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.
OEPM grants for patents abroad: lessons from the 2026 call for the next one
What the OEPM's 2026 call funded for PCT, EPO and foreign national filings, who could apply, the documents that cause rejections and how to prepare for…
Logos, characters and packaging: copyright and trademark at the same time
A logo or mascot can be protected by copyright and as a trademark at once. How the two layers differ, who owns a commissioned design and…
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.
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…
Iberian trademark strategy: OEPM, Portugal’s INPI or an EU trade mark?
OEPM and INPI national marks or an EU trade mark? A practical comparison of fees, opposition periods, risks and licensing for companies entering Spain and Portugal.
GII 2026 clusters: Barcelona and Madrid in the world’s top 50
Barcelona (45th) and Madrid (48th) stay in WIPO's top 50 innovation clusters, with 40% and 51% of PCT filings shared with outside partners. What that means…
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.
Cross-border patent licensing: recording in Brazil, Spain and Portugal
Brazil's new INPI contract rules, licence recording in Spain and Portugal, royalties after Brazil's 2023 tax reform and licence-of-right fee savings explained.
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.
“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.
Trademark watch and defence against third parties: from alert to lawsuit
The escalation ladder for trademark defence in Spain and the EU, from watch alert to warning letter, opposition, invalidity and lawsuit, with the deadlines that matter.
IMPI becomes a PCT International Searching Authority: what changes
IMPI has been appointed PCT search and preliminary examination authority, working in Spanish. Who can use it, when it starts and Mexico's new priority restoration.
