OPENVERSE 3rd Expert Workshop: IPR Challenges and Barriers to the Single Digital Market for SMEs and Start-ups Active in the Virtual Worlds and Web4.0 Arena

The OPENVERSE Consortium invites you to participate in the third session of its online series of expert workshops, which will be held on November 19th, 2024, from 14:30 to 16:30 CET. The theme for this session is “IPR Challenges and Barriers to the Single Digital Market for SMEs and Start-ups Active in the Virtual Worlds and Web4.0 Arena.”

FOCUS
This workshop will focus on the challenges and barriers faced by SMEs and start-ups in the virtual worlds and Web4.0 sectors, particularly in accessing and benefiting from the Single Digital Market (SDM). Despite the implementation of the Digital Market Act (DMA) and Digital Service Act (DSA) in mid-2023, and the support measures by the European Commission, significant hurdles remain for smaller players.

Key points to be addressed include:

• Identifying existing support mechanisms for SMEs and start-ups and how these can be leveraged to overcome hurdles in the virtual world and Web4.0 ecosystems.
• Examining how virtual worlds, involving a diverse range of innovators and motivated social actors, can become key development platforms and growth areas for small businesses, with a focus on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues.
• Exploring the growing role of AI in shaping interactions, creation, and operations in these environments, and how SMEs and start-ups can harness AI to thrive in this rapidly evolving sector.

AGENDA

Welcome and Introduction to the workshop | Gianluca Misuraca, Founder and VP, Inspiring Futures

The EU Strategy for a SDM, virtual worlds and the web4.0 | Rehana Schwinninger-Ladak, Head of the Interactive Technologies, Digital for Culture and Education Unit, DG Connect, (CNECT.G.2), European Commission

IPR Challenges and barriers to the SDM for SMEs and Start-ups in the EU
Pierre Rossel, Founder and President, Inspiring Futures
Lukasz Porwol, Head e-Gov Unit, Insight, University of Galway

Outlining Policy implications to overcome barriers to SMEs and Start-ups in the EU | Francesco Mureddu, Senior Director, The Lisbon Council

Presentation of the interactive exercise and its modus operandi | Ilaria Mariani, Assistant Professor, Politecnico di Milano

Interactive exercise and open discussion

Closing remarks

Registrations are now open at this link.