Europe: Intellectual Property

Subscribe
Intellectual property law and copyright law thought leadership, articles, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore insights covering topics such as licensing and syndication, patent law, trade secrets and trademark law.
Article
Life Sciences Patents Monthly Roundup—September 2026
This September edition examines pivotal developments in life sciences patent law across Europe, with the Unified Patent Court continuing to refine its jurisprudence on added matter, intermediary liability, and procedural standards. National courts in the UK, France, and the Netherlands deliver significant rulings on supplementary protection certificates, pro-drugs, and the boundaries of pharmacy exemptions that will shape patent strategy for pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
European Union IP
AO
A&O Shearman
Article
Political Parody Can Be A ‘due Cause’ Defense Against Trademark Dilution Claims
The Court of Justice of the European Union has issued a landmark ruling on whether political parties can use reputable trademarks for parody or campaigning purposes under EU trademark law. The case examines a Belgian political party's IKEA-themed immigration campaign and establishes new criteria for balancing trademark rights against freedom of expression. National courts must now weigh multiple factors including intent, contribution to public debate, and potential brand damage when assessing such uses.
Belgium IP
WT
Winston Taylor
See more

Related Country Guides

P
Patents
T
Trademarks
PL
Patent Litigation
TD
Trademark Disputes

Highlighted Content

Trade Secrets

Article
When AI Designs The Ingredient: Who Controls The Data, The Model And The Discovery?
As artificial intelligence transforms ingredient discovery across pharmaceuticals, food, and biotechnology, companies face a critical challenge: when multiple organizations contribute data, AI models, and expertise to create new molecules and insights, who controls the resulting intellectual property? The answer requires rethinking traditional IP frameworks to account for datasets, model improvements, and experimental knowledge that may prove more valuable than the initial products themselves.
United Kingdom IP
HL
HGF Ltd
See more

Licensing & Syndication

Article
When AI Designs The Ingredient: Who Controls The Data, The Model And The Discovery?
As artificial intelligence transforms ingredient discovery across pharmaceuticals, food, and biotechnology, companies face a critical challenge: when multiple organizations contribute data, AI models, and expertise to create new molecules and insights, who controls the resulting intellectual property? The answer requires rethinking traditional IP frameworks to account for datasets, model improvements, and experimental knowledge that may prove more valuable than the initial products themselves.
United Kingdom IP
HL
HGF Ltd
Article
Risks For The Licensee In The Event Of The Licensor's Insolvency
When a licensor becomes insolvent, licensees face the risk of losing business-critical IP rights as insolvency administrators can elect to terminate ongoing license agreements. This article examines practical protective measures including sublicenses, escrow arrangements, and security interests that can help safeguard licensee interests, while acknowledging their limitations and the strategic considerations necessary when structuring IP license agreements.
Germany IP
MB
Mayer Brown
See more

Trademark

Article
Political Parody Can Be A ‘due Cause’ Defense Against Trademark Dilution Claims
The Court of Justice of the European Union has issued a landmark ruling on whether political parties can use reputable trademarks for parody or campaigning purposes under EU trademark law. The case examines a Belgian political party's IKEA-themed immigration campaign and establishes new criteria for balancing trademark rights against freedom of expression. National courts must now weigh multiple factors including intent, contribution to public debate, and potential brand damage when assessing such uses.
Belgium IP
WT
Winston Taylor
Article
A Weak Mark, A Strong Case: Practical Lessons For Brand Owners From Flowerbx
The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court has ruled that combining descriptive words like "flower" and "box" does not automatically create a descriptive trade mark, finding FLOWERBX valid and infringed by a competitor's similar branding. The decision demonstrates how strong evidence of brand recognition and actual consumer confusion can be decisive in trade mark enforcement cases, particularly in the context of online retail where visual similarity carries significant weight.
United Kingdom IP
BS
Burges Salmon
See more

Patent

Article
Life Sciences Patents Monthly Roundup—September 2026
This September edition examines pivotal developments in life sciences patent law across Europe, with the Unified Patent Court continuing to refine its jurisprudence on added matter, intermediary liability, and procedural standards. National courts in the UK, France, and the Netherlands deliver significant rulings on supplementary protection certificates, pro-drugs, and the boundaries of pharmacy exemptions that will shape patent strategy for pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
European Union IP
AO
A&O Shearman
See more

Latest Videos

See more