Our publications
Overview of the EPO Strategic Plan 2028
The EPO recently published its new strategic plan for the coming years up to 2028. +
European Patent Office (EPO) has published a quality dashboard
The dashboard presents key performance indicators (KPIs) in quality and aims to enhance transparency by providing quarterly updates on quality and user satisfaction +
Wine labelling: creativity from constraint(s)
…or how to make the most of the latest mandatory statements to clarify the image of your wine and ensure its protection. +
Grandfather clause for European patent attorneys
A European Patent Attorney may represent a party before the UPC provided he has the appropriate qualifications. These qualifications are defined by the “Rules on the European Patent Litigation Certificate +
Stay of proceedings in case of parallel proceedings before the UPC and the EPO
In an order dated 8 January 2024, the Paris Central Division interpreted for the first time article 33 (10) of the Agreement concerning the stay of proceedings in the event +
Acceleration of opposition proceedings in cases of parallel court actions
The EPO will accelerate the processing of oppositions if it is informed of parallel infringement or revocation proceedings before the Unified Patent Court or a national court or competent authority +
Trademark protection for the Lego® toy figures: child’s play?
On 6 December 2023, the General Court of the European Union dismissed two invalidity actions brought by BB Services GmbH against two three-dimensional trademarks relating to toy figures, on the +
Involvement of technical judges from the stage of the provisional measures
Procedural order, 25 January 2024 – Düsseldorf Local Division – UPC_CFI_452/2023 +
Notice from the EPO concerning Fee Changes effective on 1 April 2024
The EPO has published a simplified fee system newly introducing reduced fees for micro-entities. +
Protection of reputed trademarks
Cour de Cassation, Commercial Chamber, 31 January 2024 – Decision No. 22-20.293 +
IP5 Statistics Report 2022
Recently, the annual IP5 Statistics Report of the world’s five largest IP offices (IP5) was issued. +
Review of French and EU case law relating to pharmaceutical trademarks and designs 2023
Lavoix presents a review of pharmaceutical trademark and design decisions handed down by French and European Union courts. +
Form informing applicants about entry of PCT in EP phase discontinued
The EPO has announced that the notice from the EPO informing about the entry into the European phase before the EPO is discontinued. +
New edition of the IP Barometer
Created more than 10 years ago to gain a better understanding of developments in intellectual property, the IP Barometer also enables us to develop our services to better meet our +
Formal entitlement to priority : decision issued by Enlarged Board of Appeal of the EPO
The Enlarged Board of Appeal issued a decision on the consolidated referrals G 1/22 and G 2/22, ruling that the EPO is competent to assess entitlement to priority and that +
Substantial increase of official fees in Canada and Argentina
Patent fees will increase up to 36% in Canada as from January 1st, 2024. +
End of the 10-day postal fiction at the EPO
A new fiction for notification and time limit calculation will enter into force on November 1st, 2023. +
Tolerating is risky!
Often commented on, the FREE v. FREE SBE decision (Paris Court of Appeal – Pôle 05 ch. 02, January 14, 2022 / n° 20/05019, S. A.S. FREE/S. A.S. FREE SBE) +
Conditions of validity of a clause stipulating the assignment of copyright in forthcoming creations
The Paris Court of Appeal recognizes the validity of a clause transferring copyright of an assignment clause in an employment contract. +
Referral to the Enlarged Board of Appeals – G1/23 Solar Cell
Referral to the Enlarged Board of Appeals – G1/23 Solar Cell +
Easyfinance – New module available on IP data²
easyfinance is a new module in IPdata² that enables you to independently consult and extract your accounting and financial information, along with some business-specific information. +
Trademark ownership and legal limitations: necessary use and comparative advertising
Trademark registration confers on its owner a right of ownership over this trademark for the goods or services covered by it (article L.713-1 of the French Intellectual Property Code – +
Data protection March-May 2023
This quarterly LAVOIX newsletter presents a selection of legal news in the field of personal data protection for the period of March-May 2023. +
New Guidelines for Examination in the EPO
In March, the European Patent Office (EPO) has published a new version of the Guidelines for Examination. +
A word on plausibility and subsequent resumption of stayed proceedings
In November 2021, a Technical Board of Appeal referred to the Enlarged Board of Appeal regarding the notion of Plausibility and how it should be approached before the EPO. +