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.
Deferment of publication of an EU design: 30 months, fees and launch timing
Since 1 July 2026, EU design deferment must be paid at filing and publication is automatic after 30 months. Fees, protection during deferment and launch strategy.
Designs in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru: national routes, no Hague
Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru are outside the Hague System. National offices, terms, grace periods and how to plan the six-month priority window.
EU design repair clause: what spare-part makers and OEMs can and cannot do
The repair clause excludes design protection for form-dependent spare parts used to restore original appearance. Scope, labelling duty and the 2027-2032 timeline.
Unregistered EU design: three years of protection and when it is not enough
The unregistered EU design gives three years of protection against copying from first disclosure in the EU. How it works, its limits and when to register.
Protecting GUIs, icons and virtual products as EU designs after the reform
Since 1 July 2026, EU design law expressly covers GUIs, animated icons and virtual products. What qualifies, how to represent it and where filings go wrong.
How much does an international design cost? Hague fees explained
What a Hague international design registration costs: basic, publication and designation fees, examples for the EU and Latin American and African members, and hidden costs.
First EU designs registered with video and 3D: lessons for tech companies
The EUIPO published the first video and 3D EU designs on 28 July 2026. What animated design registration protects and what tech and AI companies should…
International design protection for Latin American firms entering Europe
EU design, Hague or national filings? How Latin American companies can protect designs in Europe, who can use Hague and what each route costs in official…
Hague system changes 2026: EAPO and Lao PDR join, no 3D or video yet
July 2026 Hague Union Assembly: EAPO and Lao PDR join, the single-class rule is still under review and 3D and video remain EUIPO-only.
DesignView adds Ukraine: how to run a WIPO industrial design search
DesignView now holds 24.7 million designs after adding Ukraine. How to search it and WIPO's Global Design Database before you launch or file a design.
Saudi Arabia ratifies the Riyadh Design Law Treaty: what will change
Saudi Arabia ratified the Riyadh Design Law Treaty on 8 July 2026. Four of 15 parties so far: what the treaty will harmonise and why foreign…
EU design filings in H1 2026: down 1% overall, Spain up 28%
EU design applications fell 1% in H1 2026 to 61,951, Spain grew 28% and China holds 28.5%. What a crowded, unexamined register means for your next…
