AIPPI Newsletter – June 2026

June 2026

Committee Chronicles

Mental Health from a Patent Attorney’s Perspective

Jifu Liu, reviewed by Julie Shin and Mami Hino, PatentSino IP Firm China

Patent attorneys are used to striking a balance in their multi-faceted practice that is often driven by critical due dates, juggling between, for example, complex claims, rigorous examinations and responses, and time-sensitive enforcement measures.

Highlights

Join the Global IP Community in Hamburg

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Four days of learning, collaboration, and connection – don't miss it.

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Sponsorship Opportunities for Hamburg

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Spotlight on the Chinese Activity Report

Every newsletter, we are sharing the best 2025 Activity Reports received from National and Regional Groups. This month, we’re happy to highlight AIPPI China!

2027 AIPPI World Congress to be held in Cannes, France

2027 AIPPI World Congress will be held in Cannes, France, from 14 to 17 September 2027 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes.

Following the Joint Statement of 2 May 2026, we are pleased to confirm Cannes as the host city. Located on the French Riviera, Cannes offers an exceptional setting for the global IP community to come together.

Please mark your calendar for this important event in Cannes in 2027.

Law & Case Notes

Belgium

Even Greater Efficiency for Dynamic Injunctions against Online Infringements of Copyright and Related Rights

Emmanuel Cornu and Arnaud Detry, Simont Braun, Belgium

Since 17 May 2026 and following the adoption of the law of 20 April 2026, holders of copyright, related rights and database rights may now seek provisional measures under the judicial procedure known as “dynamic injunctions” where the alleged infringement has not yet begun but is imminent.

Belgium

Pelham II: "CJEU Clarifies the Pastiche Exception for Musical Sampling"

Michaël De Vroey and Noah Verbaenen , Simont Braun, Belgium

On 14 April 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered its long‑awaited follow‑up judgment in the Pelham litigation.

China

Enforcement Measures for Trademark Owners

Jingjing Wu and Xue Li AFD China Intellectual Property, China

In commercial activities, a trademark is an important intellectual property that embodies a company’s brand image and market value.

China

Reshaping the Standards for "Obvious Error Correction" in Patent Invalidation: Insights from the SPC No. 246 Judgment

Richard Yong Wang, Panawell & Partners, LLC. China

The precision of language in patent claims is paramount, as it defines the legal boundaries of an invention. However, during the drafting or examination process, clerical errors or technical contradictions can occur.

France

Old brands, new companies: when evoking the past misleads about the present

Tougane Loumeau, Taliens Law Firm, France

Is a trademark evoking three centuries of artisanal heritage necessarily misleading when the company that owns it was incorporated barely fifteen years ago?

Italy

Beware of What You Allege in Court: Recent Italian Case-law on Frivolous Lawsuit and Bad Faith Litigation Involving IP Rights

Francesca Morri, Studio Legale Crespi, Italy

In recent times Italian IP Courts have issued some interesting decisions related to the liability for abuse of process in cases involving infringement of IPR.

Japan

Can Mass-Produced Useful Articles Be Copyrightable Works? Limits of Copyright Protection for Applied Art in the Supreme Court’s TRIPP TRAPP Decision

Gotaro Takahata, MIDOSUJI LPC, Japan

On 24 April 2026, the Supreme Court of Japan, in a case concerning a popular children’s chair brand (“TRIPP TRAPP”) articulated, for the first time, the Supreme Court’s standard for assessing whether applied art is copyrightable (Reiwa 7 (Ju) 356: in Japanese).

Poland

Will there be technical judges in Poland?

Rafał Witek and Maciej Gajos, WTS Patent Attorneys, Poland

A proposal to introduce technical judges into the Polish system of patent litigation is gaining traction. The issue took center stage at a conference organized by the Polish Chamber of Patent Attorneys on 29 January 2026, devoted to improving the efficiency of patent dispute resolution in Poland.

Russian Federation

AI Governance in Patent Attorney Practice: From Office Tools to Professional Responsibility

Anton Khomyakov, Khusainov Khomyakov & Partners, Russian Federation

Patent practice is no longer asking whether AI belongs in the room. It already does. It is a document-heavy and comparison-heavy discipline: patent databases, classification systems, search reports, claims, descriptions, office actions and technical disclosures all invite tool-assisted reading.

US

Practice Note: PIER Pilot Program for US National Stage Applications

Chris Scherer, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., US

On 9 April 2026, the USPTO announced the PCT Informed Examination Request (PIER) pilot program.

NRGs News

Costa Rica

What to expect in the Upcoming IV Congress of the Regional Group of Central America and the Caribbean and the AIPPI Reach Out Series in Santo Domingo

Paola Castro, CASTROIP, Costa Rica

On 2 – 3 July 2026, the intellectual property community will gather in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, for two flagship AIPPI events

Mexico

Amendments to Diverse Provisions of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property

Jose Juan Mendez and Israel Jimenez, Mexico National Group Reporters

These amendments are aimed at strengthening the innovation and technology transfer system, simplifying administrative procedures, and enhancing compliance instruments for the benefit of productive sectors and holders of industrial property rights.

Mexico

New Regulations to the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property in Mexico

Jose Juan Mendez and Israel Jimenez, Mexico National Group Reporters

This regulation clearly and precisely establishes the applicable procedures, deadlines, and requirements in IP, detailing and operationalizing the provisions set forth in the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property since its enactment six years ago, as well as several amendments.

Upcoming Events

AIPPI

AIPPI Pharma Committee Webinar – The Changing Pharmaceutical Regulatory Landscape in Europe: IP Implications and Opportunities on 17 June 2026

The European pharmaceutical regulatory framework is undergoing significant transformation, with far-reaching consequences for intellectual property rights and patent strategy.

AIPPI

AIPPI Standards and Patents Committee Webinar – Conduct as a Sword vs. Shield: Willingness in SEP Litigation in Brazil, China and India on 22 June 2026

The webinar will explore the evolving role of “willingness” in global SEP/FRAND disputes and how different jurisdictions assess the conduct of patentees and implementers.

AIPPI

Swiss Webinar: Recent Case Law of the Unified Patent Court on 25 June 2026

Join the joint webinar hosted by AIPPI, VESPA, VIPS and VSP. The webinar will cover key issues such as FRAND, long-arm jurisdiction, and inventive step.

AIPPI

AIPPI Reach Out Series I Santo Domingo Edition & IV Congress of the AIPPI CA-Caribbean Regional Group on 2 – 3 July 2026

We are delighted to invite you to join us from 2 July to 3 July 2026 at InterContinental Real in Santo Domingo. IP elite from the region are expected to come together at the AIPPI Reach Out Series | Santo Domingo Edition & IV Congress of AIPPI CA-Caribbean Regional Group.

AIPPI

Save The Date: 2026 Young AIPPI Members Summit on 9 – 10 July 2026

We are pleased to invite you to the 2026 Young AIPPI Members Summit, taking place online across 9 and 10 July 2026. The Summit brings together the young member community of AIPPI in a virtual setting, enabling young members to connect, and for young members to speak on topics relating to their experience and practice, and share insight relevant to young practitioners.