The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine hosted a presentation of a study on the intellectual property rights within the system of the Ministry of Defence. The study was prepared by the Main Directorate of Military Justice in cooperation with the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (IP Office). This study was the first IP Office’s analytical work to reveal the causes and factors that contributed to the decline of the system of management and protection of intellectual property rights.

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Stanislav Haider emphasized the Ministry of Defence’s leading role in systematic work related to intellectual property in the defense sector, particularly in defense acquisition, research, and development activities to develop, master, and produce new models of weapons, military and special equipment, arms and ammunitions.

“The leadership of the Ministry of Defence in this area requires organizing the proper protection of intellectual property rights in the defense sector, both legislative and organizational. The 2021-2025 Anti-Corruption Strategy identifies inefficient use and handling of intellectual property as one of the main problems in the defense sector. I am confident that this event will contribute to the continuation of the systematic work on intellectual property rights issues in the Ministry of Defence. We are actively communicating with stakeholders, particularly with the participants of today’s meeting, and we are involving stakeholders in the regulatory process of solving this problematics.

Particular attention has been paid to the issues related to improper control over the creation of objects of intellectual property rights. A step-by-step plan was also proposed to change how the state treats and remunerates inventors. A clear list of regulations that need to be amended was outlined. At present, one of the main tasks is the institutionalization of intellectual property management within the system of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. It was also noted about the steps already taken by the leadership towards the implementation of a new structure of the management system.

Ilia Kostin, a leading expert on intellectual property at the Main Directorate of Military Justice, noted that the study highlights critical problems of intellectual property management in Ukraine's defense sector. He also revealed the consequences that may result from non-systematic attention to this issue in the future.

"As described in the study, the experience of both of our partner countries and enemies has demonstrated that ignoring the protection of intellectual property rights leads to the decline of the defense industry. Our battlefield experience shows that only technological superiority will allow us to defeat russian federation. Therefore, the entire intellectual property management system, which needs to be developed, should be aimed at supporting innovation," Kostin said.

As a result of the meeting, further steps were agreed upon to transform the processes in this area.

Representatives of partner countries, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, ministries and departments, non-governmental organizations, and research institutions also attended the event.