Armenian Bar Association Releases Report Advancing U.S.–Armenia Cooperation in AI, Semiconductors, and Advanced Technology
The Armenian Bar Association (ArmenBar) released a landmark third report from its Intellectual
Property & Information Technology (IP/IT) Committee, known as TechLaw, examining how Armenia can
expand access to advanced U.S. technologies and strengthen the legal and institutional safeguards
needed to support responsible technology transfer, innovation, and investment.
The report presents a practical roadmap for addressing export-control barriers that can constrain U.S.–
Armenia high-tech cooperation, while promoting compliance measures designed to prevent diversion
and protect the integrity of technology partnerships. Its recommendations are intended to support the
objectives of the August 2025 U.S.–Armenia Memorandum of Understanding on an AI and Semiconductor
Innovation Partnership.
The new report builds on more than a decade of TechLaw’s engagement with intellectual property and
technology-law issues in Armenia. Through research, collaboration with Armenian government
institutions and other stakeholders, and initiatives connecting legal, business, academic, scientific, and
technology communities, the Committee has worked to identify legal and institutional challenges and
develop practical reforms that can strengthen Armenia’s capacity for innovation, entrepreneurship,
investment, and technology development and commercialization.
The Committee’s work has included its 2019 IP Protection & Corporate Law Improvement Report, which
examined intellectual property and corporate-law issues and proposed reforms, as well as its 2023
Second Report: “Analyzing Intellectual Property-Related Challenges and Solutions in Armenia — Expert
Conclusions and Recommendations on Intellectual Property Rights Protection & Enforcement for
Armenian Innovation and Growth.” The 2023 report examined developments in Armenia’s IP laws and
enforcement mechanisms and sought to advance the country’s alignment with international practices.
The third report represents the Committee’s effort to develop a practical roadmap for improving
Armenia’s access to advanced U.S. technology by addressing the export-control barriers that currently
constrain U.S.-Armenia high-tech cooperation, while strengthening compliance and safeguards against
diversion. Ultimately, the third report is meant to support the objectives of the August 2025
U.S.-Armenia Memorandum of Understanding regarding an AI and Semiconductor Innovation
Partnership.
Report Launch and Expert Discussion
To mark the launch of the Report, the ArmenBar also organized a special discussion bringing together
experts to examine the report’s subject matter and broader developments in intellectual property,
technology, and innovation.
The program provided an opportunity for participants to discuss the legal and policy issues addressed by
the Report, consider their practical implications, and explore opportunities for continued cooperation
between Armenia and the global Armenian legal, technology, academic, and business communities. The
discussion is available online.
Building Armenia’s Innovation and IP Ecosystem
The ArmenBar’s IP/IT Committee — also known as TechLaw — is dedicated to fostering a dynamic
ecosystem for intellectual property and information technology law in Armenia and among legal
professionals of Armenian heritage around the world. The Committee serves as a link between
practitioners and academicians in the Diaspora and stakeholders in Armenia, facilitating the exchange of
expertise concerning patents, trademarks, copyrights, technology law, and related transactional and
litigation matters.
The Committee has also played an active role in initiatives designed to strengthen Armenia’s position as
an innovation hub. Its work has included organizing the IP & Corporate Law Summit in Yerevan,
collaborating with Armenian ministries and government agencies, contributing to legislative and
institutional reform efforts, and supporting capacity-building among members of the judiciary, legal
profession, and business community.
The Committee’s approach emphasizes that a strong innovation ecosystem requires effective intellectual
property protection, practical implementation, and collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
Strong IP laws and enforcement mechanisms, together with workable investment and
technology-transfer frameworks, can provide an important foundation for innovators, entrepreneurs,
investors, researchers, and businesses seeking to develop and commercialize new ideas and
technologies.
“We are proud to continue the Armenian Bar Association’s commitment to advancing intellectual
property and technology law in Armenia,” said Denise Darmanian, Co-Chair of the ArmenBar IP/IT
Committee. “This report reflects the Committee’s continuing effort to bring together legal expertise,
government stakeholders, business and technology communities, and members of the Diaspora to
identify practical ways to strengthen Armenia’s innovation ecosystem.”
Karén Tonoyan, Co-Chair of the IP/IT Committee, added, “The development of a modern and effective
legal and institutional framework for innovation is an ongoing process. Through research, dialogue,
education, and collaboration with stakeholders in Armenia and abroad, the Committee seeks to translate
practical recommendations into reforms that help innovators protect and commercialize their work,
attract investment, and access the technologies and international partnerships needed to grow.”
The Armenian Bar Association recognizes the contributions of the many professionals and institutions
whose expertise and collaboration have supported the IP/IT Committee’s work over the years.
