK aid.
StrategEast Westernization Award was established in 2018 and is awarded for the significant contributions of politicians, business representatives, and civil activists in creating closer ties between this region and the Western World. It is presented in 6 categories: Economic Westernization, Political Westernization, Legal Westernization, Westernization of Lifestyle, Language and Culture Westernization, and Lifetime Achievement.
Learn more about the nominees of the recent StrategEast Westernization Award
