Author Archives: Dr. Dirk Franke

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Posted on December 26, 2024 by Dr. Dirk Franke

We wish all our readers a joyful holiday season and a healthy, successful year ahead in 2025. Photo: © Jason Mrachina, [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

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

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Dr. Dirk Franke

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

Posted on June 4, 2023 by Dr. Dirk Franke

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

Posted on January 11, 2023 by Dr. Dirk Franke

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

Posted on May 26, 2022 by Dr. Dirk Franke

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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GPTO: Increase of Official Fees on May 1, 2022 and July 1, 2022

Posted on April 2, 2022 by Dr. Dirk Franke

The German Patent and Trademark Office (GPTO) will increase on May 1, 2022 and July 1, 2022, respectively, the annuity fees for patents and supplementary protection certificates (SPCs). Annuity fees can be paid one year in advance at the GPTO. … Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2022 by Dr. Dirk Franke

We wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2022! Foto: © Pedro, [CC BY 2.0]

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Dr. Dirk Franke

We wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2021! Foto: © Heather Cowper, [CC BY 2.0]

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BREXIT: Implications for EU Trademarks and EU Designs

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Dr. Dirk Franke

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

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Dr. Dirk Franke

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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