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.
OAPI’s first Lisbon GIs: Madd de Casamance and Penja pepper
Madd de Casamance and Penja pepper are the first OAPI GIs registered under the Lisbon Geneva Act. Where they can take effect and how EU trademark…
Morocco, Egypt and South Africa: three gateways for IP in Africa
Morocco, Egypt and South Africa sit outside OAPI and ARIPO. Which WIPO systems reach each market, where national filings are unavoidable and what to plan.
Multi-jurisdiction IP strategy: a decision matrix for filing routes
National, regional or international? A decision matrix for trademarks, designs and patents across Europe, Latin America and Africa, based on WIPO lists.
Cost of international trademark registration: budgeting 10 countries
A worked ten-country example with official WIPO and OEPM fees: what the Madrid route costs, which markets need national filings and what to budget after filing.
IP due diligence in Latin America: registries, recordals and red flags
Brazil, Mexico and the Andean Community tie licences, assignments and even royalty payments to local recordals. A country-by-country map of registries and red flags.
Portugal as the EU entry point for Brazilian companies: IP in Portuguese
How Brazilian companies can protect their brands in Portugal and the EU largely in Portuguese, and where language, representation and Madrid rules set limits.
Colombia as the gateway to the Andean Community: IP strategy with the SIC
Colombia shares Decision 486 with Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, is the only one in Madrid and its SIC acts as registry and court. How to build…
IP protection in Brazil: INPI timelines and fast-track options for EU firms
INPI took 18.3 months for unopposed trade marks and 4.3 years for patents in 2025. How European companies can plan Brazil and use the priority routes…
Mexico industrial property regulations 2026: what changes from 22 July
Mexico's new LFPPI Regulations apply from 22 July 2026: licences must be recorded with IMPI to bind third parties, enforcement reaches platforms and accounts, and filing…
Cross-border IP due diligence: a checklist for Europe, LatAm and Africa
A phase-by-phase checklist for IP due diligence in deals across Europe, Latin America and Africa, and why unrecorded assignments and licences can undermine value.
EU–Mexico trade deal cleared in Brussels: 568 EU GIs and a stronger IP chapter
The Council closed the EU side of the EU–Mexico Interim Agreement on Trade on 14 July 2026. What its IP chapter means for GIs, trade marks…
Choosing IP correspondents in Latin America and Africa: criteria and control
Brazil, OAPI and many offices require local agents. How to choose IP correspondents in Latin America and Africa, compare their costs and keep control of quality.
