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.
International trademark renewals: deadlines, grace periods and Madrid
Renewal windows, grace periods, surcharges and use declarations across the EU, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, the Andean Community, Cuba, ARIPO and the Madrid System.
Trademark due diligence in Latin American deals: 10 checks before you sign
Ten trademark checks for M&A and licensing deals in Latin America: registered owner, chain of title, recordals, non-use exposure, licences and Madrid dependency.
Cuba’s new trademark law is in force: sound marks, bad faith and non-use
Decree-Law 103/2025 is in force in Cuba since 8 August 2026: sound marks, bad-faith nullity, cancellation after three years of non-use and 60-day deadlines.
Argentina overhauls trademark oppositions, cancellations and assignments
INPI Resolution 297/2026 front-loads evidence in Argentine trademark oppositions, alongside new rules on nullity, non-use cancellation, assignments and UMAPI fees.
Madrid Protocol in Latin America and Africa: who’s in, who’s out (2026)
Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Chile and OAPI are in the Madrid System; Argentina, Peru, Nigeria and South Africa are not. The 2026 map and what it means…
“Joyería de Córdoba”: how the new craft GIs collide with trademarks
"Joyería de Córdoba" is Spain's first craft and industrial GI. How these new EU geographical indications can block trademarks with place names, and what to check.
USPTO switches to Madrid e-Filing: what it means for US brands in LatAm
From 1 October 2026 US Madrid filings move to WIPO's Madrid e-Filing. What the WIPO account, Swiss franc fees and Madrid map mean for US brands…
Uruguay trademark registration: what the DNPI’s new AI assistant changes
Uruguay's DNPI has built an AI assistant for formal trademark examination. Why clean national filings matter, with the deadlines foreign applicants must meet.
Trademark watch in 25 jurisdictions: a calendar built on opposition deadlines
Opposition windows run from one month in Mexico to three at the EUIPO and OAPI. How to set a trademark watch calendar across Europe, Latin America…
Kenya’s IP Bill 2026: one authority (KIPA) for trademarks and counterfeiting
Kenya's IP Bill 2026 would merge KIPI, KECOBO and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority into one authority, KIPA. The Trade Marks Act stays; who runs it and how…
Madrid Union Assembly 2026: new rules, Portuguese and the dependency debate
The Madrid Union Assembly adopted rule changes in force on 1 November 2026 and kept open the Portuguese language and dependency debates. What it means for…
OPENAI refused (T-555/25): how to name an AI product you can register
The General Court upheld the EUIPO refusal of OPENAI as descriptive (T-555/25, 15 July 2026). What it means for naming and registering AI products in the…
