IP Strategy

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

Supported by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the European Commission, the creation of a European fund for European SMEs has been announced. With a global value of 20 million euros, this SME fund, inserted in the framework of the EUIPO “Ideas Powered for Business” initiatives, is designed to help small and medium-sized companies in developing their IP strategies and protection of their rights at national, regional or EU level. Applications open on 11 January 2021.

Despite the United Republic of Tanzania – which comprises Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar – frequently stating that innovation is a key driver of economic development and exceeding expectations for its innovation development this year, trademark owners have expressed uncertainty as to the future of IP protection in the light of the presidential elections that took place on 28 October 2020.

The city of Shenzhen, in Guangdong province, once again hosted the China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF), one of the largest technology fair in China. 

The African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) handles trademark registrations for the following – mainly francophone – member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Comoro Islands, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Every financial year, applicants settle a budget for their trademark portfolio, which involves examining expenses for new applications and maintaining existing rights, prosecution, litigation, and disbursements, among other things. With the covid-19 pandemic, many rights holders are facing unprecedented financial difficulties, which makes them more conscious of costs. This in turn is leading to a more considered analysis of assets that are deemed to be crucial and worth keeping.

Below are some tips to minimise trademark portfolio costs in Sao Tome and Príncipe.

The Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances is a multilateral treaty which regulates copyright related rights for audiovisual performances and expands the performers' rights. It was adopted on 26 June 2012 by the Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of Audiovisual Performances of the World Intellectual Property Organization, in which 156 WIPO member states, six intergovernmental, and six non-governmental organizations participated. Forty-eight countries signed the treaty on 26 June, followed by 19 other countries in 2012 and 2013.

It is manifest the growing interest of mankind in disruptive themes as Artificial Intelligence (AI). As we have been analyzing, this theme has increased its significance as the inventions reach new and inspiring outcomes. This article intends to analyze if there have been a growing tendency on patent applications related to AI in the European Patents Office or if, besides all the euphoria, we are still far away from a technological boom particulary inventive.

HangZhou received the 10th Edition of CIPAC - China Intellectual Property Conference. This major event brings together a wide number of Intellectual Property (IP) professionals, from all industries.

Inventa International participated on the 33rd Edition of FILDA - Luanda International Trade Fair, the most participated business event in Angola.

From 9 to 13 July, our local team was available, with a booth, to receive the business owners and other visitants, explaining how to protect Intellectual Property assets in Angola.