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.
Medtech and life sciences: PCT national phase in Latin America and Africa
Where medtech and life-science scale-ups must enter at 30 or 31 months, how OAPI and ARIPO differ and what to do in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and…
Global Innovation Index 2026: what it means for Latin America and Africa
Chile leads Latin America, Brazil is the region's only overperformer and South Africa overperforms for a ninth year. How to read the GII 2026 for IP…
Trademark counterfeiting enforcement: customs, platforms and criminal action
How customs, online platforms and criminal courts act against counterfeits in Europe, Latin America and Africa, and why every tool starts with a local registration.
Enforcing IP across OAPI’s 17 member states: one title, many courts
An OAPI title covers 17 states, but each infringement case goes to national courts. Validity rulings, seizures, customs and deadlines under the Bangui Agreement.
Global trademark protection for tech and AI brands: classes 9/42 and Madrid
Class 9 was the most specified Madrid class in 2025. How SaaS and AI firms should draft classes 9 and 42 and fill the Latin American…
Copyright protection in Africa: OAPI, South Africa and Nigeria compared
How copyright works in the 17 OAPI states, South Africa and Nigeria: ownership, term, written assignments, fair use and collective licensing.
Canal+ and LaLiga’s anti-piracy alliance: private enforcement in Africa
LaLiga and Canal+ will share intelligence and coordinate action against piracy in nearly 50 countries. What it means for rights holders enforcing in Africa.
Metaverse trade marks: classifying virtual goods and NFTs for EU and LatAm
Virtual goods and NFTs go in Class 9, described precisely. The Nice 13-2026 terms, EUIPO practice and how to plan metaverse trade mark filings across the…
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.
Entering Latin America and Africa: first-to-file traps to avoid
Why distributors end up owning European brands in Latin America and Africa, the remedies in the Andean Community, Brazil and Mexico, and a five-step prevention plan.
The Ⓓ symbol: how to mark products protected by a registered EU design
Holders of registered EU designs can mark products with Ⓓ. When the symbol may be used, how to apply it to products and packaging, and how…
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.
