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30/12/2020
31/01/2020
20/01/2020
Latest news
Join the ECTA Young Professionals Group!
15/03/2024
Exciting news! We are happy to introduce the ECTA Young Professionals Group: a new hub for younger ECTA members. Led by our dynamic members, Julie De Blecker and Amelia Skelding, this group is all about fostering fresh perspectives and enhancing networking opportunities. Ready to be part of it? If you are under 38 and keen on joining, submit your candidacy by 3 May and, once accepted, you will get a direct invitation from the group leaders. Don't miss out on this chance to enrich your ECTA experience. Submit your candidacy here.
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ECTA 42nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN ANTWERP - A GLIMPSE BEHIND THE CURTAIN! INTERVIEW WITH ANETTE HENRYSSON, MODERATOR OF THE SESSION ‘LIGHT ON ANIMAL TRADE MARKS - NAVIGATING THE LEGAL JUNGLE’
14/03/2024
Only two weeks left to avail the early bird discount and save €300! Explore the ‘Many Facets of IP’ at the ECTA 42nd Annual Conference in Antwerp on 19-22 June 2024! REGISTER HERE! Among numerous rinteresting panels, our attendees will also navigate the legal jungle discussing animal trade marks in a session moderated by Anette Henrysson, from aera (Sweden). 1. Please introduce yourself and your link to ECTA. My name is Anette Henrysson, partner and Attorney-at-Law at aera, a European IP consultancy firm. For more than 25 years I have been working with intellectual property rights, in the industry and as legal counsel in private practice. I have been a member of ECTA for a couple of years where I am active as member of the Supervisory Board and the Professional Affairs and Membership Committee. 2. Please introduce the topic of your Conference session. Everybody has a relation to animals and animal signs that are often associated with certain qualities or even referred to as mythical creatures. It is, therefore, not surprising that animal brands have been popular in marketing throughout history. However, gaining and maintaining trade mark protection for animal signs can be a challenge. In this session ‘Light on Animal Trade Marks - Navigating the Legal Jungle’ we will share insights and discuss the most iconic case law considering animal trade marks in the European Union. 3. Please introduce the panel of your Conference session. I am very excited about our distinguished panel. The combination of high-level representation from the EUIPO Boards of Appeal, industry expertise and an attorney from private practice will bring immense experience and different perspectives to the topic. • Member of the 3rd (Designs) and 5th (Trade marks) Boards of Appeal and accredited mediator at the EUIPO, Sergio Rizzo; • Intellectual Property Director Trade Marks at JT International (Switzerland), Ronald van Tuijl; • Managing Partner, Attorney-at-Law and Head of Intellectual Property at Noerr Alicante IP S.L. (Spain), Member of the ECTA Law Committee, Tobias Dolde. 4. Why should Conference participants join your session, and at whom in particular will your session be directed? All IP practitioners have come across the challenge to assess similarities between trade marks, and to compare animal marks taking into account i.e. the semantic content, can be even harder. I believe that this session will therefore be of interest and is applicable to anyone who wishes to apply for trade mark protection or needs to decide on whether to take action or not, against third party use. 5. Why should IP colleagues register for the ECTA Annual Conference? In addition to the educational sessions, the ECTA Annual Conference gives you the opportunity to meet and discuss tricky IP issues with your fellow IP professionals from across the world. Altogether, this will ensure that you leave the Conference filled with inspiring take aways. I hope to meet you in Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world! **Find out more about the other educational sessions here or watch the video teaser about the academic program here!**
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AI Act approved by the European Parliament today
13/03/2024
By Delia Belciu, AI and Data Committee Chair, DB Law Office, Romania After the agreement reached unanimously with EU countries, the European Parliament has voted with a large majority today, 13 March 2024, the landmark Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) Act, which sets out rules on how AI will be regulated in the European Union with a probable influence around the world. In short, the AI Act establishes obligations for AI based on potential risks and level of impact. For example, certain AI applications such as social scoring, AI used to manipulate human behaviour, etc., will be banned in the European Union, others considered as high-risk will have to comply with strict requirements, while online deepfakes will have to be clearly labelled. The complex path of implementation of the AI Act will be opened soon. To find out more, please consult the official news here.
