The INPI, Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (National Institute of Industrial Property), is the French public body responsible for managing intellectual property rights in France. Founded in 1951 and based in Courbevoie, a suburb of Paris, it is under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The INPI’s main mission is to protect the innovations of companies, inventors, and creators by registering intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, and designs.
The INPI is also responsible for examining and granting these rights in France and ensuring their compliance with legal requirements. It manages the national registers of patents, trademarks, and designs, which bring together information on the latest status of intellectual property rights in force.
Beyond its administrative functions, the INPI also works to raise awareness among economic actors of the importance of intellectual property in protecting their innovations and strengthening their competitiveness.
The INPI provides free online tools and databases. It also participates in the fight against counterfeiting and the defence of intellectual property rights. Finally, it contributes to the development of public policies on innovation and competitiveness.