Region-focused IP developments curated by the IIPLA newsroom, including policy shifts, litigation, brand disputes, patent activity, and enforcement updates.
Kenya is progressing toward adopting a comprehensive National Intellectual Property Policy following broad public participation across 38 counties. The draft policy, developed by multiple government agencies, seeks to unify patents, trademarks, copyrights, plant variety rights, geographical indications, traditional kn…
The Munich Regional Court has ruled that US-based AI music service Suno violated copyright laws by training its AI on songs from GEMA’s repertoire without a license. The decision marks a significant enforcement milestone for creators’ rights in the AI music domain, requiring Suno to pay damages and license fees under…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has appointed a former Greenberg Traurig shareholder as the acting commissioner for patents. This leadership change comes as the agency anticipates the departure of Deputy Director Coke Morgan Stewart. The new acting commissioner will oversee the USPTO’s extensive…
Ethiopia is undertaking significant revisions to its intellectual property legislation to comply with international standards required for World Trade Organization membership. The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority is modernizing laws on trademarks, copyright, and industrial designs, reflecting commitments tied…
Jimothy, a wild raccoon from Seattle who gained viral fame, has inspired trademark filings for merchandise. However, intellectual property attorneys caution that neither his name nor image can be exclusively owned or protected as trademarks due to the nature of viral internet phenomena and trademark law requirements.
Xperix, a digital identity verification firm, is leveraging its subsidiary Intellectual Discovery’s robust patent monetization performance and ongoing consolidation efforts to drive significant growth. With global semiconductor patent disputes escalating, Intellectual Discovery’s expanding licensing and litigation por…
The U.S. economy grew 1.5% in the second quarter of 2024, led by strong personal consumption expenditures and business spending on equipment and intellectual property. However, significant trade deficits and inventory reductions dampened overall growth. Inflation accelerated sharply due to surging energy prices follow…
Circle Internet Group has acquired a substantial blockchain patent portfolio from IBM, including nearly 1,000 issued patents worldwide. This strategic move establishes Circle as the top blockchain patent holder in the U.S. and marks a pivotal shift from open-source stablecoin models toward proprietary, legally fortifi…
Between January 2025 and July 2026, Nanning Customs published detailed penalty decisions exposing the scale and patterns of counterfeit goods moving from China into Vietnam. The data highlights five main land crossings, with Youyi Guan and Aidian in Lang Son province dominating seizures. Footwear, apparel, electronics…
Crowell & Moring has been nationally recognized in Managing Intellectual Property’s 2026 USA IP Stars rankings, with nine attorneys and five practice areas honored. This acknowledgment reflects the firm’s robust intellectual property capabilities across the United States and its global operations. Additionally, the fi…
At the National TVET Innovation Competition closing ceremony, Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim emphasized the critical role of patent registration in protecting intellectual property and enhancing the commercial potential of local innovations. He underscored the growing application of artificial in…
Nikon’s patent lawsuit against Viltrox in China has ended with a ruling that invalidates Nikon’s Z-mount patents. The China National Intellectual Property Administration found that Nikon’s lens mount design does not meet the threshold for patent protection, undermining Nikon’s claims of intellectual property infringem…
Indonesia’s Ministry of Law, through the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI), will abolish the registration fee for songs and musical compositions from August 1, 2026. This policy shift aims to expand the national music database, Pusat Data Lagu dan/atau Musik (PDLM), improving copyright protection and…
IIPLA reviews the trademarks implications of Trademarks, FisherBroyles, Hong Kong, with practical notes for global IP teams monitoring risk, enforcement, licensing, and portfolio strategy.
IIPLA reviews the trademarks implications of Trademarks, Hilco Global Engaged, Stan Lee Holdings, with practical notes for USA IP teams monitoring risk, enforcement, licensing, and portfolio strategy.
IIPLA reviews the trademarks implications of Trademarks, SECUR3D Engages Market One, Media Group, with practical notes for global IP teams monitoring risk, enforcement, licensing, and portfolio strategy.
IIPLA reviews the trademarks implications of Trademarks, Tanzania, Managing IP, with practical notes for Europe IP teams monitoring risk, enforcement, licensing, and portfolio strategy.
Tensions between the US and China have escalated following allegations from the Trump administration that Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI illicitly used Anthropic’s proprietary technology. China has firmly denied these claims, asserting its AI sector’s independent progress and adherence to intellectual property laws. T…
On July 23, 2026, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) convened a meeting for the delivery of a white paper, as reported by AmCham China. This event underscores ongoing efforts to monitor and engage with intellectual property developments in China. While detailed content of the white paper w…
Malaysia has introduced the Creative Economy Data Model (CEDM), a new framework aimed at supporting evidence-based policymaking and development planning within the creative economy. Launched by the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (W…
American Fusion Inc. has filed nineteen additional U.S. patent applications related to its Texatron™ Fusion Engine™, increasing its total filings to 76. The patents cover innovations in reactor design, plasma confinement, and power management as the company prepares for a testing program at Texas Tech University.
The US Treasury and White House officials have accused Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI of illicitly using Anthropic’s proprietary Fable large language model to create its own K3 model. The allegations include unauthorized model distillation and potential violations of export controls involving Nvidia AI chips. China de…
China has rapidly closed the artificial intelligence gap with the United States, moving from years behind to just months away in technological parity. Chinese firms have leveraged open-source AI models to circumvent US export restrictions on advanced chips, enabling widespread deployment across sectors. Moonshot AI’s…
Vietnam has made significant strides in strengthening its intellectual property system, aligning legal frameworks with international standards and accelerating procedural reforms. Officials emphasize the shift from mere IP protection to leveraging intellectual assets for economic value, supported by enhanced enforceme…
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