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ECTA 42nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN ANTWERP - A GLIMPSE BEHIND THE CURTAIN! INTERVIEW WITH LIDY-ANNE JESWIET, MODERATOR OF THE SESSION ‘DIFFERENT SHADES OF GREEN - SUSTAINABILITY IN TRADE MARKS’
08/03/2024
Join us at the ECTA 42nd Annual Conference in Antwerp on 19-22 June 2024! There is still some time to benefit from the early bird fees – Hurry up and REGISTER HERE! We have put together a great high-level educational program and are ready to delve into the ‘Many Facets of IP’ with a special focus on sustainability, in line with 2024 WIPO theme IP & the sustainable development goals. Among numerous interesting panels, we will discuss green trade marks in a dedicated session moderated by Lidy-Anne Jeswiet from Kirkpatrick SA (Belgium). 1. Introduce yourself and your link to ECTA. I am an IP Counsel, Benelux and European Trade Mark and Design Attorney, and CEO of Kirkpatrick S.A. For me, ECTA is the association where you can exchange experiences and gain a broad IP knowledge, network with people with the same IP passion from all over Europe and beyond, and be part of a large IP Family. In addition, contributing to the important role that ECTA plays as a sparring partner, a recognised reference for organisations such as the EUIPO and legislative bodies, is very existing. I am honoured to chair the session ‘Different Shades of Green - Sustainability in Trade Marks’ at this year’s ECTA Annual Conference in Antwerp on Thursday, 20 June 2024. 2. Introduce the topic of your Conference session. As the climate crisis comes to a head and there is more and more politicization of environmental and social governance, consumers look for ways to buy more sustainable and businesses to satisfy this demand. Eco-advertising, green marketing campaigns, trade marks ‘going green’, but also greenwashing and the opposite, green hushing, have become commonplace. How do the legislative bodies react? How do businesses find the balance? Can something bad (counterfeit) end up good (responsible disposal)? 3. Introduce the panel of your Conference session. The first speaker will be Peter Johannes Klein, a German attorney at Vossius. He is specialised in trade mark, design, competition, food and internet law, and has a great deal of experience in litigation. He has also successfully litigated many authoritative cases related to greenwashing and sustainability claims. Our second speaker will be John Wilks, a solicitor at DLA Piper UK LLP, who has extensive experience in a range of domestic and international intellectual property issues, advertising and marketing law, breach of confidence and data protection work. He is very much concerned about greenwashing and will give us the UK setting. The third speaker is Sara Citterio, General Counsel at the Italian well known luxury fashion house Trussardi in Milan, who is prepared to talk about her practice, sustainability policies and ways of working in the current ‘green’ trade mark landscape. Ronald Brohn, Managing Director of REACT, The Netherlands, will be our fourth speaker. Since 1991 he is the director and founder of REACT, The European Anti-Counterfeiting Network, a worldwide anti-counterfeiting network for more than 340 multinationals, involved in numerous seizures and the destruction of counterfeit goods. 4. Why should Conference participants join your session, and at whom in particular will your session be directed? This session offers relevant, current, and multifaceted discussions suitable for all professionals, particularly those interested in a sustainable (IP) world. 5. Why should IP colleagues register for the ECTA Annual Conference? The Conference offers excellent educational opportunities and a chance to connect with the IP community of the EU and beyond, whether it is making new acquaintances or reuniting with old IP friends. Plus, the ECTA Conference is always fun, and Antwerp is a fantastic city! **Find out more about the other educational sessions here or watch the teaser on the academic program here!**
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Save The Date - ECTA ®etreat in The Hague 'Moving Beyond the Frontiers of IP' in collaboration with BOIP
07/03/2024
The ECTA ®etreat is back as a full-day event, and this time we are headed to the The Hague! This year's ®etreat, themed 'Moving beyond the Frontiers of IP', is co-organised with the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP). The event will take place on 18 April 2024, from 10:00 to 17:30 - with registration starting at 9:30, and will feature two informative sessions: Morning session: IP Valuation: Why, When, How? Afternoon session: Exhaustion of IP Rights During the lunch break and networking cocktail reception following the ®etreat, participants will have a chance to connect with peers and speakers. Mark your calendars, registration will be opening soon, on a first-come, first-served basis!
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ECTA-EUIPO BILATERAL MEETING IN ALICANTE
04/03/2024
Last week, ECTA and EUIPO held their Bilateral Meeting at the EUIPO Headquarters in Alicante to discuss topics of mutual interest and importance, such as: 🔷 New competencies and responsibilities of the EUIPO, alongside its forthcoming plans for collaboration with User Associations, international cooperation and various aspects of the future Strategic Plan of the Office; 🔷 Latest development on the agri and non-agri GIs reforms; 🔷 SME programme updates; 🔷 Various abuses of the IP system, such as abuse of the EUIPO User Area credentials; 🔷 Numerous procedural issues when it comes to representation before the Office, including cancellation proceedings, re-opening of the examinations, filing of evidence, extensions of time limits, rejoinders and others; 🔷 Key recent case law and a number of other practical IP topics. ECTA was represented by Mladen Vukmir (ECTA President); Anna Ostanina (ECTA Head of Legal Affairs); Cristina Bercial (EUIPO-Link Committee Chair); Sarka Petivlasova (EUIPO-Link Committee Vice-Chair); Klaudia Blach-Morysinska (EUIPO-Link Committee Secretary); Benjamin Fontaine (Amicus Curiae Task Force Chair); Aitor Pomares (EUIPO-Link Committee Member); Isabel Cortes (EUIPO-Link Committee Member); Bartosz Krakowiak (EUIPO-Link Committee Member). We are extremely grateful to the EUIPO for the very productive meeting and for the fruitful cooperation and open dialogue we have established over the past years. We look forward to our future exchanges and cooperation when it comes to improvement of the IP landscape in Europe.
