5 Absolute reasons why OSIM can refuse the registration of a trademark.
Although the law provides that any sign, including words, names of persons, letters, numbers, designs, colors, shapes or sounds, can constitute a trademark, this possibility is not unlimited. In order to benefit from protection, the sign must be capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings and be […]
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the mere initiation of an intellectual property dispute is sufficient to cause the trademark application to be withdrawn, especially when the difference in resources between the parties is significant.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 […]
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 […]
Women’s IP World 2026: Adina Timonea, nominated in the Top 100 Influential Women in Intellectual Property Law
Women’s IP World Annual has published the official results of the Top 100 Influential Women Leaders in IP Law – 2026 ranking, an international initiative that highlights women with real impact in the field of intellectual property, globally. The 2026 edition placed an increased emphasis on merit, concrete professional achievements and effective contribution to the […]
What matters more: marketing or trademark legal protection?
You have launched your business and you choose a name that “says it all” from the start. For example, if you’re selling cleaning services, “Smart Cleaning” looks perfect: it’s clear, modern, easy to remember, and it sounds good in ads, on social media, and even in Google. But here comes the question that matters […]