EU

Get your IP strategy off to a great start in 2021 by beginning the year with a review of your portfolio. A thorough audit of your IP now could help you to identify ways to streamline and exploit your portfolio ready for another potentially challenging year, and could save you money as well improving the efficiency of your assets.

The German Bundestag and Bundesrat approved the draft law ratifying the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court in November 2020. In theory, that means the Unitary Patent could come into force in 2022. If only, things were that simple, says Robert Balsters.

Read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Brexit and IP, from cloning of EU trademark and design rights to conversions, renewals, representation, customs applications, geographical indications, SPCs and much more.

Decision in 'Frigidaire' provides a reminder of the importance, yet difficulty, of quantifying and assessing genuine use. Trademark owners cannot be reminded enough of the vigilance that is necessary in this area.

The UK government recently announced a change to the rules of representation before the UKIPO. From 1 January 2021, new trademark, design and patent applications and contentious actions at the UKIPO will require a 'UK address for service' to be appointed.

The European Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) has found that Ferrari can retain the trademark rights to the Testarossa brand, even though production of the iconic sports car was discontinued in the 1990s, as Theo Visser explains.

The UK’s departure from the EU at the end of this year will change the territorial requirements for genuine use of EU and UK trademarks, as Vanessa Harrow explains.

Protecting patentable innovations in the US and EU is the foundation of many corporate patent portfolios. However, a first patent filing in the US can cause issues obtaining subsequent protection in Europe, as Nadège Lagneau explains.

In its unequivocal refusal of 'The Van Gogh' EU trademark application, the European IP Office (EUIPO) has confirmed its previous rulings on the likelihood of confusion between 'fruits extracts, alcoholic' and 'alcoholic beverages’, as Clémence Guilbert explains.

On 31 December, the Brexit transition period will come to an end and the UK will officially leave the EU. Vanessa Harrow looks in detail at the implications for trademark and design rights, including ongoing contentious proceedings.

An interim decision (T 0318/14, G 4/9), recently published in the Official Journal of the European Patent Office (EPO), has generated a number of comments from interested third parties on the topic of double patenting. This is a good time to take stock of this issue, says Martin Kohrs.

Brexit took place on 31 January 2020, but what happens next? Download our handy checklist of IP actions to take during and after the Brexit transition period.