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    Faster examination of community trademarks

    Starting 24 November, the European Union trademark authority (OHIM) offers trademark applicants the opportunity to have their applications examined and published faster. The accelerated procedure is called Fast Track and…

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    Spain’s challenge to unitary patent package rejected

    The Advocate General proposes to dismiss Spain’s challenges to the creation of the Unitary Patent package on the grounds that unitary protection is expected to provide a genuine benefit in…

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    Google and LG co-operate on patents

    Google and Korean electronics company LG Electronics have signed a long-term patent cross-licensing agreement covering a broad range of products and technologies. The agreement covers the two companies’ existing patents…

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    Chinese company among world’s 100 most valuable brands

    The Chinese telecommunications company Huawei appears in the brand consultancy Interbrand’s annual Best Global Brands report. It is the first time that a Chinese brand has featured on the list….

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    EU Commission “follows the money” in fight against IPR infringements

    The European Commission recently adopted an action plan to address infringements of intellectual property rights in the EU. The plan sets out a number of actions to focus the EU’s…

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    European trademark protection allowed for Apple store layout

    The European Court of Justice has decided that Apple’s retail store layout can be protected as a trademark in Europe. Apple was granted trademark protection for its store layout –…

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    Monkey selfies: animals cannot own copyright

    One of the most popular news stories this summer was the ape that swiped the camera from a wildlife photographer to take a series of photos of itself – selfies….

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    Apple and Samsung end patent disputes outside of the United States

    Apple and Samsung recently agreed to withdraw all pending patent and registered design disputes between their companies in all countries except the United States. This includes disputes in the United…

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    European patents can be validated in Tunisia

    The European Patent Office (EPO) has signed an agreement with Tunisia under the terms of which the North African country recognises the validity of European patents. The agreement means that…

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    Belgium and Denmark ratifies patent agreement

    The governments of Belgium and Denmark have ratified the agreement on a Unified Patent Court. This means that in total five member states (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France and Sweden) are…