AIPPI Newsletter - August 2025

August 2025

Spotlight on Committees

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

AIPPI’s Amicus Brief Committee Activities regarding G 1/23 and G 1/24 of EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal

AIPPI Amicus Brief Committee

The Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBA) of the European Patent Office (EPO) has been busy this summer!

The EBA handed down two eagerly awaited decisions, in cases G 1/24 (18 June 2025), and G 1/23 (2 July 2025) within just a few weeks of each other.

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Affirmative Action Rulings: Global Impact on Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Sector

Idalla Brum and Aleksandra Penkowska, AIPPI Diversity & Inclusion Committee

At AIPPI, inclusivity and accessibility are about more than removing barriers — they are about creating spaces where everyone belongs.

From enhanced website features to on-site facilities in Yokohama, the AIPPI Events Team, supported by the D&I Committee, has collaborated to ensure every participant can fully engage, contribute, and feel at home.

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Highlights

Log Into the Attendee Hub and Start Planning for the 2025 AIPPI World Congress

Log in now to check out floor maps, browse homepage information, and start networking with fellow participants. The Attendee Hub gives constant updates on locations and documents, so be sure to keep an eye out during the Congress. Don't miss out on this valuable resource for making the most of your congress experience. We cannot wait to see you in Yokohama!

Log into the Attendee Hub

Spotlight on the Canadian 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 Canada!

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Law & Case Notes

Albania

New Law on Trademarks enters into force in Albania

Kujtesa Nezaj-Shehu and Morea Pula, IPLegals, Albania

Albania has adopted a significant reform in the field of industrial property with the new, stand-alone Law on Trademarks, which entered into force on August 16, 2025. Previously, trademarks were regulated under Part IV of Law No. 9947 on Industrial Property, alongside patents, industrial designs, and other industrial property rights. The new law detaches and replaces the trademark regulation entirely, creating a self-contained framework.

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Belgium

CJEU Ruling Denies Forfeiture of Trade Mark Rights through Inactivity and Underscores the Importance of Timely Trade Mark Registration

Michaël De Vroey, Emmanuel Cornu and Ségolène Nève, Simont Braun, Belgium

In a judgment of 1 August 2025 in the case of Lunapark Scandinavia Oy Ltd vs. Hardeco Finland Oy (C-452/24), the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) clarified the scope of national procedural autonomy in the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

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China

Judicial Interpretation on Sufficiency of Disclosure for Claims Involving Multi-Variable Equations

Sheng Wang, Shanghai Patent & Trademark Law Office, LLC, China

In a recent landmark case (2021) revealed in IP Administrative Final Judgment No. 1071 by the Supreme People's Court (最高法知行终1071号), which involves Shenzhen Haipengxin Electronics Co., Ltd.

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Japan

AI as an Inventor of Patents? IP High Court Judgment and the 2025 IP Strategic Program

Kozo Yabe, MIDOSUJI LPC, Japan

In January 2025, the Intellectual Property High Court (IPHC) of Japan, in a landmark ruling, substantially rejected the recognition of generative AI DABUS as an inventor under the patent system (Judgment of 30 January 2025, IPHC, Reiwa 6 [2024] Gyo-Ko No. 10006).

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Paraguay

Paraguay’s DINAPI Issues “Trademark Examination Guidelines”

Lorena Mersan, AIPPI Paraguay

The National Directorate of Intellectual Property (DINAPI) of Paraguay has published its first comprehensive “Trademark Examination Guidelines” (in Spanish “Directrices para el Examen de Marcas en Paraguay)” through Resolution No. 259/2025.

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USA

Not Close Enough for Cozy Comfort: Latest Design Patent Prosecution History Estoppel Case at the Federal Circuit

Dunstan H. Barnes, McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP, USA

On 17 July 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held that arguments Cozy Comfort made during prosecution to distinguish over a prior art design limited the scope of Cozy Comfort’s design patent under the doctrine of prosecution history estoppel.

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USA

Federal Circuit Affirms That Composition of Matter Claims are Directed to Patentable Subject Matter

Josh Goldberg and Nahied Usman, Nath, Goldberg & Meyer, USA

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) reversed the decision of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that certain “composition of matter” claims granted to US Synthetic were directed to a patent ineligible abstract idea under 35 U.S.C. § 101. US Synthetic Corp. v International Trade Commission, No. 23-1217 (Fed. Cir. 13 February 2025).

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NRGs News

Central America and the Caribbean

AIPPI CA-CARIB launches the “Moot IP Case Program” to Strengthen Legal Training in the Region

Santiago Mayora, Bascuñana, MAYORA IP, Guatemala

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Regional Group of Central America and the Caribbean of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI CA-CARIB)

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China

2025 AIPPI World Congress Briefing Concludes Successfully

Zhou Fang, Shanghai Intellectual Property Services Association, China

On the afternoon of 20 June, the first briefing for the 2025 AIPPI World Congress hosted by Shanghai Intellectual Property Services Association (SIPSA) and supported by AIPPI China—was successfully livestreamed on SIPSA’s official WeChat Video Channel, attracting over 300 attendees.

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Ethiopia

Accession to the Paris Convention Confirmed

Lena Karaminassian, Saba IP, Lebanon

Ethiopia has officially become a signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, with the agreement set to enter into force on 15 August 2025.

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Japan

The Japanese group's e-journal "A.I.P.P.I." latest issue (Vol. 50, No. 4) 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. 4) 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.

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Jordan

Amendments to Plant Variety Registration Regulations

Mohammed Al Masri, Saba IP, Jordan

The Ministry of Agriculture in Jordan has issued amendments to the plant variety registration regulations, published on 16 July 2025, which will take effect on 16 August 2025.

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Libya

Trademark Office Temporarily Suspends Operations Following Administrative Transfer

Roy Maroun, Saba IP, Lebanon

The Libyan Council of Ministers has issued a decision transferring the authority of the Trademark Office to the Commercial Registry, resulting in a temporary suspension of trademark application filings.

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Qatar

The trademark office introduces digital services

Firas Qumsieh, NJQ & Associatesm, Jordan

DOHA – The Intellectual Property Rights Protection Department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (the Office) has initiated a pilot phase introducing key digital transformations to its operations.

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Zanzibar

Official IP Fees Substantially Increased Effective 11 August 2025

Serge Haddad, Saba IP, Lebanon

The Zanzibar Industrial Property Office (ZIPO), operating under the Zanzibar Business and Property Registration Agency (BPRA), has implemented significant increases to official fees for intellectual property services.

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Upcoming Events

Estonia

Last Chance to Register for the AIPPI Baltic Conference 2025 in Tallinn!

Urmas Kauler, AIPPI Estonia

With only a few days remaining until the AIPPI Baltic Conference 2025, this is your final opportunity to secure a place at this unmissable IP event.

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FICPI

FICPI World Congress 2025

The theme for this year’s World Congress is cooperation in the IP world and the benefits it can bring. Enjoy Plenary, Breakout and Workshop Sessions, led by experts in their fields, plus FICPI’s signature social events, from the opening reception to gala dinner.

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AIPPI

Save the Date: 5–6 February 2026, Marrakech, Morocco

Mark your calendars for 5–6 February 2026 as the AIPPI MidTerm Meeting heads to the vibrant city of Marrakech, Morocco! Nestled at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and rich in culture, colour, and history, Marrakech promises an unforgettable setting for our first gathering of 2026.

Join us for two days of thought-provoking Panel Sessions and dynamic Social Events—designed to inspire connections, foster dialogue, and share insight with industry leaders.

Registration opens in October 2025 — stay tuned!