Insights

We’re excited to learn that the 2026 Annual Meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) will take place from 2–6 May at ExCeL London, UK. Our London team is on hand in case you have any questions about preparing your visit to the next INTA Annual Meeting.  

For successful companies, growth rarely occurs by chance. Expansion requires sharp choices, market insight and the ability to turn assets – such as trademarks and technology – into competitive advantage.

In sectors defined by rapid cycles and shifting consumer expectations, such as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), IP is not just about protection, it’s about acceleration. The ability to secure, align, and commercialise IP at pace is central to how companies bring new products and services to market, and how they grow. 

The recent SKE v BB Crystal Bar trademark dispute in the UK emphasises the importance of robust and relevant evidence when seeking to establish goodwill, as Farhan Kazi explains.

From trade tariffs to changing import regulations, geopolitical uncertainty can cause many issues for international companies. At such times of change, intellectual property offers stability and protection, as Michaël Sumer explains.

The recent dispute over the Decathlon 'Easybreath' mask offers helpful clarity about the protection provided by EU design rights, says Florence Chapin. She dives into the ruling and the key takeaways for innovators.

Can a product which is marketed but not reproducible/analysable be considered prior art? This is the question at the heart of the decision in G 1/23, says Philippe Vigand. He explains the implications of the Enlarged Board of Appeal’s findings. 

The rapid dissemination of AI-generated images in the style of the famous Japanese Studio Ghibli on social media will probably not have escaped your attention. This new trend raises some important legal and ethical questions about generative AI and copyright, as Gaëlle Andrieu explores. 

Should ‘applied art’, such as furniture or modular design systems, be subject to a stricter test of originality in copyright law than other works, such as paintings or novels?