Creative economies and the intellectual property system are confronted recently with a number of challenges that can be attributed to the changing attitude of the 21st century consumer towards intellectual property. This consumer confidently exploits the full copying and sharing potentials of digital technology, reacts vehemently to access control matters, builds powerful content developing communities and often labels the current business practices of creative economies as excessive. In general, this consumer shows higher awareness to intellectual property issues than ever before. Nonetheless, in the variety of adaptive responses proposed or applied by policy makers, legislators, creative economy players and IP professionals in consideration of this changing attitude, one steady element seems to enjoy general consensus. Without the incentives intellectual property provides to creativity, consumers may find themselves soon on the loosing side.
    Granting efficient protection to creators and preserving both appropriate freedom of trade and access to information and entertainment require a well-balanced legal system. Where do we go from here? Is it time to redefine the much quoted "proper balance" between protection regimes and public interests? How does the current IP regime respect and protect interests of consumers but also importantly, creators? Which are the gates to be opened or closed by policy makers and legislators to arrive ultimately to a win-win situation? How does the changing attitude of the 21st century consumer affect the day-to-day trade of the IP professional and how this is reflected in case-law or in business practices?
    The Budapest Dialogue addresses these timely questions and may help you getting somewhat closer to find the right answers. Be part of the conversation!
    The primary objective of the conference is to examine in a balanced way the many aspects of the relationship between intellectual property, creative economy and the consumers by calling upon both high officials of the competent international and European organisations and the representatives of the various groups of stakeholders – some of the world's finest experts of the matter – to do so. Apart from the plenary sessions, three sector-specific workshops will cover the special issues in the fields of copyright, patent and trademark protection with regard to aspects of competition law, with the participation of leading IP professionals. The dialogue will be a balanced blend of obtaining fresh information and exchanging, wherein ample opportunities will be provided to discuss relevant political, legal and practical matters ranging from drug patents to DRM up to trademark problems of domain names.
    In compensation to devoting your attention to these matters of substance, a beautiful city and the relaxed environment of a wellness hotel await you to enjoy and benefit from the Budapest Dialogue, an International Conference on Intellectual Property, Creative Economies and their Consumers.
    We look forward to welcoming you in the Conference.

Dr. Pál Tomori
Chairman of the Organising Committee