The air is buzzing with innovation and legal drama. For a
start, the European Patent Office's latest report shows a
record-breaking number of patent filings, highlighting Europe's
push toward sustainable tech. Meanwhile, Lidl and Tesco have ended
a trademark tussle and over in France, Google has been slapped with
a €250 million fine for not playing fair with copyrighted
content.
A hive of patenting activity
It has been over nine months since the Unitary Patent launched
on June 1, 2023. Though it may yet be too early to decide whether
the single grant for 17 European Union member states has delivered
on its promise of a more streamlined filing and litigation system,
initial figures are encouraging. The latest Patent Index from the European Patent Office
(EPO) paints a picture of a continent bustling with IP activity and
ripe with prospects.
