Category Archives: European Law

EPO: Abolishment of the 10-Day Rule for Document Delivery

From November 1, 2023, the European Patent Office (EPO) will be abolishing the 10-day rule for document delivery. Under the current rule, EPO notifications are considered delivered ten days after the date indicated on the document. Consequently, deadlines set from … Continue reading

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Unified Patent Court (UPC): Opt-Out Strategy for Granted European Patents and European Patent Applications

The Unified Patent Court (UPC) is a central European court, which has become competent for granted European patents and European patent applications. For a transitional period of 7 to 14 years, the granted European patents will remain within the jurisdiction … Continue reading

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Unitary Patent System: Start of the Transitional Measures on January 1, 2023

The President of the Court of Appeal of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and the Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the UPC recently announced that transitional measures for the introduction of Unitary patents will begin on January 1, 2023. … Continue reading

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EUIPO: Discrimination of Applicants and Proprietors Based on Their Place of Business or Nationality

We have recently encountered a concerning situation with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) regarding the transfer of ownership of a registered EU trademark. It appears that the EUIPO is discriminating against customers based on their place of business, … Continue reading

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BREXIT: Implications for EU Trademarks and EU Designs

The United Kingdom (UK) officially withdrew from the European Union (EU) on January 31, 2020, and is currently in a transition period that will end on December 31, 2020. During this transition period, registered EU trademarks (EUTMs) and registered EU … Continue reading

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Corona: Closures and Extensions of Time Limits at Patent and Trademark Offices

In the following table, closures and extensions of time limits at the most important patent and trademark offices are summarized (as of April 21, 2020): Country Two letter code Status Notification Canada CA Extension of time limits until May 1, … Continue reading

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Cambodia: Validation Agreement Enters into Force

The European Patent Office (EPO) announced in a recent press release that the agreement between the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia (KH) and the EPO on the validation of European patents was signed on January 23, 2017. With … Continue reading

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Andorra: New Patent Law and Possible Validation Agreement With EPO

Andorra is currently negotiating an agreement with the European Patent Office (EPO) for the validation of European patents in this country, as well as to become a member state of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Both agreements may enter into … Continue reading

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Brexit: Impact on European Patents, Trademarks and Designs

On June 23, 2016, a referendum will be held in Britain to decide whether or not Britain should leave or remain in the European Union (EU). In the event of a majority voting for a “leave” (“Brexit“, a portmanteau combining … Continue reading

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OHIM: New Office Name and EU Trade Mark Regulation

The Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Marke (OHIM) announced in a recent press release that the Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2424 of the European Parliament and the Council (EU trade mark regulation) dated December 16, 2015 will enter into force … Continue reading

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