201801.16
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Brexit preparedness notice

NOTICE TO HOLDERS OF AND APPLICANTS FOR EUROPEAN UNION TRADE MARKS PURSUANT TO REGULATION (EU) 2017/1001 ON THE EUROPEAN UNION TRADE MARK AND TO HOLDERS OF AND APPLICANTS FOR COMMUNITY DESIGNS PURSUANT TO REGULATION (EC) NO 6/2002 ON COMMUNITY DESIGNS The United Kingdom submitted on 29 March 2017 the notification of its intention to withdraw…

201709.20
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Graphical representation – types of mark, changes in EUTM Law since 01.10.2017

The graphical representation requirement no longer applies when submitting a trade mark application as and from 1 October 2017. This means that, from that date, signs can be represented in any appropriate form using generally available technology, as long as the representation is clear, precise, self-contained, easily accessible, intelligible, durable and objective. The result is a ‘what you see is…

201709.18
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Changes in EU legislation regarding Community trade marks

On 23 March 2016, Regulation (EU) 2015/2424 of the European Parliament and the Council amending the Community trade mark regulation (the Amending Regulation) entered into force. Among other things, the Amending Regulation changed: the name of the Office to the European Union Intellectual Property Office; the name of the trade mark administered by the Office to…

201708.10
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Protecting Innovation through Trade Secrets and Patents: Determinants for European Union Firms

The EUIPO through the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights has launched a report on Protecting Innovation through Trade Secrets and Patents: Determinants for European Union Firms. The report uses data from the Community Innovation Survey for 24 EU Member States to examine the economic importance of trade secrets and their relation with…

201708.08
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EPO clarifies practice in the area of plant and animal patents

From 1 July 2017, the EPO will no longer grant patents for plants and animals exclusively obtained by means of an “essentially biological process”. The press release of the EPO from 29.06.2017 states the following: On a proposal of the European Patent Office its Administrative Council took a decision to amend the relevant Regulations in order…

201705.16
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New Classification Guidelines published by WIPO

The Nice Classification (NCL), established by the Nice Agreement (1957), is an international classification of goods and services applied for the registration of marks.  The eleventh edition of the NCL came into force on January 1, 2017. The authentic texts of the Nice Classification (in English and in French) are published online by WIPO. By decision…

201703.29
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EUIPO announced that it is preparing for the Second phase of legislative changes which will start as of 1 October 2017

According to the announcement of the office: “On 23 March 2016, the first wave of changes brought about by the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2015/2424 (the Amending Regulation) came into force. However, some parts of the Amending Regulation will only apply from 1 October 2017. Additionally, the Amending Regulation also provides that the…