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IP Legal Bulletin

Short notes on rule changes at patent and trade mark offices: laws, fees, procedures, deadlines and funding calls. Every note links to its official source, and past issues stay in the archive.

  • Information, not legal advice
  • Written with AI assistance, checked automatically against the source
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Offices followed: 14 (EPO, EUIPO, EU, UKIPO, DPMA (Germany), IGE (Switzerland), PRV (Sweden), PRH (Finland), Patentamt (Austria), IPOI (Ireland), USPTO, TIPO (Taiwan), WIPO, IPONZ (New Zealand)). · 29 coming soon

Issue of 13 July 2026

6 notes

Office
  • EPOProcedure

    MyEPO release 1.31.0 makes pilot features available to all users

    MyEPO release 1.31.0 makes several features available to all users after pilot trials were completed. The release notes link to feature guides on portfolios and documents, procedural requests, and managing user access in MyEPO.

    Published by the source on 13 July 2026

    Official source: EPO, Official Journal and legal notices

  • UKIPOProcedure

    Changes to IPO practice on search and examination of UK patent applications

    The IPO has changed its practice on the search and examination of UK patent applications under the Patents Act 1977 as amended. The page gives information on those changes.

    Published by the source on 14 July 2026

    Official source: UK Intellectual Property Office, guidance and notices (GOV.UK)

  • USPTOProcedure

    USPTO rule swaps names of electronic filing systems for generic terms in Madrid filings

    A final rule replaces references to particular electronic filing systems with generic terms in correspondence for international applications originating with the United States under the Madrid Protocol. The USPTO says the change clarifies terminology and does not change filing requirements or statutory obligations.

    Published by the source on 15 July 2026

    Official source: Federal Register, United States Patent and Trademark Office

  • USPTOProcedure

    USPTO announces Madrid e-Filing as new platform for international trademark filings

    The USPTO announced it will move to the Madrid e-Filing system for international trademark filings. The platform is run by the World Intellectual Property Organization and used by intellectual property offices in more than 40 countries.

    Published by the source on 15 July 2026

    Official source: USPTO, news and updates

  • USPTOProcedure

    Outbound Madrid Protocol filings move from TEASi to Madrid e-Filing on October 1, 2026

    Outbound Madrid Protocol filings moved from the Trademark Electronic Application System International to the Madrid e-Filing system on October 1, 2026.

    Published by the source on 13 July 2026

    Official source: USPTO, news and updates

  • USPTOProcedure

    Foreign-domiciled applicants must use a USPTO registered practitioner from July 20

    Foreign-domiciled patent applicants and owners must use a USPTO registered patent practitioner for correspondence with the USPTO. The requirement starts on July 20.

    Published by the source on 15 July 2026

    Official source: USPTO, news and updates

Notes are written with the help of artificial intelligence from the offices’ official sources, and each note is checked automatically against its source before it appears. Our editors review and correct them. Every note links to its source. Information, not legal advice.

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Archive

Past issues, newest first.

Offices coming soon

These offices are declared and will be followed as soon as their official source can be read automatically. Their notes are not in the bulletin yet.

Europe

  • UPCEurope (UPC states)
  • MIMIT (Italy)Italy
  • OEPM (Spain)Spain
  • DKPTO (Denmark)Denmark
  • Patentstyret (Norway)Norway
  • BOIP (Benelux)Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg
  • UPRP (Poland)Poland
  • IPO CZ (Czechia)Czechia
  • INPI (Portugal)Portugal
  • TURKPATENT (Türkiye)Türkiye
  • Rospatent (Russia)Russia

Asia

  • JPO (Japan)Japan
  • KIPO (Korea)South Korea
  • CNIPA (China)China
  • CGPDTM (India)India
  • IPD (Hong Kong)Hong Kong
  • IP VietnamVietnam
  • IPOPHL (Philippines)Philippines
  • DIP (Thailand)Thailand
  • DGIP (Indonesia)Indonesia
  • MyIPO (Malaysia)Malaysia
  • ILPO (Israel)Israel
  • SAIP (Saudi Arabia)Saudi Arabia

International

  • EAPOEurasia
  • OAPIAfrica (member states)
  • GCC Patent OfficeGulf Cooperation Council

Other

  • IP AustraliaAustralia
  • INPI (Brazil)Brazil
  • CIPC (South Africa)South Africa

Also watched, with nothing relevant lately: INPI (France), IPOS (Singapore), ARIPO, CIPO (Canada), IMPI (Mexico).