On Monday, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) is hosting leading intellectual property experts from around the world for an intensive week‑long BookSprint aimed at producing a globally applicable Anti‑Counterfeiting Handbook. The initiative is organized by the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) of the U.S. Department of Commerce and brings together specialists from the public sector, judiciary, academia non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
About CLDP
The Commercial Law Development Program, established in 1992, supports U.S. national security and economic interests by assisting partner countries in improving their commercial legal frameworks. CLDP collaborates with governments, private-sector stakeholders, universities, and civil society networks to strengthen transparency, regulatory efficiency, and the rule of law – creating safer and more predictable markets for both local and international investors.
CLDP Project Lead Perspective
“On behalf of CLDP, I could not be more excited about this project. CLDP’s impact in the countries and regions where we work is substantial, and this Anti-Counterfeiting book project will increase CLDP’s ability to deliver transformative legal technical assistance to even more stakeholders across the globe. As the U.S. Department of Commerce, CLDP’s interest in protecting U.S. business interests abroad is of utmost importance, and strong international IP protection ensures that U.S. companies’ investments and brands are protected. However, it also supports economic growth in developing countries in two concrete ways: 1) U.S. businesses are more likely to invest in countries with strong IP protection and enforcement; and 2) Consumers are protected from the dangerous harms of counterfeit goods (such as pharmaceuticals, alcohol/spirits, household cleaning products, cosmetics, and automobile and airplane replacement parts, for example). By preparing and distributing this book, we hope to raise awareness and provide a valuable resource to all those who access it.” – Jocelyn Steiner, Attorney-Advisor (International), CLDP.
Significance for Lithuania and MRU
Although the handbook will pay particular attention to the South Caucasus, Central Asia and developing regions, the project is expected to significantly enrich Lithuania’s legal doctrine, strengthening domestic understanding of IP enforcement mechanisms and deepening the country’s engagement in global IP policy development.
MRU emphasizes that welcoming such a diverse international delegation aligns directly with the university’s academic mission and with its Law and Global Security program, which focuses on transnational legal challenges, regulatory resilience, and the security implications of illicit trade.
According to dr. Eglė Malinauskienė, Vice-rector for science and innovations of Mykolas Romeris University, who met a team of book authors in the early Monday morning, it is a great honor for Mykolas Romeris University to host this type of event in our Social Innovation Laboratories Hive. “Strong international focus and interdisciplinary approach towards law education and research have always been the hallmark of our university. I hope that the original event format „BookSprint“ will serve not only as a platform for preparing a draft of Global Anti‑Counterfeiting Handbook but also become as a model of good practice for our academics in developing both practice-oriented and scholarly publications”, - told dr. Eglė Malinauskienė.
According to the Director of the Bachelor programme “Law and Global Security”, MRU is pleased to host so many distinguished IP professionals under one roof. “We are honored that MRU was selected among the several locations internationally. We believe that this opens connections with professionals, provides a handbook manual for the students, and contributes to strengthening IP enforcement culture within Lithuania’s legal doctrine”, – told J. Valčiukas.
Partnership with the Private Sector – Collaboration with React
The project also marks an important milestone in cooperation between academia, U.S. government institutions, and the private sector. The anti‑counterfeiting organization React, a global network representing rights holders, has recently signed a cooperation agreement with MRU - an example of how public‑private collaboration can strengthen enforcement culture and generate practical tools for practitioners.
For React, this BookSprint is the first initiative of its kind within its international network. The organization highlights the value of joining forces with CLDP and MRU to produce a practical, accessible handbook that will support enforcement structures in the South Caucasus, Central Asia and in other regions experiencing high levels of illicit trade.
According to Kazimiera Saržickas, Regional Director North East Europe & Central Asia at React, this project is a powerful example of how public and private partners can work together to strengthen intellectual property protection globally. “Bringing experts from different countries to MRU for an intensive BookSprint is not only a unique first experience for the React network, but also an opportunity to contribute to a handbook that will support enforcement efforts in the South Caucasus, Central Asia and beyond, that are in significant need of practical and globally applicable solutions. I am personally very excited to be in such a great company of IP experts and experiencing the process of drafting a handbook within one week.” – Kazimieras Saržickas.
A Handbook with Global Impact
Among the contributing authors are Hon. Jennifer Choe‑Groves (U.S. Court of International Trade), Kristi O’Malley (ICHIP Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of Justice), Prof. Dr. Haris Hašić (University of Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Nikoloz Gogilidze (Mikadze Gegetchkori Taktakishvili LLC, Georgia), Juliana Fuchs (Brand Protection Counsel, PUMA) and others. MRU Lecturer Gytis Brazauskas will also contribute as a representative of both React and Mykolas Romeris University.
According to Gytis Brazauskas, Global Account Manager Tech & Automotive at React, “A Handbook with Global Impact captures exactly what this project aims to achieve. Working alongside such an accomplished group of IP professionals, each bringing courtroom, enforcement, policy, and brand‑protection expertise, is truly a one‑of‑a‑kind experience. I am especially pleased that the handbook will become both a practical tool for enforcement bodies worldwide and a meaningful learning resource for students. Representing both React and MRU in this international effort is a privilege, and I believe the handbook will meaningfully strengthen IP enforcement in the South Caucasus, Central Asia and other regions.” – Gytis Brazauskas.
Set for publication and international launch in summer 2026, the Anti‑Counterfeiting Handbook will be released under a Creative Commons license, translated into multiple languages, and distributed as a free resource worldwide. It will serve as a practical tool for governments, regulators, law enforcement agencies, and legal professionals committed to reducing counterfeit goods and strengthening consumer safety.
Through hosting the BookSprint, MRU positions itself and Lithuania as active contributors to international efforts to improve intellectual property enforcement and to advance global legal security.
