Polish intellectual property and product liability updates

Poland is undergoing legislative developments concerning intellectual property and product liability. In August 2026, the Ministry of Justice published proposed changes to the civil and civil procedure codes to implement a European Union directive. These updates aim to modernize regulations by expanding the definition of a “product” to include digital goods, such as software and artificial intelligence. The framework intends to simplify compensation for damages to life, health, or property by introducing a presumption of defectiveness and requiring companies to disclose safety reports and internal documentation.

By September 2026, discussions shifted toward the Industrial Property Law. A draft amendment initiated by the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland proposes expanding legal representation rights in industrial property matters to include advocates and legal counselors. This proposal has faced opposition from the Polish Chamber of Patent Attorneys, which argues that such changes could cause a “decomposition of the system” due to a lack of necessary technical specialization. Additionally, debates persist regarding Poland’s decision to remain outside the European Union’s unified patent system and the Unified Patent Court.