AIPPI Newsletter - January 2026

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January 2026

Message from the President

Lorenza Ferrari Hofer, AIPPI President

On behalf of the Bureau, I extend to you and your families our best wishes for the New Year!

A successful AIPPI year has just ended, and a full program is waiting ahead. I hope you share the Bureau’s excitement.

Every newsletter, we share an update regarding the great work of our AIPPI Committees. This month, we focus on Diversity and Inclusion Committee!

Spotlight on Committees

Keeping the Torch Burning: Why EDI Remains Critical for the IP Profession

Maria Cecilia Romoleroux, Cyra Nargolwalla, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Intellectual property professionals gathered on 4 November 2025, in London as part of IP Inclusive’s 10th anniversary events to reaffirm that Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are strategic imperatives for the future of the sector.

Highlights

Get ready for the 2026 AIPPI MidTerm Meeting taking place on 5 - 6 February in Marrakech, Morocco

Download your Event Mobile App!

Organize your personal schedule, connect with fellow attendees, explore sessions and speakers, familiarize yourself with the venue, and dive into the Marrakech Guide.

Download it from your Google Play Store & App Store

If you have the App downloaded already, please delete and re-download it to ensure you have the latest AIPPI App version.

You can also access the Attendee Hub website or the MidTerm Meeting general website.

Law & Case Notes

China

A Legislative Milestone: China Releases the 2025 Draft Amendment to the Trademark Law for Review by National Lawmakers

Leslie Xu, Chang Tsi & Partners, China

China’s fifth amendment to the Trademark Law has reached a critical milestone.

On 27 December 2025, the National People’s Congress (NPC) published the long-anticipated Draft Amendment to the PRC Trademark Law for public consultation.

Macau, China

From Human Spark to Machine Output: Rethinking Originality in Macau’s IP Landscape

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

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape global creative industries, Macau with its unique legal positioning and robust Decree-Law no. 43/99/M (the "Copyright Law"), stands at a critical juncture.

Denmark

The Danish Supreme Court Establishes a Strong Validity Presumption for Patents in Preliminary Injunction Cases

Mikkel Vittrup, Plesner Advokatpartnerselskab, Denmark

On 8 January 2026, the Danish Supreme Court rendered a decision in three joined cases regarding three granted preliminary injunction orders and established a strong presumption of validity of patents.

France

Beyond Passive Hosting: The French Supreme Court Rules on Airbnb's Liability for Third-Party Illicit Content

Tougane Loumeau, (with the help of Mar Vilaseca), Taliens, France

In two decisions handed down on 7 January 2026, the French Supreme Court (Cour de cassation) addressed whether Airbnb can rely on the hosting provider exemption when its services are used for illicit purposes.

Japan

“Don’t Aid pirates”; The Court Found Cloudflare Liable for Aiding and Abetting Copyright Infringement of One Piece

Naho Ebata, Abe, Ikubo & Katayama, Japan

On 19 November 2025, the Tokyo District Court rendered a landmark judgment against Cloudflare, Inc., holding the U.S.-based Content Delivery Network (CDN) provider liable for aiding the infringement of publication rights regarding four Manga titles including globally popular works such as ONE PIECE and Attack on Titan.

Jordan

Algeria: Official IP Fees Revised under New Finance Law

Firas Qumsieh, NJQ & Associates, Jordan

ALGIERS – The Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) has announced the implementation of a revised fee structure for intellectual property services, following amendments introduced under the Finance Law of December 2025.

Kenya

Online Filing System Introduced for Industrial Property Rights

Namir Sioufi, Saba IP, Kenya

The Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) has launched an Online Filing System for industrial property applications, allowing electronic filing and payment on a 24/7 basis.

Maldives

Statutory Trademark Registration System Enacted

Lara Nouehid, Saba IP, Maldives

The Maldives has enacted a new Trademarks Act, introducing a statutory trademark registration system and replacing reliance on cautionary notices and unregistered rights.

Qatar

Qatar and Republic of Korea Cooperate on Development of a National Intellectual Property Strategy

Sami Nusair, Saba IP, Qatar

Qatar has entered into an agreement with the Republic of Korea to develop a national intellectual property (IP) strategic plan as part of broader efforts to strengthen its IP ecosystem and support innovation-led growth.

Russian Federation

Trademark Survival Guide: Protecting Your Assets in a New Reality

Pavel Guerman, INTELS, Russian Federation

It has been three years since many foreign right holders left the Russian market. For the professional community this is a sign that many objects of intellectual property, especially clients' trademarks, are at high risk: according to Article 1486 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, legal protection of a trademark may be terminated early due to non-use for three consecutive years.

Syria

U.S. Sanctions Repeal and IP Portfolio Review

Hussein Hallaj, Saba IP, Syria

In December 2025, the United States repealed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 through the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, following earlier measures in 2025 lifting comprehensive US sanctions on Syria.

UK

Getty Images v Stability AI: UK High Court Finds No Secondary Copyright Infringement in Landmark GenAI Ruling

Laura Adde, Hogarth Chambers, UK

In its highly-anticipated judgment in Getty Images v Stability AI [2025] EWHC 2863 (Ch), the UK High Court rejected Getty Images’ claim for secondary copyright infringement against Stability AI.

NRGs News

Japan

The Japanese group's e-journal "A.I.P.P.I." latest issue (Vol. 50, No. 6) is now available to all AIPPI members.

Masatoshi Abe, AIPPI Japan, Japan

The AIPPI Japanese Group is pleased to inform you that the latest issue (Vol. 50, No. 6) of the Japanese Group's e-journal "A.I.P.P.I." is now available to all AIPPI members.

Upcoming Events

AIPPI

International Update: Courts and (Interim) FRAND Licensing Firm

Hosted by the Standing Committee on Standards and Patent.

With the webinar “International Update: Courts and (Interim) FRAND Licensing”, the Standing Committee on Standards and Patents dives into the rapidly evolving field of decisions concerning interim FRAND licenses in European and international SEP litigation.

Mexico

“A Trilateral IP Cup” will be held in Mexico City on 5 and 6 March 2026.

It will address topics related to the USMCA free trade agreement involving the three countries, as well as intellectual property issues in the context of the upcoming FIFA World Cup that will be hosted across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

AIPPI Mexico as the host National Group warmly welcomes all participants to take advantage in this opportunity to visit Mexico.

Thailand

Save the Date – AIPPI reach out series Phuket, Thailand

AIPPI Reach Out Series is coming to Phuket, Thailand on 27 March 2026 at the Beyond Kata & Pamookkoo Resort.

All AIPPI Members are invited and can bring a colleague from their firm.

Dominican Republic

Save the Date – AIPPI reach out series Dominican Republic

Carmen Prieto Villegas, OrangeIP, Dominican Republic

AIPPI Regional Group from Central America and the Caribbean – IV Congress

We are pleased to invite you to the IV Congress of the AIPPI Regional Group from Central America and the Caribbean, which will take place for the first time in the vibrant city of Santo Domingo.

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