EU

With the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court system on the horizon, the first question for European patent rights holders is whether to opt-out from the jurisdiction of the UPC before the system comes into force.

Unfair commercial practices not only prevent consumers from making informed decisions; they also impact the bottom line and reputation of the impacted companies. Here's what you can do about it.

It’s possible to protect the shape of a new product through trademark, design and copyright law. However, in reality, design law and copyright are generally the most applicable.

Trademark disputes can have starkly different outcomes in different jurisdictions, as demonstrated by a number of parallel EU and UK oppositions. UK Trademark Attorney Mona Asgari examines the different positions taken by the EUIPO and UKIPO in a recent opposition based on indirect confusion and emphasises the importance of local representation.

In response to recent uncertainty around the need for a UK address for service (AFS) for UK trademarks and designs, the UKIPO issued a Tribunal Practice Notice on 25 January 2023. Vanessa Harrow sets out the changes and offers practical advice for affected rights holders.

Read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about when a UK address for service is required for UK trademarks and designs.

A November 2022 decision by the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office addresses several issues relating to the sufficiency of disclosure in patent descriptions.

When seeking to describe a particular characteristic, intended purpose or function of a product, you can reference another brand’s trademark. However, there can be a fine line between such informative use and trademark infringement. 

In our 7 March webinar on IP and packaging, our experts explained how to use trademarks, designs and copyright to protect packaging visuals and messaging, and tackle IP infringement and counterfeiting.

A thorough review of your trademark portfolio now will put both your IP rights and your business in a strong position for the year to come. Assess your registrations for strength, accuracy and cost with the help of our three-step process.

Yet another country has deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid System for international trademark registrations, with Belize joining the list of Madrid System countries as of 24 February 2023.

With the imminent entry into force of the Unified Patent Court Agreement, the countdown has begun to opt-out of the jurisdiction of the new European court. Marie-Noëlle de la Fouchardière explains what can be opted out, by whom and how to simplify the management of opt-out declarations.