German textile company Olymp has lost two appeals before the European Union's General Court concerning the registration of color combination marks. These decisions highlight the ongoing challenges for businesses seeking to protect brand elements through non-traditional intellectual property rights in the EU, particularly when relying on color alone for distinctiveness.
Letizia Giugliano
The German Supreme Court has recently issued a significant ruling, making it more challenging to obtain trademark protection for abstract color marks based on acquired distinctiveness [The IPKat](http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5574479/posts/default/903164312701155405). This development underscores the evolving landscape of intellectual property law, a theme also explored in a new academic handbook on upcycling [The IPKat](http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5574479/posts/default/2308835532720489033).
Giovanni Sapere
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently announced Charleroi, Liverpool, and Shanghai as the inaugural recipients of its "City of Innovation" award, recognizing their dedication to fostering creativity and innovation within their communities. Concurrently, the European Patent Office (EPO) released its Quality dashboard update for the third quarter of 2026, demonstrating continued high standards in its patent granting process.
Giovanni Sapere
The IPKat blog, a well-known online resource for intellectual property news and analysis, is celebrating its 23rd year with a significant refresh of its visual design and user interface. This update aims to enhance readability and navigation for its global readership, which includes patent attorneys, researchers, and inventors.
Letizia Giugliano
The European intellectual property landscape is seeing significant developments, with a recent German court ruling on copyright, a French draft decree addressing 3D-printed spare parts, and an upcoming transatlantic dialogue on artificial intelligence and copyright [The IPKat - Never Too Late](http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5574479/posts/default/8967767037009385522), [The IPKat - Friday Fantasies](http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5574479/posts/default/4910257983581926118), [The IPKat - 3D-printed spare parts: IP and sustainability](http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5574479/posts/default/7324440899926444539). These events reflect ongoing efforts to adapt legal frameworks to technological advancements and evolving creative practices.
Letizia Giugliano
The European Patent Office (EPO) Board of Appeal recently addressed the issue of claim ambiguity in a case concerning an e-cigarette cartridge, impacting how "added subject-matter" is assessed. Concurrently, a review by the Stibbe IP team summarized significant Belgian patent litigation decisions from mid-2025 to mid-2026, covering topics like injunction liability and cross-border seizure orders.
Giovanni Sapere
Explore EPO and Arkema’s dialogue on patent quality, AI integration, and sustainable technologies, fostering innovation aligned with global goals.
Giovanni Sapere
For decades, science fiction has tantalised us with the prospect of touchable holographic projections. While we have not yet reached “Star Wars” levels, a revolutionary innovation by researchers at the UpnaLab at the Universidad Pública de Navarra brings us much closer to this vision. Their new…
Evgeny Novikov
The urban logistics sector is experiencing a revolution thanks to autonomous vehicles, and WeRide, a leader in autonomous driving, has just raised the bar with its new Robovan W5. This is a fully autonomous Level 4 van, designed to handle deliveries efficiently and safely without the need for a…
Evgeny Novikov
At the heart of British scientific research, an extraordinary innovation is taking shape: a diamond nuclear battery, capable of transforming radioactive waste into an extremely long-lasting source of energy. Developed by the University of Bristol, this technology could revolutionise the way we…
Evgeny Novikov
The Tokyo metropolitan government will launch an experiment starting in April 2025 that will allow civil servants to work four days a week. The initiative aims to counter Japan’s, and particularly the capital’s, drastic population decline by making it easier to balance work and family life. Workers…
Gaia Brindisi
Can an electric aircraft change the future of aviation? The Heart X1, developed by Heart Aerospace, promises to do so, marking a crucial step towards more sustainable skies. This innovative all-electric aircraft represents not only a solution for reducing emissions in aviation, but also a symbol of…
Evgeny Novikov
Defining clear goals, embracing creativity and collaboration, creating a productive workspace, and being flexible are smart ways to maintain productivity throughout the invention journey. Since the nature of the invention process is often complex and unpredictable, involving numerous iterations,…
Contributor
The International Electric Mobility Showcase 2023 (IEMS 2023), slated for October 4-6, 2023, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), will be the focal point for discussions on net zero transportation and mobility. Co-organised by the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation…
Letizia Giugliano
Discovering the Cleanker experimental project to cut CO2 emissions by producing new energy in the process.
Giovanni Sapere
ZEBRA tries to revolutionize the world of energy by creating the first recyclable wind turbine blade.
Giovanni Sapere
In recent hours, there has been talk on the net of another Apple patent that envisages a dual-screen Macbook model. The patent application actually dates back to 2018, but it was only approved yesterday, 24 August, a sign that the company has continued to consider the idea valid and want to protect…
Letizia Giugliano
Slow Mo Guys’ youtubers managed to film the speed of light using ultra slow-motion cameras from CALTECH University in Pasadina
Giovanni Sapere
