Europe

Vítor Palmela Fidalgo of Inventa examines how Portuguese case law diverges from EU rules on acquired distinctiveness, highlighting the Pão de Rio Maior decision and its implications for trademark interpretation and consumer protection

Edward J Farrington of Inspicos explains how G 2/24 confirms that a third-party intervener does not acquire appellant status once all original appeals are withdrawn

Fabian Kiendl and Christian Schäflein of Maiwald examine how AI engineering can yield patentable inventions and consider the protection of such solutions in automotive technology under the European Patent Convention

Managing IP presents a first-person account of EU trademark appeals at the CJEU’s General Court by Peter Gustav Olson of Zacco, based on his experience in multiple cases

Eleni Lappa of IP Work explains how Japanese companies can protect intellectual property and resolve disputes in Europe, with insights on alternative dispute resolution, patents, trademarks, and the challenges of AI and cross-border regulation

Mutlu Yıldırım Köse and İrem Girenes Yücesoy of Gün and Partners draw on recent cases to explain the court’s approach to short-word trademarks and consider the weight given to dominant elements