New EU commissioners for IP portfolios

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Cookies Settings

New EU commissioners for IP portfolios

Elžbieta Bienkowska, formerly deputy prime minister of Poland, is to be the new EU Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SME Commissioner

bienkowska.jpg

Her nomination to the expanded directorate was announced today by President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker.

Her portfolio covers most of the work previously handled by the Enterprise and Industry and Internal Market and Services commissioners.

Notably, she will take over most IP matters from former Commissioner Michel Barnier of France, including oversight of OHIM and responsibility for the proposed trade mark reforms and the work on the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court.

However, copyright work will fall under Commissioner Günther Oettinger of Germany, who is in charge of Communications Networks, Content and Technology.

The European Parliament now has to give its consent to the full College of Commissioners, following hearings in the relevant parliamentary committees.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

After months of speculation over his next move, former Texas patent judge Alan Albright has found a new home at the firm’s Austin office
Law firms can now participate in the research for the Managing IP Awards and IP STARS rankings
The firm has hired former Norton Rose Fulbright patent prosecution leader Ronak Kalhor-Witzel as it seeks to strengthen its position in high-value technology, UPC and international patent matters
The Dutch division is cementing its position as the UPC's primary alternative to Germany, with a consistent share of filings and growing market influence
Angela Dunning shares why it’s an exciting time to be practising at the intersection of AI and IP, where the law is actively being made
Junior lawyers aren’t unwilling to work hard, as some seniors believe; rather, they are rejecting traditional career advancement models that have limited payoff
Rebekah Gay discusses overcoming self-doubt, supporting the next generation of women lawyers, and how changing client demands are reshaping IP practice
New filing data suggests Germany's grip on UPC litigation remains strong, while Bardehle Pagenberg, Arnold Ruess, Hogan Lovells and Carpmaels notch up notable cases
In 27 years, KASS has expanded to seven countries in southeast Asia and is now eyeing further growth opportunities. Its CEO shares her perspective
Mine Güner discusses bridging law and business, taking the initiative, and why Taylor Swift helped put copyright on the map
Gift this article