Copyright and Related Rights

Today we launch Inventa IP Review, an annual compilation with the main Intellectual Property (IP) topics of the previous year, through opinion articles and relevant announcements.

A year has passed since the COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented disruption in global development. But in some way, it also allowed us to be more resilient and find new routes of communicating.

The path of Intellectual Property was no different.

In an era where millions of content creators are uploading their works online, copyright infringement has become very easy, being as simple as uploading a TikTok video or making an Instagram Story.

On 30 July 2019, the Mauritius Parliament approved and passed the Industrial Property Bill 2019, it was then published in the Government Gazette on 10 August 2019. The bill aims to update and strengthen protection for IP rights, as well as to harmonize the current legislation in order to meet the challenges of the globalized industry.

Inventa International attended the "Innovation & IP Forum and Awards", last January 28, in Paris. The event is dedicated to international challenges in matters related to intellectual property, involving patents, trademarks, IP litigation and other related rights, organized annually by the Leaders League.

Diogo Antunes represented Inventa International where we were awarded with the Silver Award in the category of Best IP Advisory in Portugal.

The real impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the various fields of Law is still largely unknown. However, as stated in the European Parliament resolution of 16 February 2017 with recommendations to the Commission on Civil Law Rules on Robotics (2015/2103(INL))  (v. 015/2103(INL)), no one doubts that this industrial revolution “is likely to leave no stratum of society untouched”, which is why is “vitally important for the legislature to consider its legal and ethical implications and effects, without stifling innovation” (vid. p. 3, B).

The electropop song “Toy” that won last year’s Eurovision as the Israeli submission was embroiled in a copyright dispute with Universal Music Group because of rhythmic similarities with “Seven Nations Army” performed by the White Stripes and composed by Jack White.

Marques Annual Conference took place in September and Inventa International couldn’t miss this event, that gathers experts to debate the latest issues concerning Intellectual Property.

This year the event was held in Paris, which provided the perfect scenario to address a wide range of branding related topics such as branding, design and luxury goods.

EU Copyright Reform, Trade Secrets Directive, UDRP Reform and Brexit were also on the agenda. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already opened the door to our reality and we have not even realized it. Think again who believes that a world endowed with technological autonomy without constant human aid is a utopia or a subject of bygone centuries. Far from it; we face and live in a century where the great questions of our society need further guidance.

The Portuguese State was acquitted by the Intellectual Property Court regarding the court case where the inventor Manuel Londreira claimmed plagiarism of the Fiscal Equity program with the creation of the “e-fatura” system.

In 2011, Manuel Londreira presented the Fiscal Equity program to the then prime minister, José Sócrates. In 2015, he formally accused the State of plagiarism of his program by creating the “e-fatura” system.