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Patents
Lawyers at Simmons & Simmons look ahead to a UK Supreme Court hearing in which the court will consider whether English courts can determine FRAND terms when the licence is offered by an intermediary rather than an SEP owner
February 16, 2026
Features list
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Licensing can generate millions of dollars for technology companies, but many executives still do not take full advantage of the opportunities available. Dan McCurdy and Marshall Phelps explode the myths that prevent companies from developing successful licensing programmes -
A legal defeat for Sony in Austria may spell the end for the Walkman trade mark in Europe. The case reveals how important it is for brand owners to act to stop their trade marks becoming generic words. James Nurton reports
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The Napster battle revealed how vulnerable the music industry is to digital piracy, and the movie and TV industries could be next. Mark F Radcliffe and Jill Sazama examine the lessons learned from Napster and assess potential responses
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The IP Strategic Outline sets an ambitious programme for transforming the practice of intellectual property in Japan. The success of the plan depends on cooperation at a national and international level, explain Douglas Clark, Lloyd Parker and Takamasa Makita
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Courts in the UK have challenged their reputation for being anti-patentee in the past year, and attracted attention across the continent. Ingrid Hering examines the latest developments in Europe’s courts and patent offices
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In a follow-up to July’s article explaining the new European Community Design, Martin Schlötelburg and Clemens Rübel examine the advantages of applying for a design right alongside a trade mark
Local Insights
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Bird & Bird
Fame means not all literary figure marks are created equal, says Charlotte Colthurst of Bird & Bird in examining an EUIPO Grand Board of Appeal ruling
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Becerril, Coca & Becerril
Stephania Cardiel of Becerril, Coca & Becerril examines how recent reforms signal a regional move towards faster, more internationally aligned innovation systems
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Inlex
Pravir Palayathan of Inlex explains Mauritius’ customs-led system for protecting trademarks, regulating authorised importers and exporters, and swiftly seizing counterfeit goods
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That.Legal
Gillian Tan of That.Legal explains how accidental font licensing gaps arise in practice, and how Singapore’s compensatory copyright framework affects enforcement outcomes
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Inlex
Igor Charles of Inlex explains how the EUIPO Board of Appeal recognised the Givenchy 4G logo’s reputation in France, linking luxury goods to financial services under Article 8(5) of the EU Trademark Regulation
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Wanhuida Intellectual Property
Yue Guan of Wanhuida Intellectual Property explains how the CNIPA’s rulings on mirogabalin besylate tablets highlight the importance of formulation patent drafting and claim amendments in China’s drug patent landscape
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Tilleke & Gibbins
Thanh Phuong Vu of Tilleke & Gibbins explains how Vietnam’s 2025 Intellectual Property Law amendment introduces protection for partial and intangible designs under Locarno Class 32
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Gün and Partners
A reversal decision by the Turkish Court of Cassation clarifies when patent enforcement may trigger unfair competition liability, report Aysel Korkmaz Yatkın, Selin Sinem Erciyas, and Beste Turan Kurtoğlu of Gün and Partners
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Hanol IP & Law
Min Son of Hanol IP & Law explains how the decision clarifies that multiple-word trademarks can infringe if an element serves as an essential distinctive part
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Saint Island International Patent & Law Offices
Taiwan has stepped up trade secret enforcement through legislative reform and court practice, says Tony Tung-Yang Chang of Saint Island International Patent & Law Offices