Blog
Analysis and commentary on intellectual property developments relevant to cross-border business across Europe, Latin America and Africa. We publish on the matters that affect how intangible assets are protected, exploited and defended — from EUIPO and WIPO practice to the implementation of the EU AI Act and the evolution of intellectual property regimes across Latin American and African jurisdictions.
US–Latin America design strategy: US design patents vs Hague designations
Direct US design patent or a Hague application covering the US, Mexico and Brazil? Fees, unity of design, terms and the national filings still needed in…
The Hague System in numbers: what 2025 data tells cross-border designers
WIPO's 2025 Hague data: record design filings, top origins and designated members, leading Locarno classes, average fees and what they mean for Europe, LatAm and Africa.
Birkenstock v Lidl in the Netherlands: when copyright protects design
A Dutch court banned Lidl's Birkenstock lookalikes, but found copyright in only two features. The ruling, the CJEU's Mio test and why designs need both layers.
DesignEuropa Awards 2026: Spain’s Showee wins the Public Choice Award
Spain's Showee won the first Public Choice Award at the DesignEuropa Awards 2026. The winners, the EU design entry rule and the protection lessons for SMEs.
Managing a multi-country design portfolio: renewals, deadlines and costs
EU designs, Hague registrations and Latin American rights renew on different clocks. Terms, grace periods, surcharges and fees to build one renewal calendar.
Spain and Portugal: national design at OEPM or straight to an EU design?
OEPM, INPI Portugal or EUIPO? Official fees, renewals over 25 years, oppositions and the pending reform of Law 20/2003, compared to choose the right design route…
Brazil’s INPI opens consultation on priority examination for designs
INPI's Public Consultation 02/2026 proposes priority queues for design applications in Brazil. Who could qualify, how the pilot would work and the 23 October deadline.
Designs in cross-border IP due diligence: checklist for Europe and LatAm
What to check in design portfolios during cross-border deals: chain of title, renewals, Hague designations, creator details, deferred and unregistered EU designs and Latin American rules.
General Court rejects Puma: trendsetting designs get no broader protection
The General Court dismissed Puma's action in T-376/25: setting a trend neither limits other designers' freedom nor broadens your own design protection. Key points and lessons.
The Ⓓ symbol: how to mark products protected by a registered EU design
Holders of registered EU designs can mark products with Ⓓ. When the symbol may be used, how to apply it to products and packaging, and how…
Industrial designs in Africa: OAPI, ARIPO, Hague and national offices
Hague reaches OAPI's 17 states, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia; ARIPO covers 20 states including Kenya; South Africa and Nigeria need national filings. A route map for…
3D printing and EU design rights: the exclusive right over printable files
Registered EU designs now cover printable files: creating, downloading, copying and sharing them can be prohibited. Scope, limits and how to act against 3D printing infringement.
