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.
USM Haller II: Germany’s top court applies Mio/konektra to furniture
Germany's BGH applied the CJEU's Mio/konektra test to the USM Haller furniture system: same originality standard as other works, judged objectively. What it means for designers.
Who owns works created by employees and contractors? Spain vs Mexico
Spain and Mexico allocate rights in employee and commissioned works very differently, including Mexico's 50/50 rule. How to align contracts in both countries.
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.
Is there a global copyright? How the Berne Convention protects your works
No single global copyright exists, but Berne protects works in 182 countries without formalities. What it guarantees and where ownership, term and proof still differ.
Software copyright protection in the EU: what Directive 2009/24 covers
Directive 2009/24 protects code as a literary work, not ideas or interfaces. What is covered, what users may do and who owns code written by staff…
NIS2: Spain and Ireland go to the EU Court, and what it means for WHOIS
The Commission has referred Spain and Ireland to the EU Court over NIS2. What Article 28 requires on WHOIS data and what it means for brands…
Patents in Spain and Portugal: Portugal is in the UPC, Spain is not
A Unitary Patent covers Portugal but not Spain. How to combine unitary, European and national routes, translation deadlines and courts in one Iberian plan.
IP clauses in distribution agreements: brand use, quality and exit
Which IP clauses an international distribution agreement needs, and how the Paris Convention, the EU and Spain let you recover a mark your distributor registered.
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…
Publishers v Google over Gemini: scope-limited licences and your deals
Hachette, Cengage, Elsevier and Scott Turow sued Google on 10 July 2026 over Gemini training. Why the scope-limited licence theory matters for content licensing in Europe.
Guardant v Sophia Genetics: UPC appeal court refuses a late injunction
The UPC Court of Appeal refused Guardant a preliminary injunction because it waited nearly three months. What the order says about urgency, multiple patents and costs.
Contracts with AI vendors: output ownership, indemnities and data
Who owns AI output, what vendor IP indemnities exclude and whether your data trains the model: the clauses to check in AI vendor contracts, with EU…
