DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL LAW OF THE INSTITUTE OF LAW
Academic and Research Institute of law
Sumy state university
On 2 July 2026, Maryna Utkina, Associate Professor at the Department of Criminal Law Disciplines and Procedure of the academic and research institute of law, Sumy State University, participated in the CAJI Annual Conference 2026, hosted by the Centre for Access to Justice and Inclusion at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Within the framework of the international educational project ERASMUS-JMO-2023-MODULE – ERASMUS2027 – 101125350 – “EUEPPDC”: EU Experience in Personal Data Protection in Cyberspace, implemented under the Jean Monnet Module of the Erasmus+ Programme, a textbook has been published by a collective of authors addressing key issues of personal data protection in the digital environment.
On June 12, 2026, the Department of Criminal Law Disciplines and Judiciary hosted a round table on the topic “Protection of Intellectual Property Rights of Researchers and Research Institutions.” The event brought together scientists, practicing lawyers, intellectual property experts, and representatives of higher education institutions and research establishments.
The event served as a crucial platform for the professional discussion of contemporary challenges in the field of protecting and defending intellectual property rights in research activities. Key topics included the nuances of commercializing research results, the impact of open science policies on the legal regime of intellectual property objects, and the latest trends associated with the use of artificial intelligence.
The organizers delivered a welcoming address to the participants, emphasizing the growing importance of effective legal protection for the results of intellectual activity amidst the digital transformation of science and Ukraine’s integration into the European research area.
Anna Shtefan (Doctor of Law, practicing lawyer, international projects expert, and Head of the Department of Copyright and Related Rights at the Scientific Research Institute of Intellectual Property)
Topic: “Problems of Academic Works-for-Hire and Open Science”
Highlights: The speaker focused on the legal aspects of creating works-for-hire in the scientific sphere, the distribution of property rights between authors and institutions, and the challenges arising from the proliferation of open science principles and open access to research results.
Anton Polikarpov (Managing Partner of the Law Bureau “Polikarpov Law Firm” – https://polikarpov.legal/)
Topic: “Patent Novelty and Scientific Publication: How a Researcher Can Preserve the Possibility of Legal Protection for Research Results”
Highlights: This presentation generated significant interest. The speaker detailed the practical aspects of the relationship between patenting and publishing scientific research results. He highlighted the risks of losing the novelty criterion due to premature publication and outlined action algorithms for researchers aiming to ensure adequate legal protection for their developments.
Anastasiia Yarmoliuk (PhD, Assistant at the Department of Intellectual Property and Information Law of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Law at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and Head of the Department for the Development of the Network of Technology and Innovation Support Centers at the “Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations” [UANIPIO])
Topic: “Features of Legal Protection of Intellectual Property and Development of Innovation Infrastructure in Higher Education Institutions and Research Establishments: European Experience and Perspectives for Ukraine”
Highlights: The report covered modern technology transfer mechanisms, the activities of technology and innovation support centers, and promising directions for adapting European practices to Ukrainian realities.
Olha Martysh (CEO of IPSTYLE)
Topic: “Commercialization of Innovations in Research Institutions: How IP Approaches Change the Role of the University”
Highlights: Drawing special attention from the audience, the speaker emphasized that the modern university increasingly acts not just as an educational and scientific center, but as an active participant in the innovation ecosystem. The presentation explored tools for managing an intellectual property portfolio, the specifics of collaborating with businesses, and mechanisms for transforming scientific results into competitive, innovative products.
Yevheniia Lytvynenko (Head of the TISC at Sumy State University)
Topic: “Harmonization of Copyright Protection for AI Software in Scientific Research: Approaches of Ukraine and the European Union”
Highlights: Concluding the scientific discussion, this presentation analyzed current trends in the legal regulation of creative outputs generated using artificial intelligence technologies. It also covered the specifics of determining copyright subjects for AI software and the prospects for harmonizing Ukrainian legislation with EU law in this domain.
Following the round table, participants noted the high caliber of the scientific discussion, the relevance of the issues raised, and the necessity for continued interdisciplinary dialogue. This ongoing conversation is vital for improving the mechanisms of legal protection for the intellectual activity of researchers and institutions in the context of rapid technological advancement and Ukraine’s ongoing European integration.
