Daugavpils University invites doctoral students, academic staff, and all interested participants to join the Doctoral School lecture “Create and Protect”,which will take place online on 19 February 2026 at 14:00 via the Zoom platform.

Lecturers

• Elīna Gaile – Senior Adviser, Development and Cooperation Department, Latvian Patent Office.
• Penelope Piraino – Young Professional from the European Patent Office, seconded to the Latvian Patent Office.

Lecture Topics

• Importance of protecting Intellectual Property rights
  Why Intellectual Property protection is essential for innovation, business development, competitiveness, and creative work.
• Intellectual Property rights (trademarks, designs, and patents)
  What these rights are, how they differ from each other, and how they can be protected in practice.
• How to avoid copying others’ ideas
  Where and how to conduct research before developing new ideas in order to avoid infringing existing Intellectual Property rights (patents, designs, and trademarks).
• Best practices and real-life examples
  Case studies and consequences of failing to protect Intellectual Property rights in time.
• SME Fund support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
  Financial support available for SMEs to help cover the costs of Intellectual Property protection in the European Union.
• European Patent Office (EPO)
  Overview of EPO services, activities, and opportunities offered to students and young innovators.

Participation is free of charge. After successful attendance, participants will receive a certificate.

The Zoom access link will be sent to all registered participants on the day of the lecture.

Additional Information

Doctoral School
E-mail: doktoranturasskola@du.lv