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.
Global IP strategy for scale-ups: sequencing markets from Latin America
How Latin American scale-ups can sequence markets and IP budgets using the Paris priority year, the PCT's 30-month national phase and the gaps in PCT and…
OAPI or ARIPO? Regional trademark filing in Africa after Banjul 2026
OAPI grants one title for 17 states; ARIPO's Banjul Protocol works by designation, with a six-month national review and new USD fees since 1 March 2026.
ICANN support for 56 gTLD applicants: what it means for Africa and LatAm
56 applicants qualified for ICANN support in the 2026 gTLD round, 7 from Africa and 1 from Latin America. Fee cuts, bid credits and what corridor…
IP in a cross-border joint venture: ownership, improvements and exit
Background vs foreground IP, improvements and exit: what an IP joint venture agreement must settle, with the default rules in Spain, Brazil and EU competition law.
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…
EPO fee reductions for SMEs, micro-entities and Unitary Patent filers
Who qualifies for the EPO's 30% micro-entity and language fee reductions, how they combine, and who can claim EUR 500 for Unitary Patent translation costs.
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.
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.
Utility model vs patent: Spain, Germany, OAPI and Latin America compared
Utility models in Spain, Germany, OAPI, Mexico, Brazil and the Andean Community compared: term, examination, exclusions and when they beat a patent for SMEs.
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.
Patent routes in Africa: ARIPO, OAPI or national filings? A decision guide
ARIPO, OAPI or national filings? How each African patent route works, which countries need national filings and how to combine them from one PCT application.
