On 9 July 2025, the INSPIRING ERA project hosted an in-person exchange at the historic Bibliothèque Polonaise de Paris, focusing on one of the most dynamic and debated topics in today’s research policy: EU Copyright Rules and Data Access Rights for Research in the Age of AI.

The event brought together legal experts, policymakers, and research professionals from across Europe to unpack how rapidly evolving copyright and data legislation intersects with artificial intelligence and open science practices.

Key Themes

Participants examined how new EU rules on copyright and data access shape opportunities and risks for research and innovation. The programme featured leading voices from the European Commission, academia, and civil society, who addressed topics ranging from the Digital Services Act to research exceptions in copyright law, as well as AI models supporting Open Science.

Research Security and the Synergy Framework

In her contribution, Prof. Dr. Julia Priess-Buchheit (IP4OS, Kiel University) spotlighted the crucial role of research security as a factor in knowledge valorisation. Presenting the Synergy Framework developed within the IP4OS project, she demonstrated how Intellectual Property (IP) and Open Science (OS) can be strategically combined to steer innovation responsibly.

Her talk showcased real-world case scenarios where poorly managed data, licensing, or IP agreements could lead to loss of research integrity, legal conflicts, or even geopolitical misuse. At the same time, she highlighted that in the near future, there are many possibilities to legally steer trustworthy innovation and research by aligning IP and OS practices with robust security checks. This forward-looking approach positions research organisations to both comply with funder requirements and contribute to a more secure and sustainable European Research Area.

Looking Ahead

The Paris exchange underlined that building a harmonized legal and policy environment is essential to ensure researchers can both share knowledge openly and safeguard against misuse. INSPIRING ERA and IP4OS are continuing their collaboration to support institutions in developing the skills, frameworks, and awareness needed to navigate this complex landscape.