Expert Analysis

Lucia Vittorangeli of Bugnion looks at the introduction of real patent examinations at the Italian Patent and Trademark Office and the knock-on effects on divisional applications, searches and utility models

David Schwartz and Jeffrey Coles of Smart & Biggar look at the evolving patent landscape in Canada and offer an overview of the most significant legislative changes of the last few years

Recently introduced business courts in Italy will aid enforcement, of patents in particular, as will the new trade mark opposition system. Diego Pallini and Federico Zanardi Landi of Notarbartolo & Gervasi and N&G Legal explain the best way to make use of them

One year after the introduction of trade mark opposition proceedings in Italy, Andrea Klein and Edith Van den Eede of SIB Società Italiana Brevetti say it has proved popular with foreign brand owners, and increased everyone's involvement with the system

To fight counterfeit goods in Italy, brand owners must engage with Customs, in particular using the preventive intervention system. Micaela Modiano of Modiano & Partners explains how it works and the Customs database, Falstaff

It is rare for a developed country to experience as many IP changes as Italy has in the past year. Full examination of patents for the first time, a new trade mark opposition system and new IP courts have fundamentally altered law and practice. The Italy IP Focus this year explains the impact of all of them for IP owners.