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intellectual property

Norms & Regulation

Recent IP Legal Actions and Regulatory Discussions

In 2024, Nintendo of America commenced copyright infringement proceedings in the United States, highlighting ongoing enforcement efforts in the digital realm [source 2]. Concurrently, the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s dispute settlement system faces continued scrutiny, with an update provided by Seun Lari-Williams [source 3]. These developments occur as practitioners and academics prepare to discuss the future of European copyright law at an upcoming online conference in November 2026 [source 1].

Giovanni Sapere

Patents

NAPP Urges PERA Revision; Micron Licenses Netlist Memory Portfolio

The National Association of Patent Practitioners (NAPP) has called for revisions to the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA) to refine its language regarding machine-use requirements [IPWatchdog]. This development coincides with Micron Technology's agreement to license Netlist's memory portfolio for $600 million, resolving ongoing litigation between the two companies [IPWatchdog].

Giovanni Sapere

Music

Music Streaming Fraudster Michael Smith Sentenced to 18 Months

American producer Michael Smith has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for an AI-powered music streaming fraud scheme. Smith pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which illegally netted him more than $8 million in royalties from streaming services. The verdict aims to deter similar illicit activities within the music industry.

Giovanni Sapere

Gaming

SLICE Expo Connects Indie Game Creators in Seattle

The SLICE: Seattle Loves Indie Creators Expo is set to convene game developers in Seattle, Washington, on September 2, 2026. This event aims to equip both emerging and established studios with essential connections and knowledge to advance their projects and intellectual property in the competitive gaming industry [Game Developer](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/events/slice).

Letizia Giugliano

Patents

AAFA Urges USTR to List U.S. Platforms for Counterfeiting

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has formally requested the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to include major online platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, in its 2026 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy (NML) report. This move aims to enhance the protection of intellectual property and prevent the sale of dangerous counterfeit goods to consumers [IPWatchdog]. The AAFA represents over 1,100 apparel, footwear, and sewn products brands, highlighting the significant impact of counterfeiting on their industry and public safety [IPWatchdog].

Giovanni Sapere

Norms & Regulation

Olymp Loses EU Appeals for Color Combination Trademarks

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

Music

Bowie80: A Year-Long Celebration of David Bowie's Legacy

David Bowie, who passed away in 2016, would have celebrated his 80th birthday on January 8, 2027. To honor this milestone, a year-long global celebration, branded as Bowie80, has been announced, commencing this week and extending into 2028 and 2029. This extensive program of events, releases, and collaborations represents an innovative approach to commemorating the artist's enduring legacy and managing his intellectual property [Music Ally](https://musically.com/2026/10/07/david-bowies-80th-birthday-gets-a-year-long-bowie80-celebration/).

Giovanni Sapere

Norms & Regulation

German Supreme Court Raises Bar for Abstract Color Trademarks

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

Gadget

Disney+ to Stream Super Bowl LXI and Monday Night Football

Disney+ will stream Super Bowl LXI on February 14, marking a significant expansion of live sports content on the platform. This innovation in content distribution will also include two Monday Night Football games, starting October 26 with the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys. The initiative aims to make major sporting events accessible to a wider audience, particularly those without traditional network television access [Engadget].

Giovanni Sapere

Music

Spotify Expands Music Quiz Globally, Plans São Paulo Superfan Event

Spotify is expanding its interactive Music Quiz feature to 11 countries, offering quizzes for over 2,000 artists to its Premium subscribers. This move represents an innovation in user engagement, building on earlier tests and previous ventures into music-based gaming. In parallel, the streaming giant announced a "Spotify Superfans Experience" (SFX) event scheduled for early next year in São Paulo, Brazil [Music Ally](https://musically.com/2026/10/07/spotify-expands-music-quiz-and-preps-sao-paulo-superfans-experience/).

Letizia Giugliano

Patents

WIPO Honors Cities for Innovation; EPO Reports High Patent Quality

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

Norms & Regulation

The IPKat Blog Refreshes Its Look at 23

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

Music

US Copyright Board to Set Streaming Music Royalties

The US Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) has initiated the Phonorecords V proceeding, a critical process to establish mechanical royalty rates for music streaming services over the next five years. This week marks the submission of written testimonies and rate proposals from digital service providers (DSPs) and music publishers, highlighting the ongoing debate about fair compensation for intellectual property in the digital music landscape [Music Ally](https://musically.com/2026/10/07/dima-hopes-for-timely-resolution-of-phonorecords-v-proceeding/).

Letizia Giugliano

Norms & Regulation

European IP Developments: AI, 3D Printing, and Copyright Rulings

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

Music

Italy Probes AI Music Startup Suno Over Unfair Terms

Italy's competition authority, AGCM, has launched an investigation into the artificial intelligence music generator Suno regarding its terms of service. The probe focuses on potential imbalances in contractual rights and obligations, particularly concerning copyright and the company's ability to make unilateral changes. This action expands Suno's legal challenges beyond existing copyright lawsuits in other regions [Music Ally](https://musically.com/2026/10/07/italys-competition-watchdog-probes-suno-over-unfair-terms/).

Letizia Giugliano

Norms & Regulation

EPO Board Rules on Claim Ambiguity; Belgian Patent Litigation Reviewed

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

Music

HumanCulture's AI Predicts Social Media Music Performance

HumanCulture, a new startup co-founded by former executives from Defected Records and AWAL, has officially launched its predictive intelligence technology designed to forecast social media content performance for music artists. The platform aims to provide data-driven direction to creative teams before content is published, claiming high accuracy rates [1]. This development offers a new tool for the music industry to optimize digital marketing strategies.

Letizia Giugliano