Category Archives: International Law

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 the transitional measures for the introduction of the Unitary patents will start on January … Continue reading →

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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) withdrew from the European Union (EU) on January 31, 2020 and is now in a transition period, wherein registered EU trademarks (EUTMs) and registered EU designs (RCDs) remain in force in the UK. However, the transition … 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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Andorra: New Patent Law and Possible Validation Agreement With EPO

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Dr. Dirk Franke

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

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Dr. Dirk Franke

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

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Dr. Dirk Franke

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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Filing a Trademark Application in Canada: Characteristics of the Canadian Trademark Law

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Dr. Dirk Franke

The registration process of a trademark in Canada is in some ways extraodinary when compared to the registration practices in other countries. The most important characteristics of the Canadian trademark registration process are summarized below. 1. No Madrid Protocol Canada … Continue reading →

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Greece: Implications of the Capital Controls and the Referendum for the Proprietors of IP Rights in Greece

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Dr. Dirk Franke

On 28 June, the Greek Government imposed capital controls in the latest development in the country’s financial crisis. The capital controls will considerably restrict the flow of capital within the Greek banking sector and will be maintained at least until July … Continue reading →

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The Struggles of Roma in Kosovo

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Dr. Bernd Franke

In December 2014, local residents of Llaushë/Lauša village, in the city of Skenderaj in northern Kosovo, approached the Department of Forensic Medicine and reported a possible mass grave in the village cemetery. Four bodies had been buried there in the … Continue reading →

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Rubik’s Cube Confirmed as a 3D Trademark in Europe

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Dr. Dirk Franke

Invented in the 1970s, the Rubik’s Cube fascinates people around the globe and is one of the world’s best-selling toys. While many fans found the magic cube a hard nut to crack, a German toy manufacturer has challenged the registered … Continue reading →

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