Madrid System: Frequently Asked Questions - NB! the Email Address Requirement
We would like to use this opportunity to remind our members that among other useful tools and resources the WIPO website offers a comprehensive Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section on the Madrid System. This resource provides valuable guidance for filing and managing international trade mark applications - which you may access here.
As thousands of email addresses of applicants are still missing from the register, in particular, we wish to draw your attention to questions 25 to 36 of the FAQ, which address the requirement of providing an email address to WIPO for communications under the Madrid System, clarifying the process and helping resolve any related uncertainties.
We also inform you about a free WIPO webinar 'Everything you Wanted to Know about the Madrid System' taking place shortly today at 16:00 (Geneva time), where WIPO specialists will provide answers to your questions and share insights about the Madrid System. If you are interested please sign up here.
As thousands of email addresses of applicants are still missing from the register, in particular, we wish to draw your attention to questions 25 to 36 of the FAQ, which address the requirement of providing an email address to WIPO for communications under the Madrid System, clarifying the process and helping resolve any related uncertainties.
We also inform you about a free WIPO webinar 'Everything you Wanted to Know about the Madrid System' taking place shortly today at 16:00 (Geneva time), where WIPO specialists will provide answers to your questions and share insights about the Madrid System. If you are interested please sign up here.
ECTA-WIPO Bilateral Meeting Held Yesterday in Geneva
Yesterday, ECTA and WIPO held their annual Bilateral Meeting at the WIPO Headquarters in Geneva to discuss topics of mutual interest and importance, such as, among others:
• Key developments in the Madrid, Hague, Lisbon and PCT systems;
• Results of the two Diplomatic Conferences of 2024, including the recently adopted new Design Law Treaty;
• WIPO’s main developments and future plans, especially regarding SMEs, technological advancements, and AI-based tools;
• Mutual cooperation opportunities and a range of other practical IP topics.
ECTA was represented by Paola Ruggiero (First Vice-President), Anna Ostanina (Head of Legal Affairs), Bernard Volken (WIPO-Link Committee Chair), Valeria Conidi (WIPO-Link Committee Vice-Chair), Beatrix Breitinger (WIPO-Link Committee Secretary).
We are sincerely grateful to WIPO for their hospitality and warm welcome in Geneva, productive discussions on highly relevant topics, and look forward to continuing the fruitful cooperation we have built over the years. Our thanks also go to our WIPO-Link Committee team, whose expertise is essential for the success of this collaboration and regular exchange.
EUIPO Published ‘EU Member States’ potential for protecting craft and industrial Geographical Indications’
The EUIPO has released a new study ‘EU Member States’ Potential for Protecting Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (CIGIs)’, analysing national interest and frameworks for protecting CIGIs (e.g. textiles, porcelain, glass) within the context of the new EU regulatory framework (Regulation EU 2023/241).
Main findings:
A fragmented approach with 16 EU Member States having sui generis protection systems for CIGIs, but with difference in terms of scope, administration, registration fees, and enforcement measures.
Strong support from the private sector for CIGI protection, with a more moderate level of interest from the public sector. In particular, public authorities from 8 Member States indicated that their country could seek the opt-out under Article 19 of the CIGI Regulation.
The study provides a compilation of current titles and ongoing applications of GIs for CI products at national level that will cease to exist (132 names), as well as a list of product names potentially protectable under the new system in the 27 EU Member States (380 names).
Such findings are intended to help policymakers and stakeholders understand the national landscape and prepare for the full application of the Regulation by December 2025.
To read the executive summary, please read here. To read the full report, please read here.
Main findings:
A fragmented approach with 16 EU Member States having sui generis protection systems for CIGIs, but with difference in terms of scope, administration, registration fees, and enforcement measures.
Strong support from the private sector for CIGI protection, with a more moderate level of interest from the public sector. In particular, public authorities from 8 Member States indicated that their country could seek the opt-out under Article 19 of the CIGI Regulation.
The study provides a compilation of current titles and ongoing applications of GIs for CI products at national level that will cease to exist (132 names), as well as a list of product names potentially protectable under the new system in the 27 EU Member States (380 names).
