The aim of these articles is to keep our Clients and Associates updated about developments in the sector of Intellectual Property in general and our firm in particular. In this way, we wish to provide a broader view of the tools that the field of trade marks, domain names, patents, designs and related rights offers to entrepreneurs to enhance and protect their efforts in researching and developing new solutions and ideas.
Italy Celebrated its Second National 'Made in Italy Day' on 15 April, Honoring Leonardo da Vinci
On 15 April, Italy marked the second edition of the National Made in Italy Day, an initiative dedicated to celebrating and promoting the country’s world-renowned craftsmanship, products, and cultural heritage.
The date was deliberately chosen to coincide with the birth anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci, born on 15 April 1452 — a symbol of Italian creativity and excellence.
The celebration is part of a broader framework established by the Made in Italy Framework Law, which came into effect in January 2024. The legislation is designed to strengthen and promote Italian excellence on both national and international stages, offering economic incentives and policy support for businesses — Italian and foreign — that invest in Italy’s strategic sectors.
Support for Strategic Industries and Innovation
One of the cornerstones of the new law is the creation of the National Made in Italy Fund, aimed at supporting the growth and revitalization of key national industries such as food, craftsmanship, textiles, fashion, nautical production, and ceramics. It also targets specific supply chains like furniture-grade wood, virgin olive oil, and natural textile fibers, starting from raw material procurement.
The law also introduces targeted initiatives for female entrepreneurship, alongside new programs in education and culture, to nurture future generations of Italian innovators and artisans.
Intellectual Property Takes Center Stage
A significant focus of the new law is the protection of intellectual property (IP)—an area seen as vital to defending Italy’s creative and commercial identity. The law lays out a series of initiatives to encourage the registration and safeguarding of trademarks, patents, domain names, and geographical indications:
> Trademarks:
> Promotion and protection of trademarks considered of special national interest and value
One of the most notable measures focuses on trademarks deemed to have “special national interest and value”. Italian companies that own or have continuously used a trademark for at least 50 years must notify the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy if they plan to cease operations permanently.
To preserve trademarks historically tied to Italy’s productive identity, the Ministry may acquire ownership of such trademarks free of charge, unless they have already been sold.
The Ministry may also apply to register trademarks that have been inactive for at least five years and make them available to Italian or foreign companies willing to invest in Italy, including those relocating their production activities to the country.
> Encouragement for cultural institutions to register their trademarks
Cultural institutions and heritage sites are now allowed to register their trademarks under Article 19(3) of the Italian Industrial Property Code and may license them to third parties for a fee. The proceeds will go to the state to support cultural heritage preservation.
- Patents:
- Introduction of “3I Vouchers” (Investigation of Industrial Innovation) to support patent consultancy services
- Domain Names:
- Measures to enhance protection of “.it” domain names associated with cultural institutions and heritage sites
- Geographical Indications (GIs) and Traditional Food Products:
- Establishment of a dedicated fund to protect Italian GIs abroad
The newly created Foreign Protection Fund for Italian Geographical Indications is specifically aimed at safeguarding agricultural products, food, wine, and spirits registered under EU Regulations (Nos. 1151/2012, 1308/2013, and 2019/787), and produced by businesses with headquarters and operations in Italy.
The fund supports activities related to industrial property rights, including:
- Registration of GIs abroad, or trademarks where GI protections are not recognized, covering both new filings and renewals, as well as applicable local fees;
- Opposition procedures against IP filings abroad that may infringe on Italian GIs, especially when filed by entities other than authorized consortia;
- Registration and reassignment of domain names associated with Italian GIs, particularly those that have been abusively registered or used.
Strengthened Anti-Counterfeiting Measures
The new legislation revises and strengthens Italy’s anti-counterfeiting framework by:
- Increasing administrative penalties for the purchase or import of counterfeit goods;
- Expanding criminal sanctions for the sale of industrial products bearing false trademarks;
- Enhancing rules for the destruction of seized counterfeit items;
- Providing specialized training for judges and court personnel on intellectual property violations.
As global interest in Made in Italy products continues to rise, navigating the legal and regulatory frameworks — especially regarding intellectual property — has never been more important.
Businesses and institutions are strongly encouraged to consult with specialized intellectual property advisors in Italy to ensure their innovations, brands, and heritage are fully protected and strategically positioned for long-term success.