Luxembourg Plans New Intellectual Property Office

On Thursday 22 October 2026, Luxembourg's Ministry of the Economy announced plans to establish the Luxembourg Intellectual Property Office (OLPI).

The plans, presented by Luxembourg's Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, involve merging the ministry's existing Intellectual Property Office with the Luxembourg Intellectual Property Institute (IPIL), an economic interest grouping (EIG). The new administration will serve as a single point of contact for businesses, researchers, creators and other users seeking information and support on intellectual property matters.

The reform aims to simplify access to intellectual property services, particularly for SMEs and start-ups, by combining the expertise and resources of both organisations. It also supports the government's objectives of promoting innovation, simplifying administrative procedures and advancing digitalisation.

"Our aim is to help businesses better identify, enhance, manage and enforce their intellectual property assets," said Minister Delles.

Currently, the ministry's existing office oversees the legal framework for intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, designs and copyright. It also manages national patent registrations and represents Luxembourg's interests. Meanwhile, IPIL supports businesses through awareness-raising activities, training, advisory services and information research.

The OLPI will combine these responsibilities under one administration, offering users information and support on protecting and managing their intellectual property. Public administrations will also have access to its expertise, while cooperation with other innovation stakeholders, including Luxinnovation, will continue.

According to the ministry, the merger will allow teams to pool their expertise and provide businesses with more coordinated support. It will also involve continued efforts to simplify and digitalise procedures. These efforts build on services that are already widely used: 99% of patent applications are now submitted through the Benelux Patent Platform (BPP).

Plans also include the development of new services, including a "Name Checker", an online tool designed to verify the availability of a company name. The OLPI also aims to strengthen its participation in European projects to increase the visibility of Luxembourg businesses and research organisations and facilitate their access to partners and investors.

The new administration will bring together 27.5 full-time equivalent positions, including 12.5 from the Intellectual Property Office and fifteen from IPIL. The merger aims to strengthen services using existing resources, without generating substantial additional costs. The OLPI's own revenue is expected to finance most of its operations, noted the ministry.

The draft law, submitted in July 2026, outlines the future administration's responsibilities and is set to enter into force on 1 January 2027. However, given the ongoing legislative procedure, including the pending opinion of the Council of State, and the necessary preparations, the administration is expected to become operational in early 2028.

During the press conference, Iris Depoulain, Head of the Intellectual Property Office at Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Economy, outlined the responsibilities and organisation of the future administration. Minister Delles also thanked Serge Quazzotti, Director of IPIL, for his work in raising awareness among businesses and developing Luxembourg's expertise in intellectual property.