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To date, new Guidelines for Examination have been published by the European Patent Office (EPO) almost every November like premier wines. But, with 2020-2021 not a year like any other, the new guidelines were instead published in February, entering into force on 1 March. Sylvain Chaffraix sets out the changes.
The growth of e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic has placed the IP spotlight once again on brand protection on online marketplaces. Markus Rouvinen sets out how recent case law may offer new routes for brand owners to protect their rights on these platforms.
A company's brand value and/or its product or innovation portfolio are key value differentiators, providing plenty of strategic reasons for merger or acquisition (M&A) activity. However, transferring and updating IP ownership is rarely a simple procedure. In this white paper, we set out common pitfalls and the key steps for success.
Download our factsheet for an overview of registered and unregistered design rights in the UK and EU following Brexit, and our top tips for brand owners on building an effective design right strategy.
For Novagraaf's roundtable last month, we gathered IP professionals from a range of industry sectors to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their IP strategies and operations. Download our white paper to read the key findings from that discussion.
When carrying out prior art searches, it’s important not to confuse the objective of patentability with that of freedom to operate. Vincent Robert explains the distinction.
A seniority claim allows the owner of a European trademark to claim prior rights based on existing EU national registrations. While a successful claim extends EUTMs back to the date of the earlier national registration, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should allow those rights to lapse, says Vanessa Harrow.
In response to a 2019 CJEU decision on collective marks, INTA has filed an amicus brief before EUIPO’s Grand Board of Appeal to set out its views on genuine use. Doddy Wolfs explains what the ruling and INTA’s submission could mean for owners of collective marks.
It is important to register any changes that affect the life of a patent or patent application with the relevant patent office(s). However, the requirements for updating a title – or consequences of not doing so – can differ dramatically, depending on the type of change and country, as Rose-Marie Ehanno and Paul Rolland explain.
Forgetting to register a change of name or address on patent office records can be a potentially costly and time-consuming oversight, as Rose-Marie Ehanno and Paul Rolland explain.
On 19 January 2021, we gathered Novagraaf experts to share recordals best practices.
With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis providing added incentive, consumers are increasingly turning to digital channels to access products and services. The recent phenomenon of influencer marketing offers both opportunities and pitfalls for brand owners, says Casper Hemelrijk.