Our publications
The house mark, a limited reach
The house mark is a concept from the field of marketing that has been appropriated by trademark law. +
New version of EPO guidelines
In April, the European Patent Office (EPO) has published a new version of the Guidelines for Examination, Unitary Patent Guidelines, and PCT-EPO Guidelines. +
UPC: Procedural order on application to intervene
(Rule 313 RoP), UPC_CFI_698/2024 (CD Milan, March 27, 2025) +
Adoption of gender-neutral language in the EPC Implementing Regulations
Notice from the European Patent Office dated 12 February 2025 concerning the adoption of gender-neutral language in the EPC Implementing Regulations. +
BSH v. Electrolux: extended jurisdiction in cross-border patent infringement
BSH v. Electrolux: extended jurisdiction of EU Member State courts in cross-border patent infringement and validity. +
Esport and IP rights: the rules of the game
Esport is defined as “the competitive practice of multiplayer video games, within the framework of online leagues or competitions or physical events, essentially between professional players”. +
Designs: what to expect in 2025?
A rich news year for Designs and Models with the end of 2024 bringing. +
IP5 Statistics Report 2023
Recently, the annual IP5 Statistics Report of the world’s five largest IP offices (IP5) was issued. +
Copaxone – publication of the decision
Following our last IP Alert of 23 January 2025, the decision of the European Commission dated 8 April 2025 (only the English text is authentic) is now available under reference +
Data protection – June-December 2024
This newsletter presents a selection of legal news from June to December 2024 in the field of personal data protection. +
Patent protection for methods for treatment in Europe and the US
For European patents, methods for treatment by surgery or therapy are explicitly excluded from patentability by the legislation (Article 53 EPC), although the case law of the European Patent Office +
Revision of the USPTO patent fee schedule
On November 20, 2024, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced a revised Patent fee schedule that will take effect on January 19, 2025. +
Effective withdrawal of an opt-out when national proceedings are pending
Court of Appeal Decision of the UPC of 11-12 2024 AIM SPORT DEVELOPMENT AG vs SUPPONOR +
New referral to the EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal – G 2/24
The Technical Board of Appeal of the EPO has referred a question to the Enlarged Board of Appeal to further clarify the status of a third party intervening during appeal +
The legal framework for organising e-sport events
The law defines e-sport as “a video game competition [that] pits two or more players or teams of players against each other for a score or victory”[1]. +
Quick recap: European patent practice regarding the patentability of surgical methods
The case law of the European Patent Office (EPO) concerning the patentability of surgical methods has undergone a significant evolution following decision G1/07 of the EPO’s Enlarged Board of Appeal +
New developments regarding CNIPA-EPO Pilot Programme
Starting from December 1, 2024, the search fees for designating the EPO as International Search Authority for applications participating in the CNIPA-EPO Pilot Programme may be paid in Chinese Yuan +
Copaxone: EU Commission fines Teva over misuse of the patent system and disparagement
Copaxone – EU Commission fines Teva €462.6 million over misuse of the patent system and disparagement. +
Russia: new patent legislation
Regulation No. 1278 published on 27 September 2024 makes a number of changes to Russian law. +
Change of practice in access to patent literature documents
Notice from the European Patent Office dated 2 July 2024 concerning a change of practice in access to patent literature documents cited in search and examination proceedings. +
Continuation of examination and opposition proceedings in view of referral G 1/24
Notice from the European Patent Office dated 1 July 2024 concerning the continuation of examination and opposition proceedings in view of referral G 1/24. +
Lavoix: Your trusted partner for litigation before the Unified Patent Court
Since the establishment of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) one year ago, Lavoix, a European group specialized in intellectual property, has asserted itself as a leader in managing patent litigation. +
Milan: the IP place to be!
On June 27, 2024, the Unified Patent Court (UPC) opened a new section of the Central Division in Milan, following the decision of the Administrative Committee of 26 June 2023 +
Romania will accede to the UPC agreement on September 1st 2024
Romania has deposited its instrument of ratification on May 31, 2024 and will accede to the UPC agreement on September 1st, 2024. Thus, starting from that date, the UPC agreement +
Legislative changes in India
On March 15, 2024, the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry published amendments in the Official Gazette, modifying certain patent rules from 2003. +