Such findings are intended to help policymakers and stakeholders understand the national landscape and prepare for the full application of the Regulation by December 2025.
To read the executive summary, please read here. To read the full report, please read here.
EUIPO released a study on online copyright infringement in the EU
The EUIPO has just released its latest study ‘Online Copyright Infringement in the European Union: Films, Music, Publications, Software, and TV (2017–2023)’.
Key Findings:
On average, piracy remains at 10 accesses per internet user per month in 2023, though software and live sports events piracy have increased.
For the first time, data on IPTV piracy is included, showing growth and a rising stock of potential users.
Piracy decreased for publications, increased for music, and remained stable for films, software, and TV.
Socioeconomic factors remain relevant in several cases - for instance, the wealth of countries (GDP), degree of equality (Gini index), the perception of IP by citizens and the volume of the legal offer of content can explain piracy.
To read the executive summary, please click here. To read the full report, please click here.
Key Findings:
On average, piracy remains at 10 accesses per internet user per month in 2023, though software and live sports events piracy have increased.
For the first time, data on IPTV piracy is included, showing growth and a rising stock of potential users.
Piracy decreased for publications, increased for music, and remained stable for films, software, and TV.
Socioeconomic factors remain relevant in several cases - for instance, the wealth of countries (GDP), degree of equality (Gini index), the perception of IP by citizens and the volume of the legal offer of content can explain piracy.
To read the executive summary, please click here. To read the full report, please click here.
ECTA AWARD: Submit Your Paper by 15 February 2025!
ECTA invites all IP professionals and students to participate in the ECTA Award competition by submitting an article or essay of importance for the development of EU Intellectual Property Law.
We are pleased to announce our collaboration with the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice by Oxford University Press, extending this year to both the professional and student categories.
One winner will be selected from each category (professional and student) and will receive a monetary prize of €1,000 and 18 months of complimentary ECTA membership. Winners will also be honoured by ECTA President at the Award Ceremony during the ECTA 43rd Annual Conference in Berlin (20 June 2025) and invited to join us for the gala dinner.
Furthermore, an interview with the winners will be featured in the October 2025 edition of the ECTA Bulletin, and the winning papers will be showcased on the ECTA website. A one-year complimentary online subscription to the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice will be granted to winners and, if not previously published elsewhere, the winning papers will also be considered for publication in the Journal.
Please consult the ECTA Award submission requirements and judging criteria and send your paper to ecta@ecta.orgecta@ecta.org by 15 February 2025. Kindly indicate in your email whether you are participating in the Professional or Student category.
All submissions will be evaluated by the ECTA Professional Affairs and Membership Committee with the support of other Committees and under the supervision of the Board of Directors. The publication of the winning papers in the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice is subject to the final decision of its editors.
We are pleased to announce our collaboration with the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice by Oxford University Press, extending this year to both the professional and student categories.
One winner will be selected from each category (professional and student) and will receive a monetary prize of €1,000 and 18 months of complimentary ECTA membership. Winners will also be honoured by ECTA President at the Award Ceremony during the ECTA 43rd Annual Conference in Berlin (20 June 2025) and invited to join us for the gala dinner.
Furthermore, an interview with the winners will be featured in the October 2025 edition of the ECTA Bulletin, and the winning papers will be showcased on the ECTA website. A one-year complimentary online subscription to the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice will be granted to winners and, if not previously published elsewhere, the winning papers will also be considered for publication in the Journal.
Please consult the ECTA Award submission requirements and judging criteria and send your paper to ecta@ecta.orgecta@ecta.org by 15 February 2025. Kindly indicate in your email whether you are participating in the Professional or Student category.
All submissions will be evaluated by the ECTA Professional Affairs and Membership Committee with the support of other Committees and under the supervision of the Board of Directors. The publication of the winning papers in the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice is subject to the final decision of its editors.
| ECTA AISBL Rue des Colonies 18 / 24 BE - 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium VAT BE0738648961 | Telephone: + 32 2 513 52 85 Telefax: + 32 2 513 09 14 E-mail: ecta@ecta.org Web : https://ecta.org | Privacy policyCookies ...by Organica |