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.
Unitary Patent vs European patent validations: a cost guide for SMEs
One renewal fee for 18 EU states, under EUR 5,000 in ten years, or country-by-country validation? How SMEs and non-EU groups should choose.
Trade secret protection in Spain: a reasonable-measures checklist
Under Spain's Law 1/2019 there is no trade secret without reasonable measures. A practical checklist, the three-year deadline and the UPC confidentiality trap.
Pelham’s sample is pastiche: Germany’s top court closes Metall auf Metall
The BGH held on 3 September 2026 that Pelham's Kraftwerk sample is a lawful pastiche. What the CJEU test requires and where a licence is still…
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.
.AR domain disputes: NIC Argentina’s ten bad-faith criteria
How .ar domain disputes work before NIC Argentina: who can file, deadlines, appeals and the ten bad-faith criteria of Disposition 187/2023, with the evidence to gather.
One EU court, many countries: foreign IP claims after BSH v Electrolux
After BSH v Electrolux, an EU court at the defendant's domicile can hear infringement claims on patents of other EU and non-EU countries. What it means…
US backs fair use for AI training: the statement of interest and the G20
The US government told the OpenAI court that AI training is fair use and pressed the G20 to agree. Why that stops at the US border…
Strategic IP advisory in Latin America: Andean, Mercosur and Mexico
The Andean Community shares one IP law, Mercosur has none and Mexico has its own: how to group filings, watching and use across the three systems.
IKEA v Vlaams Belang (C-298/23): free speech and reputed trade marks
In C-298/23 the CJEU held that a political party must show its freedom of expression outweighs the owner's rights before using a reputed mark such as…
EPO electronic filing mandatory from April 2027: checklist for non-Europeans
From 1 April 2027 the EPO requires electronic filing and notification. What changes under CA/D 2/26 and a readiness checklist for applicants in Latin America and…
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…
WIPO Overview 3.1: AI, passive holding and unregistered marks in the UDRP
What the WIPO Overview 3.1 changes for UDRP complainants: evidence for unregistered marks, the refined passive holding test, AI-assisted evidence and more.
