The most significant of these innovations is the brand-new API functionality, which enables large-scale data providers to interact directly with the portal. Through this interface, organisations can now upload, retrieve, and manage records programmatically, streamlining bulk data operations and enhancing metadata quality. This upgrade not only reduces administrative overhead but also promotes greater interoperability between the portal and national or institutional cataloguing systems—delivering faster and more reliable integration for the many stakeholders involved in digitisation efforts.

Search engine and alert system

Alongside the API, the new search engine introduces advanced filtering, Boolean logic, and field-level precision, allowing users to easily locate works of interest.

Building on this, the revamped alert system now allows users to save personalised search queries and receive timely notifications when new relevant records are added. These improvements are designed with usability and scalability in mind, ensuring that both rights holders and cultural heritage institutions can monitor developments efficiently.

With these enhancements, the EUIPO continues to modernise access to out-of-commerce works and to foster a rights-respecting digital environment for European culture. This ambition is fully aligned with the EUIPO’s Strategic Plan 2030.  

About the Out-Of-Commerce Works Portal

Out-of-commerce works are works that are still protected by copyright but are not available commercially, such as literary works, audio-visual works, phonograms, photographs and unique works of art. To help the exchange of information about out-of-commerce works, a single publicly accessible online portal was established by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in 2019.

More information:

• Presentation of the Out-of-Commerce Works Portal

• Go to the Out-of-Commerce Works Portal

Source: https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/observatory/major-usability-upgrades-now-live-on-the-out-of-commerce-works-portal