The enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPRs) has gained prominence in recent years in the global trade and intellectual property agenda. A number of developments at the global, regional and bilateral level carry far-reaching implications for the regulation of the knowledge economy. Just a few days ago, the G 8 Summit called for the conclusion of talks on a new Anti-Counterfeiting Treaty (ACTA) by the end of this year. In June, a French court fined Ebay for permitting the selling of counterfeit products on its website for the unprecedented amount of 40 million Euros. At the same time, one of the recommendations of the WIPO Development Agenda, adopted last September by WIPO General Assembly, underlines the need "to approach intellectual property enforcement in the context of broader societal interests and especially development oriented concerns," in accordance with Article 7 of the TRIPS Agreement.

The main purpose of this activity was to contribute to the current debate on IP enforcement by providing new perspectives on the economic aspects of IP enforcement as well as insights into the challenges raised by recent initiatives in this area for the promotion of a balanced and development oriented IP regime.