PatentsEurope
Recent regulatory measures impose broad prohibitions on the sale, licensing, and transfer of IP rights linked to Russia, with new contractual obligations for EU persons effective…
The EU and UK have enacted extensive sanctions against Russia and Belarus that significantly affect intellectual property (IP) rights holders and traders. Key provisions prohibit the sale, licensing, or transfer of IP rights and trade secrets related to restricted goods destined for Russia. From December 26, 2024, EU…
PatentsAfrica
Kigali hosts the 5th Annual Africa IP Summit, uniting stakeholders to advance IP frameworks aligned with Africa’s economic transformation and SDGs
The 5th Annual Africa Intellectual Property Rights Summit convened in Kigali from November 28-30, 2024, focusing on leveraging intellectual property rights (IPRs) to accelerate sustainable development across Africa. Policymakers, industry leaders, and experts discussed integrating IP with trade and innovation under Af…
PatentsAfrica
Calls intensify for harmonized, accessible IP frameworks as Africa’s innovation economy expands
African intellectual property (IP) systems face persistent challenges including weak enforcement, limited resources, and low patent filings, experts say. With knowledge and technology driving economic growth, industry leaders advocate for continent-wide reforms to make IP protection more inclusive, affordable, and eff…
PatentsSoutheast Asia
Singapore’s leading IP firm recognized for excellence in patent contentious work at the 15th Asia IP Awards
Allen & Gledhill’s Intellectual Property Practice has been named Singapore Patent Contentious Firm of the Year at the Asia IP Awards 2024. The accolade was presented during the awards ceremony held on 17 November 2024 in Manila, which celebrates outstanding IP practices across Asia, Europe, and the Americas as voted b…
PatentsMiddle East
Lockton strengthens its Intangible Asset and Contingent Liability practice by adding seasoned intellectual property insurance experts to support innovative IP risk solutions
Lockton, the world’s largest independent insurance broker, has bolstered its Transaction Liability practice by hiring Jason Sandler and Craig Taylor. Both bring deep expertise in intellectual property insurance and collateral protection strategies, enhancing Lockton’s ability to advise clients on IP asset valuation an…
PatentsSoutheast Asia
Senate President Escudero Calls for National Innovation Reforms at Major Asian Patent Attorneys Conference
The Philippines, ranking fourth in ASEAN for new intellectual property filings, hosted the 76th Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) Council Meeting in Manila. Senate President Francis Escudero emphasized the need for reforms in the national innovation system to support local IP development. The conference gather…
PatentsAfrica
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation convened its key annual meeting in Maseru, advancing discussions on protocol enforcement, member engagement, and system enh…
From October 28 to November 1, 2024, the 48th Session of ARIPO's Administrative Council took place in Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho. The meeting gathered representatives from 21 member states and observers, focusing on protocol ratifications, trademark filing trends, and upcoming regulatory reviews. Key developments incl…
PatentsSoutheast Asia
Diverse legal frameworks and enforcement practices shape anti-piracy efforts across key South East Asian markets
South East Asian countries employ varied legal and administrative approaches to content and site blocking as part of their anti-piracy strategies. While some jurisdictions rely on court orders, others utilize administrative procedures to remove infringing content. Despite challenges such as mirror sites and enforcemen…
PatentsGlobal
Data from WIPO reveals China accounted for over half of worldwide patent applications in 2021, highlighting its dominant role in global innovation trends.
China’s rapid growth in patent applications has positioned it as the largest contributor to global filings, overtaking the United States in 2010 and reaching more than 1.4 million applications in 2021. Meanwhile, the US has experienced stagnant patent growth and Japan has seen a steady decline since 2000. These figure…
PatentsLatin America
Community events include Alma y Corazon Tejano Ballet Folklorico performance, 'Encanto' themed crafts, and an intellectual property seminar
The Richardson Public Library is offering a series of free events in November, featuring cultural performances, family-friendly activities, and an educational lecture on intellectual property rights. Highlights include a Latin American folk dance performance by Alma y Corazon Tejano Ballet Folklorico, 'Encanto' inspir…
PatentsChina
From the nation’s first patent application to global leadership in patent filings, China’s evolving IP framework underscores its commitment to fostering innovation and economic gr…
Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, intellectual property (IP) protection has played a pivotal role in advancing scientific progress and enterprise competitiveness. Marked by landmark events such as the enactment of China’s Patent Law in 1985 and the rise of global patent filings, China’s IP…
PatentsMiddle East
GII 2024 Highlights Switzerland’s 14th Consecutive Lead and Rising Innovation Performance of China, India, Indonesia, and Türkiye
The Global Innovation Index 2024 ranks 133 economies on innovation performance, with Switzerland maintaining its top position for the 14th year. Asian middle-income countries, including China, India, Indonesia, and Türkiye, show significant advancement. Singapore leads in the number of top global innovation indicators…
PatentsUSA
Recent ruling underscores judicial willingness to award increased damages in intellectual property enforcement cases before the International Trade Commission.
A U.S. District Court has awarded enhanced damages to the prevailing party in a patent infringement dispute initially addressed at the International Trade Commission (ITC). This decision highlights evolving judicial approaches to remedying IP violations and signals a robust enforcement environment for patent holders.…
PatentsLatin America
IFPI-led Operation 404 intensifies efforts to dismantle illegal music streaming and download services across Latin America, targeting key infringing platforms in Brazil and Paragu…
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) continues its Operation 404 initiative, focusing on combating unauthorized music services in Brazil and Paraguay. This ongoing enforcement campaign aims to protect the rights of recording artists and the music industry by identifying and shutting down pl…
PatentsChina
Exploring the multifaceted intellectual property strategies employed in the development and launch of Black Myth: Wukong, highlighting copyright, trademark, and patent considerati…
Black Myth: Wukong, released on 20 August 2024, exemplifies the critical role of intellectual property rights in the online gaming industry. This case study details how copyright registrations, trademark filings, and patent applications contribute to safeguarding the game’s software, audiovisual content, branding, and…
PatentsIndia
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 introduces significant decriminalisation measures in Indian IP law to foster business ease and reduce judicial burden
The Indian government has enacted the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, which decriminalises several offences under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, and the Patents Act, 1970. The reforms remove imprisonment provisions for false trademark and patent claims, introduce monetary penalties linked to turnover, and…
PatentsGlobal
New international treaty mandates patent applicants to disclose origins of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, aiming to prevent erroneous patent grants and enhance trans…
After nearly 25 years of negotiations, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has adopted a pioneering treaty that links intellectual property rights with Indigenous Peoples’ genetic resources and traditional knowledge. The treaty imposes new disclosure obligations on international patent applicants, requ…
PatentsLatin America
WIPO and Brazil’s INPI convene Latin American and Caribbean IP authorities to advance gender-inclusive policies and data-driven initiatives
The World Intellectual Property Organization’s Division for Latin American Countries and the Caribbean (DLAC), together with the WIPO Brazil Office and Brazil’s National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), hosted the VI Regional Meeting on Industrial Property and Gender Equality on August 8-9, 2024. Representativ…