G7 Intellectual Property Offices Assert: ‘Metaverse is Not a Legal Vacuum’ in Joint Declaration on IP Protection in Digital Realms and Emphasize Diversity and Inclusion

Summary

A meeting of the Intellectual Property Offices of the G7 nations was held in the metaverse format on December 15, 2023. The meeting aimed to emphasize the importance of protecting intellectual property (IP) in digital contexts, including the metaverse. The participants highlighted that the rules for IP protection apply equally in the virtual world and that the metaverse is not a law-free space.

The meeting also discussed the need to improve the IP system to respond to the latest challenges, including IP issues in new digital contexts. The participants recognized the significance of building an environment that makes IP systems more accessible to all segments of society and emphasized the importance of international cooperation to achieve this goal.

To accelerate innovation and creativity, the participants stressed the need for a strong and active engagement from existing stakeholders and a wide range of additional actors, including underrepresented groups. The meeting also discussed the need to raise consumers' awareness on the risks related to counterfeiting and piracy in new digital contexts, including the metaverse.

The joint statement issued at the end of the meeting emphasizes the commitment of the G7 IP Offices to work together to promote diversity and inclusion in the global IP ecosystem.