On Wednesday evening, 5th March, Xiaomi Arena hosted the first new music industry award GAMMA awards ceremony, organized by the Latvian Association of Performers’ and Producers’ Association. The award in the nomination “Innovation of the Year in Music Technologies” was presented to the applicant nominated by the Latvian Patent Office (LPO) – the Sonarworks company.
The award was presented to Sonarworks by LPO director Agris Batalauskis: “Technologies created in Latvia, including music equipment and software, are used in world-class recording studios and concert halls. It may sound incredible, but our country is not only a place of talent, but also a place where unique, creative ideas are born that change the music industry in the world. It is intellectual property that has put the Latvian music industry on the world map. I am pleased that we can honour and highlight such great examples also in Latvia.”
An important requirement for the nomination was the protected intellectual property, and Sonarworks has this condition fulfilled. The company has a number of patented innovations, their patents having international protection. “If protecting intellectual property in Europe earlier required a separate application in each country and significant administrative expenses, now the European unitary patent system allows a company to get protection in participating European countries with a single application. And what is not less important, the innovations have been commercialized and are offered on the market with registered trademarks,” says the LPO director.
To evaluate the applicants for the nomination “Innovation of the Year in Music Technology”, the following criteria were considered:
- Uniqueness: the innovation is new, original and is the first and only one of its type that has been created in the music industry.
- Creativity: a new and ambitious approach to addressing gaps and improving the performance of the music industry and creating new opportunities for industry players to improve their performance and enhance the music experience for consumers.
- Technological development and excellence: the use of knowledge-based outstanding technology in the creation, production or distribution of music and sound, as well as the introduction of new tools, platforms or devices that create a completely new, or change and improve, any aspect of music production or consumption.
- Intellectual property strategy and protection: the creator of an innovation protects, strategically manages and exploits his/her intellectual property rights. The innovator has registered a patent, trademark or design for his/her innovation. The creator and owner of intellectual property strategically uses his/her intellectual property assets, thereby increasing the value of the product, service, or company.
- Commercialization: the innovation is or will be converted, in the foreseeable future, into a commercializable and practically usable product or service for consumers in the market.
- Impact on the music industry: the created innovation positively affects the way artists create, produce or distribute music and improves the way consumers discover, listen to or interact with music. The unique innovation promotes the formation of positive feedback loops between artists, producers, and consumers. The innovation has a high potential for a lasting positive impact on the music industry and the establishment of new standards and/or practices.
Find more about the award at www.gammabalva.lv
The LPO nominates its candidates with the support of the European Patent Office.