On 3 June 2026, the Department of Criminal Law and Procedure of the Academic and Research Institute of Law at Sumy State University hosted a practical workshop entitled “Effective Patent Searching: Strategies and Tools in the Commercialisation of Innovations.” The event was conducted by Yevheniia Lytvynenko, Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Criminal Law and Procedure and Head of the Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Sumy State University.
On May 29, 2026, students of the Educational Programme “Law Enforcement Activity” of the Department of Criminal Law and Procedure visited the Biological Research and Records Department operating at the branch of the department based at the Sumy Research Forensic Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
For World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, which is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of June, the Monitoring Center for Intellectual Property Rights Infringements of the IP Office has prepared a special must-have digest.
On May 22, 2026, a scientific and practical workshop dedicated to the pressing challenges of cybersecurity and personal data protection in the digital age was held online. The event convened leading experts, academic staff, students, and prospective university applicants interested in digital privacy and IT law. The workshop was conducted within the framework of the Jean Monnet Module educational project (ERASMUS-JMO-2023-MODULE EUEPPDC).
The session was moderated by Mykhailo Dumchikov, Associate Professor at the Department of Criminal Law Disciplines and Procedure. In his opening remarks, he outlined the primary focus of the event: the identification of digital risks, mechanisms for their mitigation, and the overarching security of smartphone users.
The presentation program commenced with Yevheniia Lytvynenko, Assistant at the Department of Criminal Law Disciplines and Procedure and Head of the Technology and Innovation Support Center at Sumy State University. She presented a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory challenges concerning the protection of personal data and intellectual property in mobile applications. The speaker compared Ukrainian legislation with European standards—most notably the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)—and emphasized the necessity for the targeted harmonization of legal norms, enhanced platform liability, and clearer regulation of AI-generated content.
The academic discourse was continued by Nazariy Holovatskyi, Senior Lecturer at Uzhhorod National University, whose presentation focused on the specificities of utilizing biometrics within mobile ecosystems. He elucidated the legal distinctions between local on-device authentication and cloud-based data processing, thoroughly analyzing the stringent requirements of the GDPR: explicit separate consent, data minimization, and the foundational principle of “privacy by design.”
Zakhar Tovolzhanskyi, representing the Student Information Technology Center at SumDU, addressed the practical aspects of digital security. He highlighted the critical risks associated with downloading applications from unofficial sources and utilizing outdated software, providing empirical examples of prevalent attack vectors, including phishing and malware.
A dedicated discussion panel was formulated to compare the security philosophies of closed ecosystems (iOS) versus open-source platforms (Android). Participants were provided with actionable recommendations for digital hygiene, encompassing regular device reboots, timely software updates, the implementation of robust authentication protocols (including biometrics), and the avoidance of public Wi-Fi networks.
The workshop stimulated a dynamic debate. Notably, participants inquired about the protection of behavioral data and the practical implementation of the “right to be forgotten” within the Ukrainian legal context. Engaging prospective applicants in such open academic forums is of paramount importance, as it facilitates their immersion into the complexities of modern legal professions and underscores the relevance of European standards in cyberspace prior to their formal matriculation.
Following the event’s conclusion, the participants and organizers delineated the following strategic objectives:
Supporting legislative initiatives aimed at updating domestic personal data protection laws to align with EU standards, particularly concerning the technical realities of cloud-based biometrics.
Enhancing the digital literacy of the student body and general users regarding the risks of data dissemination within mobile applications.
Deepening collaborative efforts to organize future academic events focused on cybersecurity and digital rights within the ongoing scope of the Jean Monnet Module project.
We extend our profound gratitude to all speakers and attendees for their active participation, insightful inquiries, and highly professional discourse!
“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
On May 15, 2026, during the large-scale “Science Picnic” at Sumy State University dedicated to Science Day, the Educational and Scientific Institute of Law demonstrated the integration of cutting-edge technologies into modern legal science. In addition to hosting interactive hubs, the Institute was strongly represented in the event’s lecture hall, addressing one of today’s most pressing topics: the legal regulation of Artificial Intelligence.
As part of the Institute of Law’s Open Day, the Department of Criminal Law Disciplines and Procedure organized a series of hands-on workshops, allowing prospective students to immerse themselves in the “Law Enforcement” degree program.
Doctor of Law, Head of the Department of Criminal Law Disciplines and Judiciary, Olha Maletova, has become a laureate of the “Best Young Scientists of SumDU” competition in the nomination “Young Scientists – Doctors of Sciences.”
