AIPPI Newsletter - February 2025

E-mail not displaying properly? Click here to view it in your browser

February 2025

Highlights

Kicking off the New Year - AIPPI Events

Lorenza Ferrari Hofer, President of AIPPI

Dear Members

Dear Friends

As the New Year is rolling out, we would like to make you attentive to the upcoming AIPPI activities. From regional gatherings to global congresses, we have put together a diverse programme with several enriching events aimed at fostering research and innovation in all areas of intellectual property and supporting knowledge-sharing experiences among intellectual property (IP) professionals.

AIPPI is happy to introduce its new Executive Director

Sue Paredi, Executive Director of AIPPI

An introduction to Sue Paredi, AIPPI’s new ED, an experienced Senior Leader with a strong connection to AIPPI’s mission and goals. Over the years, she has gained expertise in areas like NGO management, finance, event organisation, business excellence, project management, and IT.

The 100^th anniversary for 9 of our National Regional Groups!

This year is especially monumental for some of our National Regional Groups, as nine of them are celebrating their 100th anniversary! 🎉

We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands and United Kingdom for achieving such a significant milestone. Your dedication and hard work have truly made a difference in the world of intellectual property.

Stay tuned as we will be highlighting a different NRG each month on our social media channels, LinkedIn and Instagram. Let's celebrate these amazing achievements together!

Check out the Star items from the 2025 AIPPI World Congress Sponsorship Brochure

Check out our best sponsorship items for the 2025 AIPPI World Congress in Yokohama, Japan! These star items will significantly increase brand visibility, reaching a global audience!

The booths for our exhibition area are selling out fast… Make sure to secure your spot now and stand out among industry leaders!

Register now

Ready for the social events during our 2025 AIPPI MidTerm Meeting in Zagreb, Croatia?

Less than a month until we gather in Zagreb, Croatia for an immersive IP experience! But don't forget about the AIPPI Networking Evening on 20 February 2025 at 20.00!

Co-organised with the AIPPI Croatian Group, join us at Pivovara Medvedgrad, one of the oldest and largest family-owned breweries in Croatia. See you there!

Law & Case Notes

Brazil

Evolving Industrial Design Protection in Brazil: Recent Changes and Challenges

Saulo Calazans & Alexander Rodrigues, Magellan IP, Brazil

Over the past two years, Brazil has made significant strides toward aligning its industrial design protection framework with international standards. Key developments, including its accession to the Hague Agreement and the publication of a comprehensive BPTO (Brazilian PTO) manual for industrial designs, aim to enhance Brazil's industrial competitiveness and ease of doing business.

Brazil

Updates in Brazilian PTO's Trademark Manual allow slogan registration

Marcos Chucralla Moherdaui Blasi, Mariana Zanardo Dessotti & Ana Julia de Aquino Codelo, Lobo de Rizzo, Brazil

“Everyone wears it - Havaianas”, “The real mayonnaise – Hellmann’s”, “Just Do It – Nike”, “What else? – Nespresso” and “Red Bull Gives You Wings – Red Bull”. These and many other easily recognisable slogans can now be registered as trademarks in Brazil, thanks to the new update to the Trademark Manual published by the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (“BPTO”) on 27 November 2024.

China

Introduction of Guidance on Incorporation by Reference to Patent Applications for Invention or Utility Model

Guifen Yi, Liu, Shen & Associates, China

On 24 December 2024, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released the Guidance on Application of Incorporation by Reference to Patent Applications for Invention or Utility Model (called the “Guidance” hereinafter), which aims to guide applicants to accurately understand and utilise the system of incorporation by reference to patent applications for invention or utility model when missing or wrongly submitting claims, specification or part of claims and specification upon filing an application in China, a new mechanism introduced in the revised Implementing Regulations of the Patent Law of China.

India

Crystallised Control: Unlocking the Secrets to Polymorph Patents in India

Sharad Vadehra, Kan and Krishme, India

Polymorphs are compounds with the same chemical composition but different crystalline structures, resulting in varied physical properties like solubility and dissolution rates. These differences make polymorphs vital in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and pigments.

India

FRAND Litigation and SEP Dispute- Indian Perspective

Vikrant Rana, Rana & Co, India

With a telecom subscriber base of 1203.6 million, India has the second largest telecommunication market in the world . These numbers indicate the paramount and emerging importance of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) and related disputes in the Indian sub-continent.

India

Immunising a Genetically Modified Mouse for Producing Antibodies held patentable under Section 3(i) by Indian Court

Malathi Lakshmikumaran & Supriya Ramacha, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorneys, India

Patentable subject matter exclusions are litigious subject matter in most countries. While many of the categories of exclusion are common across jurisdictions, there are a few provisions that exhibit divergent positions or interpretations.

India

The ‘Stale’mate in IP Enforcement?

Mohan Dewan, R K Dewan & Co., India

India's intellectual property enforcement is at pivotal crossroads, as evidenced by the recent ruling from the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the case of Arun Kumar v. State of Punjab & Anr. This decision highlights the challenges posed by procedural hurdles and gaps in the enforcement framework and the distinction between what constitutes copyright and trademark infringement, an area still is nebulous in India.

