Europe

Patents

UPC roundup: EPO decision reshapes vaccine fight | US firms bolster teams

As UPC activity continues to drive strategic hiring and expansion, recent rulings have delivered a notable win for Samsung, and further uncertainty in the long-running GSK-Pfizer vaccine battle

August 13 2026

Patents

‘Shaping future direction’: ex-AWA leader joins Patrade in strategic growth drive

Patrade has turned to experienced IP practitioner and business development leader Anders Isaksson to strengthen its commercial strategy and expand its reach to clients across Scandinavia

Sukanya Sarkar, August 11 2026

Patents

Close-up of the Bull statue on with the American flag in the background. Iconic symbol of financial strength and optimism in a bustling city environment.

Beyond the headlines: Is the US UPC charge finally arriving?

A handful of US firms have quietly invested in European patent talent. Recent moves by Baker Botts and K&L Gates suggest that trend may be accelerating

Max Walters, August 10 2026

Patents

Businessman choosing best candidate from wooden blocks with glowing checkmark recruitment concept digital selection HR management hiring process professional decision making

US firms buy into UPC opportunity with Germany and UK hires

K&L Gates and Baker Botts have recruited leading patent practitioners from Wende IP and EIP, respectively, as they seek to strengthen European patent litigation capabilities

Max Walters, August 03 2026

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Sponsored by Cabinet Beau de Loménie

France: Is Neuschwanstein an IGO?

The name of the castle of Ludwig II of Bavaria, Neuschwanstein, was filed as a European trade mark by the Free State of Bavaria in many classes of goods and services (3, 8, 14-16, 18, 21, 25, 28, 30, 32-6, 38 and 44). As its validity was contested, the question arose as to whether such a name was descriptive of the geographical origin of the goods and services claimed in the application.

Aurélia Marie, November 23 2018
Sponsored by Cabinet Beau de Loménie

France: CJEU issues decision on reconditioning by parallel importers

Jurisprudence has had fixed rules for a long time on the reconditioning of pharmaceutical products by parallel importers, without the consent of the trade mark owner.

Aurélia Marie, October 19 2018
Sponsored by Sonn & Partner

Austria: When is joint use of trade marks allowed?

Ten years ago the Austrian Supreme Court decided a case concerning Mazda and a tuning company. The tuning company had offered its chip tuning parts for a range of cars. It also named on its website the car types for which it offered these chips. For that it used the cars' word marks and the figurative marks (logos).

Helmut Sonn, August 29 2018