Monthly Archives: June 2026

Moldova Joins the EPC

On June 1, 2026, the Republic of Moldova acceded to the European Patent Convention (EPC) as its 40th contracting state. A single European patent application can now reach 40 states. What changes for applicants For European patent applications with a … Continue reading

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The apud Model of Qualitative Patent Valuation – and How to Use Its Factors to Increase the Value of Your Patent Portfolio

Patents often make up a substantial part of a company’s intangible value – yet that value cannot be captured in a single figure. The apud model is a qualitative valuation approach that systematically captures the characteristics that determine a patent’s … Continue reading

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Abstract (Single-Colour) Trademarks and Their Case Law in Germany

A single colour can be a trademark – Telekom’s magenta, Langenscheidt’s yellow and the Sparkassen red are well-known examples. At the same time, the abstract, contourless colour mark is one of the hardest marks to obtain and to enforce. This … Continue reading

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Failed Trials, Strong Patents: The Federal Court of Justice on Fampridine-SR (BGH X ZR 165/23)

German Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof), judgment of 17 March 2026 – X ZR 165/23 – on appeal from the Federal Patent Court In a decision that commentators are already calling a milestone for pharmaceutical patents, the X. Civil Senate … Continue reading

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When “Suitability” Isn’t Enough: The Federal Court of Justice on Purpose-Bound Substance Protection (BGH X ZB 3/25)

German Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof), order of 25 February 2026 – X ZB 3/25 – Fructose Intolerance Agent · ECLI:DE:BGH:2026:250226BXZB3.25.0 In a decision handed down on February 25, 2026, the X. Civil Senate (Patent Senate) of Germany’s Federal Court … Continue reading

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