AIPPI Newsletter - March 2025

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March 2025

Highlights

Reflections on the 2025 AIPPI MidTerm Meeting in Zagreb

The 2025 AIPPI MidTerm Meeting in Zagreb brought together leading intellectual property professionals from around the world for an insightful and inspiring event. Over the course of the meeting, attendees engaged in thought-provoking discussions, explored emerging trends in IP law, and strengthened global connections within the AIPPI community.

Spotlight on the Chinese Activity Report

Every newsletter, we are sharing the best 2024 Activity Reports received from National and Regional Groups. This month, we’re happy to highlight AIPPI China! To all NRGs, don’t forget to send in your Activity Report to publications@aippi.org!

The 2025 AIPPI World Congress Is Heading to Yokohama From 13-16 September and Sponsorship Opportunities Are Going Fast!

Want to showcase your brand on a global stage? Check out the Sponsorship Brochure for Yokohama soon as items are selling fast... Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your brand's presence!

Secure your sponsorship

The AIPPI Elections Are Here!

The National and Regional Groups are invited by the Bureau of AIPPI to present nominations for candidates for the Bureau and the Statutory Committees. The invitation has been sent to the Presidents and Secretaries of your National and Regional Groups on 12 March 2025.

Law & Case Notes

Belgium

Court of Justice of the EU Rules on Jurisdiction in Cross-Border IP Disputes (BSH v Electrolux (C-339/22))

Arnaud Bouten, Fernand de Visscher & Eric De Gryse, Simont Braun, Belgium

In its landmark judgement of 25 February 2025, the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) clarifies the rules on jurisdiction in cross-border IP disputes in which both infringement and validity issues are raised.

China

Navigating the Greater Bay Area: Why Separate IP Registration in Macau Might Still Be a Smart Move

Domingos Ng 伍福賢, IPSOL Macau Intellectual Property Agency Limited (C&C Group), Macau China

Given the existing cross-border IP cooperation mechanism, it is still necessary to register intellectual property (IP) separately in Macau. We will investigate the reasons behind this view and reveal the importance of seeking IP protection in Macao, separately.

China

Fast or Slow? — Accelerated and Deferred Examination in Chinese Patent Examination Procedures

Tina Nan, Cohorizon IP Attorneys, China

In today's fast-paced market environment, the efficiency and flexibility of patent examination procedures are vital for protecting innovation and maintaining competitive advantage. The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) offers both accelerated and deferred examination systems, providing applicants with flexible options to meet their specific needs and adapt to dynamic market demands and technological advancements.

Georgia

Georgia: IPO Invites Trade Mark Owners to Amend Lists of Goods and Services, Official Fees Lifted until 7 March, 2025

Dimitar Batakliev, Petošević, Bulgaria

Georgia’s trade mark law amendments, which entered into force on 8 March 2024, introduced the literal interpretation of class headings and other individual broad or general terms or indications, and invited trade mark owners to update the lists of goods and services in their applications and registrations, within five years of the amendments’ entry into force – by 7 March 2029.

Iraq

Iraq Adopts the 11th Edition of the Nice Classification

Firas Qumsieh, NJQ & Associates, Jordan

BAGHDAD – In line with recent updates from the Trademark and Description Department of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals (the Department) back in August 2024 concerning the Classification system, Iraq has officially adopted the 11th Edition of the International Nice Classification of Goods and Services, effective January 2025.

Japan

Enforcing Japanese Patents Crossing the Border: Recent Supreme Court Rulings on Cross-Border Patent Infringement in Japan

Takeshi S. Komatani, Takashima International Patent Office, Japan

The Supreme Court of Japan has just issued landmark rulings in two patent infringement cases concerning the extraterritorial reach of Japanese patent act in March 2025. These cases clarify the applicability of Japanese patent rights to cross-border digital services and provide a legal framework for assessing infringement when digital content and software are transmitted from foreign servers to users in Japan.

Montenegro

Montenegro Amends Copyright Law

Mihajlo Zatezalo, Petošević, Serbia

Montenegro's recent copyright law amendments, which entered into force on 24 October 2024, aim to harmonize local legislation with two key EU directives, the EU Directive 2019/789 and the EU Directive 2019/790, and represent a significant step toward enhancing copyright protection in the digital environment.

Russia

Trademark Examination in Russia: New Challenges Under Stricter Organic Product Regulations

Ramzan Khusainov, Khomyakov & Partners, Russia

Starting 1 September 2025, amendments to the Federal Law "On Organic Products and Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation" will take effect in Russia. These changes are aimed, among other things, at tightening the rules for labeling organic products, which include agricultural products, agricultural raw materials, and foodstuffs.

