World Trademark Review Yearbook

Artificial intelligence has revolutionized brand creation, enabling businesses to generate names, logos, and slogans within minutes. However, speed and convenience don't guarantee legal protection, raising critical questions about trademark ownership, registration eligibility, and the protection of AI-generated brands in an era where technology outpaces traditional intellectual property frameworks.

For many businesses, the trade mark is one of the assets customers encounter most often. They may never know the company’s corporate structure or who owns its premises, but they will recognise its name, logo or product branding.

Did you know Cyprus lets you pay an effective tax rate of just 3% on qualifying intellectual property income? Kyriakos Tramountanellis FCA explains how the Cyprus IP Box regime works: 80% of qualifying profits from patents and copyrighted software are deducted, so you are taxed on only 20% — one of the most competitive, fully OECD-compliant IP regimes in Europe. If you develop software, own patents, or earn royalty income, this could transform your tax position.

As the technology sector continues to evolve, intellectual property (IP) sits at the core of value creation for software developers, tech companies and innovation-driven businesses. Whether in the form of proprietary software, algorithms, platforms or other digital assets, IP often represents the most significant and scalable component of a business.

Michael Kyprianou Law Firm shares insights from their Intellectual Property Department on nine critical considerations for creating, protecting, and growing a brand. From selecting distinctive trademarks and conducting availability searches to securing digital assets and planning international protection, this guidance helps business owners avoid common trademark pitfalls in today's competitive digital marketplace.

Securing a European Patent from the EPO is just the first step—validation in Cyprus is essential to ensure full legal protection. Learn about the critical three-month deadline, required documentation, and renewal procedures ...

In today’s knowledge-based economy, confidential business information represents one of the most valuable assets of any enterprise. Recognizing the importance of protecting such information, the Cypriot legislator enacted the Protection of Undisclosed Know-How and Business Information (Trade Secrets) from Unlawful Acquisition, Use and Disclosure Law of 2020 (Law 164(I)/2020), which transposed Directive (EU) 2016/943 into domestic law (the “Law”).

A strong brand is one of the greatest assets a business can build. Yet many Cyprus companies overlook trademarks, treating the registration of their brand name or logo, as a bureaucratic formality rather than a strategic decision. This can lead to lost market share, investor hesitation, and costly disputes.

When business owners and brand experts brainstorm for a name or sign for a new product or service, their instinct is often to be as clear as possible.

Cyprus has established itself as one of the most attractive jurisdictions in Europe for technology companies, startups, and entrepreneurs developing intellectual property such as software platforms...

Law 5303/2026 fundamentally reforms Greek inheritance law, introducing modern provisions for forced heirship, inheritance agreements, and estate planning. How will these changes affect property owners, families with complex structures, and cross-border succession arrangements?

Artificial intelligence has revolutionized brand creation, enabling businesses to generate names, logos, and slogans within minutes. However, speed and convenience don't guarantee legal protection, raising critical questions about trademark ownership, registration eligibility, and the protection of AI-generated brands in an era where technology outpaces traditional intellectual property frameworks.

The Council of Ministers has issued Orders introducing significant changes to the VAT treatment of immovable property, with effect from 1 September 2026. The amendments to the Fifth and Eighth Schedules of the VAT Law will change the way the VAT treatment of buildings is determined and introduce corresponding changes to the rules concerning the reduced VAT rate applicable to certain renovation and repair works.

Without legal structure, ownership is conditional, control is temporary, and transfer is uncertain. This article examines why wealth accumulation alone is meaningless without proper legal architecture, exploring how estate planning, cross-border structuring, and jurisdictional frameworks determine whether assets remain protected and transferable across generations.

As part of its ongoing digital transformation, the Republic of Cyprus has introduced a new electronic service for the renewal of residence permits for third-country nationals. The new platform, launched on 6 July 2026, aims to simplify the renewal process, reduce administrative burdens, and provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience for applicants and their representatives.

The European Court recently dismissed a challenge to an EU sanctions designation, providing crucial clarification on how far the Council's power extends when targeting individuals who facilitate sanctions circumvention. The case centered on a fraudulent scheme to sell frozen shares through a subsidiary structure, raising fundamental questions about jurisdiction and the definition of circumvention. This judgment establishes important precedent for understanding what activities fall within the EU's sanctions

The European Union has adopted its 21st package of restrictive measures against Russia, representing the most comprehensive expansion of sanctions in four years with 218 new designations spanning banks, crypto platforms, military suppliers, and shadow fleet operators.

In our days the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed many professional services and replaced several job roles, without leaving the legal sector unaffected.

On 23rd June 2026, the Deputy Ministry of Shipping (SDM) issued Circular No. 17/2026, introducing a revised regulatory framework governing the use of Electronic Log Books (e-Log Books) on board Cyprus-flagged vessels...

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled on the scope of EU sanctions prohibiting the broadcasting of content from listed Russian media outlets, addressing whether the term 'operator' extends beyond commercial entities to include donation-funded platforms and individuals. The judgment clarifies critical questions about personal liability under Regulation 833/2014 and the relevance of broadcast duration in determining compliance obligations.