Japan

IP High Court rules on disclaimer claims in favor of patentee

Yuichiro Suzuki, Kubota, Japan

The Chemours Company (the “Plaintiff”) is the holder of a patent for a composition that can be used as a refrigerant (the “Patent”). AGC Inc., filed an invalidation action against the Patent with the JPO. After the trial, the JPO issued a preliminary notice of decision to invalidate the Patent citing a prior art that denies inventive step.

Yemen

Yemen: hold on the number of items lifted

Firas Qumsieh, NJQ & Associates, Jordan

SANA’A - The Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Investment issued Ministerial Decree No. 52 of 2024, dated 6 November 2024, concerning the maximum number of items permitted in the list of goods and services in a trademark application.

NRGs News

Estonia

14^th AIPPI Baltic Conference on 4-6 September 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia

Urmas Kauler, Estonian Group of AIPPI

Join intellectual property experts from the Baltic region and around the globe at the 14th AIPPI Baltic Conference on 4-6 September 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia.

France

Debrief of the Annual Congress with magistrates at the French courts and with the French Patent Office

Laurence Loumes, Plasseraud IP, France

Upon coming back from Hangzhou, the French group had the pleasure to meet again in November, this time with magistrates at the French courts who regularly deal with IP matters and with members of the French patent office (INPI).

France

Impact of AI on IP conference

Laurence Loumes, Plasseraud IP, France

To start 2025 after electing its new bureau including its new president Richard Monni, the French group organised an afternoon of debates with a well-attended conference on the impact of AI on IP rights.

Honduras

AIPPI Central American and Caribbean Group hosts breakfast at the XXIV ASIPI Congress in Panama City

Blanca Mejia, Bufete Mejia & Asociados, AIPPI Central America and Caribbean Group

On 1 December 2024, the AIPPI Central American and Caribbean Group hosted a special breakfast during the XXIV ASIPI Congress in Panama City. This breakfast gathering provided a fantastic opportunity for regional members to come together, strengthen connections, and continue promoting the development of intellectual property in our region.

Honduras

AIPPI Central American and Caribbean Group at CAMPI’s II Intellectual Property Seminar: Save the Date!

Blanca Mejia, Bufete Mejia & Asociados, AIPPI Central America and Caribbean Group

The AIPPI Central American and Caribbean Group is pleased to announce its participation in the II Intellectual Property Seminar, organised by the Cámara Guatemalteca de la Propiedad Intelectual (CAMPI) in collaboration with AMCHAM Guatemala. This important seminar will take place on 20 February 2025, at the Courtyard Hotel by Marriott in Guatemala City.

Italy

Bologna conference on Greewashing

Adriano Sponzilli, Costa-Creta Law Firm, Italy

A conference on Greenwashing was organised by the Bologna branch of AIPPI Italian Group at the end of last year. The purpose was to provide, in light with the Italian system, an overview of the regulation of so-called "green claims," i.e., commercial communications that advertise and promote the environmental attributes of products and services, in light of the recent EU Directive 2024/825 ("Empowering consumers for the green transition through better protection against unfair practices and through better information") and the draft Directive COM (2023) 166 ("Substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims").

Japan

The Japanese group's e-journal "A.I.P.P.I." latest issue (Vol 49, No.5) is now available to all AIPPI members

The AIPPI Japanese Group is pleased to inform you that the latest issue (Vol 49, No.5) 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.

Turkiye

AIPPI Türkiye National Group will organise an International IP Seminar in İstanbul

Önder Erol Ünsal, Ankara Patent, Turkiye

AIPPI Türkiye National Group has organised an International IP Seminar, with the title “Sertaç Köksaldı - 6^th Intellectual Property Seminar”, which will take place on 3-4 April 2025 at İstanbul Naval Museum.

UAE

Initiative Update from the UAE Ministry of Economy from AIPPI UAE Group

Natalie Slabbert & Munir Suboh, UAE

An official event was held on 6 January 2024, hosted by the UAE Ministry of Economy (MoE), under the esteemed patronage of H.E. Abdulla Alsaleh to give some key updates on recent initiatives in the IP sector.

NRGs News

AIPPI

Join us for our webinar 'New Year, new me - notes from the design's diary' on 13 February

Mark 13 February (14:30-15:30 CET) already in your calendar as our young Polish members will be sharing insights on the significant changes coming to EU Design Law in 2025. More specifically, they will navigate the audience through major points of the European Design Regulation and the European Design Directive, as well as more detailed matters as the repair clause and cumulative protection of designs.

AIPPI

Exciting News: the Diversity & Inclusion Committee is back with a webinar

Join us on 18 March at 15:00 CET, to discuss Navigating Ageism in IP Law: Fostering Intergenerational Excellence. Don't miss out on this important conversation.

©2024 AIPPI. All Rights Reserved.

Toedistrasse 16, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland