Ethiopia is now a signatory to the Paris Convention and the Madrid Protocol, with both set to enter into force on August 15, 2025.

Before 2009, all Burundi's trademarks were registered for an indefinite term period. However, following the entry into force of the new IP Law in Burundi, on 28th July 2009, all marks registered before the enactment of the law were set to be renewed by 28th July 2019.

Portuguese courts have increasingly restricted the recognition of acquired distinctiveness for non-distinctive signs, diverging from the EU trademark framework.

The stronger a trademark becomes, the more it risks sliding into generic use. Diogo Antunes examines this paradox at the heart of brand success, analyzing how Spanish and Portuguese courts address the tension between...

The increasing trend of registering digital symbols, such as emojis and hashtags, prompts a critical reassessment of how conventional trademark laws accommodate these modern forms.

After years of anticipation, the Unified Patent Court (UPC) has now had three years to shape the future of European patent litigation. Its early case law reveals a deliberate effort to move beyond national traditions and develop an autonomous approach to patent interpretation.

When does a reputed trade mark benefit from protection beyond likelihood of confusion? Article 8(5) EUTMR grants extended protection, even where the goods or services are dissimilar, provided certain cumulative conditions are met, including the existence of a “link” between the signs.

Product placement in Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry, presents a growing opportunity for brands and filmmakers.

Trademarks in the media industry can be as valuable as the content they represent. This was clearly illustrated in the case of Polígrafo, a Portuguese fact-checking programme, where control over the brand name ultimately determined who could continue using the format.

From March 1st 2025, the amendments to the Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Design will take effect, including their implementing regulations, Forms and Fees.

The Zanzibar Industrial Property Office (ZIPO) has implemented a significant increase in official fees for intellectual property services...

The internet service in Sudan has been totally suspended as of today, June 10, 2019. This interruption is related to the civil disobedience and protests that are taking place all over the country.

When we think of a trademark in our daily lives, we often associate it to a set of conventional marks, for example, letters, numerals, words, symbols, or combinations of one or more of these elements.

2022 is a breakthrough year for Cape Verde's intellectual property system. After nearly 15 years of stagnation in the ratification of IP treaties and updates to IP law...

Obtaining a European patent usually takes 3–5 years, but the European Patent Office offers ways to accelerate the process, such as fast-track programs and special procedures for international applications.

Vítor Palmela Fidalgo shares his insights in "Platforms Pay the Price", published in WIPR – World IP Review, Issue 1 (2025), which explores the growing accountability of online platforms as evolving European regulations...

Thom Browne's battle with the EUIPO over its four-stripe motif raises questions about the distinctiveness of position marks. Diogo Antunes examines the EUIPO's reasoning...

International IP conventions set the foundations for consistent protection worldwide, yet their real effect depends on how each State incorporates them into its legal system.

Africa's fashion industry is booming, creating more job opportunities across the continent. Driven by youth, culture, and growing global interest, the sector is gaining international recognition through designers, brands, and events.

The Trade Marks Act (No. 11 of 2024) in Zambia has officially come into force, bringing several developments to intellectual property, including the highly anticipated registration of service trademarks.