Thailand

The EU-Thailand FTA Intellectual Property Gap

Victoria MacLeod, Tilleke & Gibbins, Thailand

The summary report of the fourth round of the EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (the “FTA”) negotiations in Bangkok was published, below we highlight some differences we might see once the chapter is complete.

Turkiye

Turkish Patent and Trademark Office is Finally Ready to Process Trademark Cancellation Actions

Ayse Irem Akdeniz, Istanbul Patent AS, Turkiye

Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (“Turkish PTO”) has become the sole authority to handle trademark cancellation actions as of 10 January 2024, but it has not been able to process such actions due to lack of Implementing Regulation and lack of other official necessities. With the required Implementing Regulation has gone into effect as of 15 March 2025, it appears that the Turkish PTO will start processing trademark cancellation proceedings.

Uruguay

PCT in Uruguay: Entry into Force, Update, Status, and Steps Towards Implementation

Gustavo Fischer, Fischer Abogados, Uruguay

Background: Approval of PCT by Law No. 20.299 of 21 June 2024

As may be recalled, on 11 June 2024, the Chamber of Senators of the Parliament of Uruguay finally approved Uruguay's accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), thus completing its approval by both houses of the Uruguayan Parliament.

USA

Trademarks, Parody, and the First Amendment

Robert Sacoff, Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP, USA

On remand from the Supreme Court, the trial court ruled that the BAD SPANIELS dog toy, spoofing the famous JACK DANIEL’S brand and whiskey bottle, constituted trademark dilution, but not trademark infringement.

NRGs News

Costa Rica

New Board for the Central America and the Caribbean Regional Group of AIPPI 2025-2027

Paola Castro Montealegre, CastroIP, Costa Rica

We are pleased to announce that the AIPPI Central America and Caribbean Regional Group has elected its new Board of Directors for the upcoming 2025-2027 term. This new Board introduces two additional positions: Treasurer and Group Reporter (Vocal), both of which aim to further enhance the organisational structure and operations of the Regional Group.

Italy

The National Regional Group of Italy Celebrates Its 100th anniversary

Simona Lavagnini, LGV Avvocati, Italy

The Italian presence in AIPPI belongs to the very early stages of the association's birth: when the association was founded in 1897, a number of eminent Italians such as professor Moise Amar, lawyer Edoardo Bosio and engineer Carlo Barzanò Weew among the 'founding fathers'.

Italy

Joint Seminars Between AIPPI, Italian Group and The Rome Bar Association on Trade Secrets: Substantive, Procedural, and Ethical Protection

Raffaella Arista, Studio Legale Improda Avvocati Associati, Italy

The organisation of the two seminar days dedicated to “trade secrets: substantive, procedural, and ethical protection”, jointly by the AIPPI, Italian Group and the Intellectual Property Commission of the Rome Bar Association (the largest in Italy with thirty-two thousand members), has been a resounding success.

Japan

The Japanese Group's E-Journal "A.I.P.P.I." Latest Issue (Vol 50, No.1) Is Now Available to All AIPPI Members

Masatoshi Abe, AIPPI Japan

The AIPPI Japanese Group is pleased to inform you that the latest issue (Vol 50, No.1) of the Japanese Group's e-journal "A.I.P.P.I." is now available to all AIPPI members. You can view the contents page for this issue below.

United Arab Emirates

The UK IPO & AIPPI UAE Group Roundtable (AI and Intellectual Property Discussions in the UAE) Held in February 2025

Munir Suboh, Taylor Wessing & Natalie Slabbert, Technology Innovation Institute

An event was held in Dubai on 3 February 2025 to discuss AI and Intellectual Property. The UK Intellectual Property Office ("IPO") delegates led by its CEO Mr Adam Willaims attended this roundtable and worked closely with the AIPPI UAE Group leaders to organize an inspiring roundtable to the attendees. We share this update to brief on some of the discussions and interventions provided by the speakers during this event.

Upcoming Events

Enforcement & Patent Webinar on 23 April Discussing the New Cross Border Patent Litigation Opportunities in Europe

Register now for the Webinar on New cross border patent litigation opportunities in Europe – the implications of the CJEU’s judgment in BSH Hausgeräte GmbH v Electrolux AB

The Standing Committee of Enforcement and Patents invites you to join the discussion on 23 April 2025 (13:00-14:30 CET).

Register now

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