World Cup 2026: A lesson in intellectual property.
Just a few months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Spanish authorities, with the support of the EUIPO, Europol, Interpol and OLAF, seized more than 66,000 counterfeit shirts and sports equipment. The estimated value of the products exceeded two million euros, and the damage caused to the rightholders was estimated at […]
EUIPO study: 73% of Europeans are willing to pay more for design.
Have you ever wondered why two almost identical products can have completely different prices? Why does a consumer choose a certain perfume bottle, a certain chair or a certain app, even though the alternatives offer similar functions? Often, the answer lies not in the technical characteristics of the product, but in the design. The shape, […]
Beyond products and packaging: 7 surprising creations that can be protected by designs at EUIPO
When we talk about design protection at the EUIPO, most entrepreneurs think of physical products such as furniture, clothing, packaging or accessories. In fact, in a previous article I presented the most common categories of products registered as design with the EUIPO, which you can consult here. Today, however, we turn our attention to a […]
TikTok vs. TickTickTrader: Why did the tech giant lose the brand dispute?
It is not uncommon for global brand owners to file oppositions against trademarks filed by small or start-up companies. In many situations, the mere initiation of an intellectual property dispute is sufficient to cause the trademark application to be withdrawn, especially when the difference in resources between the parties is significant. However, the case “TikTok […]
Brands for Virtual Products and Metaverse: What Happens When Your Brand Enters the Digital World?
Until recently, the question “is my name protected?” referred almost exclusively to the physical world: stores, labels, products on the shelf. Today, the same brand can appear on an object in a video game, on a digital piece of clothing or in a virtual metaverse-type space, and it raises exactly the same legal issues. What […]
Why do SMEs in Romania lose available European money for brand protection?
In recent years – including 2026 – the European Union has made funds dedicated to the protection of intellectual property available to SMEs, for trademarks, designs and even patents. It is a real, concrete support that can significantly reduce the costs of these steps. Although the initiative is not guaranteed indefinitely, there is currently this […]
How much does it actually cost to register your trademark in 2026 (with and without SME Fund)?
One of the most common questions we get from entrepreneurs is, “How much does it cost me to register my trademark?” The answer depends on several factors (brand type, number of classes, logo color, where you register it), but in 2026 there is one element that makes a major difference: the SME Fund, which can […]
Can you register a country’s name as a trademark? Lessons from ICELAND.
Choosing a brand name seems, at first glance, a creative decision. But what happens when you choose a name that already exists on the map? Can you “book” a country for your business? And, above all, how safe is such a brand in the long term? A recent case by the General Court of the […]
Did you miss SME Fund 2025? What you need to do differently in 2026
Many entrepreneurs have heard of the SME Fund, but in practice many end up saying the same thing: “I wanted to apply, but I didn’t get the chance.” In 2025, some vouchers were quickly sold out, and many companies discovered too late that they could have recovered a significant portion of the trademark registration fees. […]
How to apply step by step for SME Fund 2026? Practical guide for Romanian entrepreneurs.
SME Fund 2026 is the kind of opportunity you hear mentioned often, but it’s rarely clearly explained to you: what you need to prepare, where you apply, when you pay, and when your repayment comes in. If you want to register your trademark or design (with OSIM or EUIPO) and recover a significant part of […]