When developing an innovative product or technology, collaborating with external partners is often essential. Research centers, manufacturers, formulators, laboratories, or technical subcontractors can all play a key role in transforming an idea into a market-ready product. However, before sharing your innovation with partners, one critical step should never be overlooked: filing a patent application. Failing to protect your invention beforehand can create serious risks regarding the ownership of intellectual property.   The Risk: Losing Ownership of Your Own Innovation In…

Creating a brand is often seen as a creative process: finding the right name, designing a distinctive logo, and building a strong visual identity. Yet behind this marketing exercise lies an essential legal reality: a brand can only be used and protected if it does not conflict with existing rights. In Europe, where millions of trademarks are already registered, verifying the availability of a name or logo is a crucial step before launching a new brand. This verification process, known…

Great news for EU-based small and medium-sized enterprises: the Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund has reopened several of its voucher schemes following new funding availability. Voucher 1 – IP Scan (IP pre-diagnostic service) and IP Scan Enforcement Voucher 2 – Trade Marks and Designs Voucher 3 – Patents This European Commission initiative, implemented by the EUIPO, helps SMEs protect and manage their intellectual property (IP) more effectively. Applications can be submitted by a business owner, employee, or authorized external…

The meteoric rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly transforming the world of communications. Generating striking visuals in a matter of seconds, writing slogans tailored to different audiences, personalising advertising messages at scale: never before have campaign creators had access to such a range of tools. But behind this revolution lie major challenges, particularly when it comes to intellectual property. Because while AI makes it easier to create, it also makes it harder to protect. Slogans, logos, visuals, jingles: all…

the fifth edition of the SME Fund scheme will cover a range of IP rights, including trade marks, designs, patents, plant varieties, and the IP Scan service. This scheme is subsidizing part of the application fees for your IP rights. The SME Fund scheme aims to: Foster innovation: Help SMEs leverage their intellectual property to boost their growth and drive transformative solutions. Reaching out to more SMEs: Encourage more SMEs to take advantage of the funds and services available. Support…

For trademarks used on sectors where a prior authorization of conducting business is required (pharmaceuticals, tobacco, etc.), the licensee must have obtained a prior approval from the relevant authorities to engage in the respective industry or produce said goods. Trademark licenses should be filed for recordation with the Chinese Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Applications for trademark licensing recordation that comply with relevant regulations will be published by the CNIPA on the trademark gazette. The validity of a trademark licensing contract,…