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.
The .es domain dispute procedure: requirements, costs and timelines
How to recover a .es domain through Red.es's out-of-court procedure: who can file, what prior rights count, each stage and deadline, and WIPO's official fees.
How to opt out of AI training in the EU: Article 4 DSM rights reservations
How to reserve your text and data mining rights under Article 4(3) of the DSM Directive, what the LAION case teaches about machine-readable opt-outs and how…
Global industrial property consulting: what an IP diagnostic should cover
Free EU tools such as the IP Diagnostic Tool and IP Cost Tool are a good start. What a full IP portfolio diagnostic must add, and…
IP assignment vs licence: differences, risks and recordal requirements
An assignment transfers ownership; a licence grants permission. How the choice affects enforcement and what EUIPO, OEPM, WIPO and the EPO require you to record.
Seven weeks to the new gTLD deadline: what it means for brand owners
ICANN's 24 June update confirms the 12 August 2026 deadline. What brand owners should decide now: a .brand application, or objections and TMCH protection.
Shape marks after Tetra Laval (T-104/25): when packaging cannot be a trade mark
The General Court invalidated Tetra Laval's octagonal carton mark (T-104/25) because its shape is technically functional. Why packaging needs design, patent and trade mark layers.
European patent validation in Angola: what the EPO agreement means
Angola signed a validation agreement with the EPO on 23 June 2026 and Moldova joined the EPC. What it means for filings in Lusophone Africa and…
Copyright protection explained: what it covers, when it arises, who owns it
What copyright protects, when it arises without registration, how long it lasts in Spain, the EU, Mexico, Brazil and Nigeria, and who owns works made by…
Big brands still advertise on piracy sites: EUIPO’s 2025 report explained
EUIPO's 2025 ad-monitoring report: major brands reached 36% of ad impressions on infringing websites, which earned an estimated EUR 382 million. How to respond.
Generative AI use policies: protecting trade secrets and company IP
Why a generative AI use policy is evidence of the reasonable steps trade secret law requires, how it protects inventions and content, and which clauses to…
Cross-border IP contracting in Iberia: licences, assignments and recordals
Licensing or assigning IP across Spain and Portugal? The written-form, recordal and default rules that differ between Spain and Portugal, and the clauses to fix.
Registered Community design is now the EU design: what changes for you
Registered Community designs are now registered EU designs. What changes for renewals, licences, contracts and marking, and what stays exactly the same.
