Brexit: What happens with your IP assets in 2021?

With the end of the transition period, on December 31, 2020, it is important to review the actual changes concerning Industrial Property assets filed in the European Union.

We have elaborated briefly some relevant points:
 

Registrations granted until 31.12.2020

Angola – Key facts on the maintenance of IP assets

Ended the initial phase of the registration process of the industrial property assets, that is to say, the filing of the applications in I.A.P.I. (Angolan Institute of Industrial Property) and subsequent phases (bulletin publication, opposition period, formal and substantial examination, granting fees payment and granting of the rights), holders shall be aware of the necessity to proceed with the payment of the maintenance fees of their rights.

WIPO: Who filed the most IP rights applications in 2016?

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently shared statistical data in regards to the companies that invested more in the protection of IP assets, during 2016, namely trademarks, PCTs, designs and domain name disputes. IP assets filing services experienced increases in the number of applications.

South Africa liberalizes transaction of IP assets

The South African National Treasury announced, on 22 February 2017, the intention to eliminate the current regimen’s restriction to the Intellectual Property assets’ transaction, by liberalizing the transactions in this area. These are good news for entrepreneurs and investors.

EU: Amendments to European Union Trademark Regulation entering into force on March 23

Changes to European Union’s trademark system set forth by Regulation no. 2015/2424 of the European Parliament and the Council are entering into force on March 23, 2016.

Modifications include new names for Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM), from now on the “European Union Intellectual Property Office” (EUIPO), and for the “Community Trademark” (CTM), henceforward the “European Union Trademark” (EUTM).

Besides these new names, other changes include, among others: