While studying for her LLM in Intellectual Property Law at Brunel Law School, Yelyzaveta Pohrebniak was selected for a prestigious traineeship with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Below, she shares her experience of how the Brunel LLM in Intellectual Property Law helped open the door to this opportunity, as well as insights into her ongoing traineeship and professional development.
All students, loving IP as much as I do, assemble! You are about to hear about exciting opportunity for you!
My name is Yelyzaveta, and I am Graduate of the Brunel University London, majoring in Intellectual Property Law. I am currently undertaking a traineeship at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for 2025-2026, specifically within the Observatory on Infringements of IP Rights.
Reflecting on my journey, I can confidently say that the LLM in IP Law at Brunel Law School provided me with the comprehensive foundation of IP Law essential for this role.
One thing I quickly realised at EUIPO is how specialised each department is. Legal Affairs Department focuses, among others, on privacy and data protection, Business Operations Department handles trademark and design assessments, and the Observatory - where I have traineeship - deals extensively with multifaceted nature of IP infringements, including in the digital environment, cooperation with intermediaries, enforcement, and IP awareness raising.
With EUIPO now also accepting applications for craft and industrial geographical indications, the range of IP rights involved is truly expansive. What made my studying at Brunel so valuable was that we studied all these areas in depth: trademarks, designs, copyright, and intermediary responsibilities. This comprehensive approach means I can understand the work happening across the entire organisation, not just in my own department.
What's particularly exciting is how relevant my studies have been to current developments. The EUIPO is focused, among others, on generative AI and its impact on intellectual property - exactly the kind of emerging challenge we examined at Brunel. IP law is evolving rapidly and watching how EUIPO adapts to keep pace with technological change has been fascinating.
I also want to highlight something important about Brunel's programme: despite being based in the UK, we studied EU law extensively, along with the international IP frameworks that the UK continues to follow. It wasn't just a UK-focused programme. That dual perspective has been essential in helping me understand EUIPO's role in the wider international IP landscape and has made my transition into this European institution much smoother.
In conclusion, dear IP students, do not hesitate to participate in this program! EUIPO Traineeship is unique opportunity to learn more about IP, discover how EU institutions work and create life-long bonds with your colleagues! Break a leg!
Yelyzaveta Pohrebniak
Trainee, Observatory on IP Infringements, EUIPO (2025-2026)