On July 20, 2018, CLDP, in coordination with the Georgian Copyright Association (GCA) and the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia, “Sakpatenti,” conducted a one-day training for 27 Georgian journalists and other representatives of the media in Batumi, Georgia. Judge Bernice Donald, U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Judge Oliver Schön of the District Court of Munich led the training and provided a general overview of intellectual property law, highlighting recent trends and developments in the U.S. and the E.U.  Additionally, representatives of the GCA and Sakpatenti updated participants on the status and developments in copyright management and the laws governing intellectual property in Georgia. The development of an efficient system of intellectual property protection is a priority of the Government of Georgia. As such, Georgia has engaged in a number of initiatives to enhance the protection of intellectual property rights and to build public awareness and respect for this protection. This program contributed to these initiatives by laying a foundation for better news coverage of intellectual property disputes, which will lead to increased public awareness of the importance of intellectual property rights in the country. 

On July 21-22, 2018, CLDP held a two-day workshop on the adjudication of intellectual property infringement cases in Batumi, Georgia. The High School of Justice of Georgia contributed to the workshop and coordinated the participation of 27 judges from the Tbilisi Court of Appeals, Tbilisi City Court, as well as other district and city courts throughout Georgia. Judge Bernice Donald, U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Judge Oliver Schön of the District Court of Munich discussed global best practices in intellectual property law and led interactive case studies designed for practical application of key concepts in copyright and trademark law. Representatives of the Georgian Copyright Association and the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia also partnered on the workshop, presenting country-specific case studies that focused on interpretation and application of Georgian intellectual property law. This workshop promoted reasoned decision-making and a uniform approach to intellectual property disputes, which will lead to more predictable, harmonized, and efficient adjudication of these cases throughout Georgia. Guaranteeing the protection of intellectual property rights is fundamental to attracting foreign investment, as it is a critical factor in whether U.S. investors and businesses enter or increase their presence in a market.