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Revised Rules of Procedure of the EUIPO Boards of Appeal entered into force today
01/03/2024
The revised Rules of Procedure of the EUIPO Boards of Appeal entered into force today, 1 March 2024. The most significant changes concern the calculation and extension of time limits (Article 3 BoA RoP), procedures for suspensions (Article 44 BoA RoP), as well as provisions concerning alternative dispute resolution (Articles 33 to 34 BoA RoP). To find out more, please read the official news here. ----- ECTA contributed actively during this revision cycle of the Guidelines and thanks its members and, in particular, the EUIPO-Link Committee, for their active involvement.
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EUROPEAN SISTER ASSOCIATIONS’ (ESA) MEETING IN AMSTERDAM
28/02/2024
Yesterday, ECTA President Mladen Vukmir and ECTA Head of Legal Affairs Anna Ostanina participated on behalf of ECTA in the European Sister Associations’ (ESA) meeting in Amsterdam, Netherlands, which brought together esteemed representatives from APRAM, BMM, CITMA, ECTA, GRUR, MARQUES, and UNION-IP. During the event, ESA members delved into pressing matters, explored joint initiatives, and engaged in thoughtful discussions about recent developments in IP legislation and practice. We extend our gratitude to all participants for their valuable contributions and exchanges! We thank BMM and UNION-IP for their flawless thorough joint organisation of this very important event. Together, we aim to forge stronger collaborations and cooperate further to contribute to the creation and improvement of a more balanced IP system for the benefit of its users.
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ECTA AWARD: Submit your Paper by 28 February 2024!
12/02/2024
All IP professionals and students are invited to submit an article or essay of importance for the development of the EU intellectual property law. For each category (professional and student) one winner will be selected, who will receive a monetary prize of €1,000 and 18 months of complimentary ECTA membership. The winners will be honoured by ECTA President at the Award ceremony during the ECTA Annual Conference in Antwerp and invited to the Gala Dinner. Furthermore, an interview with the winners will be featured in the October 2024 edition of the ECTA Bulletin, and the winning papers will be showcased on the ECTA website. The winning paper in the student category (only) will also be published in the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice by Oxford University Press. Last but not least, award winners interested in attending the ECTA Annual Conference in 2024 and/or in 2025 will receive a 50% reduction on the applicable conference rate. Consult the ECTA Award submission requirements and judging criteria and send your paper to ecta@ecta.org by 28 February 2024. Kindly indicate whether you are participating in the Professional or Student category. All submissions will be judged 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 paper in the student category is subject to the final decision of the editors of the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice. We look forward to receiving your papers!
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EARLY BIRD Registration is Open for the ECTA Annual Conference in Antwerp!
07/02/2024
Early bird registration is now open for the 42nd ECTA Annual Conference in Antwerp! REGISTER HERE! ECTA members can attend a reduced fee. If you are not a member, JOIN ECTA before registering for the Conference! Known as the city of diamonds, Antwerp offers a radiant setting for exploring the 'Many Facets of IP'. Secure your spot promptly to take advantage of the best pricing! Watch the video teaser of the Conference! The agenda is rich, covering a wide range of interests and with a focus on sustainability - a key for a better future. Check out the programme here, attendance options and prices here. Early Bird ends on 29 March! We have secured a number of rooms at various hotels close to the Flanders Meeting and Convention Centre Antwerp (FMCCA). For details on hotel options and reservation at ECTA rates and conditions, please refer to the confirmation email received upon registration, but hurry, ECTA rooms are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis! Attendees can expect great learning sessions on the latest IP trends and case law, as well as intensive networking in superb venues: welcome reception at Horta Grand Café (sponsored by: ALTIUS, DLA PIPER, ETHIKOS, GEVERS, INTEO, JANSON, KIRKPATRICK, NOVAGRAAF, WIGGIN), Belgian evening in the FMCCA gardens, and Gala Dinner at Handelsbeurs, the world's first purpose-built commodity exchange building. Antwerp's central location allows easy access for many colleagues as it is seamlessly connected by high-speed train to major cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Cologne - and is just a swift 30-minute train trip to/from Brussels International Airport. We eagerly look forward to welcoming you to Antwerp!
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Conclusions from the meeting of the Circle of European Trade Mark Judges
02/02/2024
We are pleased to inform ECTA members of the conclusions from the last meeting of the Circle of European Trade Mark Judges (CET-J), held in Prague on 28-30 September 2023. The CET-J is an independent group of 23 judges from 19 European countries, including the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Turkey, which meets every year in one of the European capitals to facilitate the exchange of insights and information on significant national rulings that are discussed at European level. The judicature of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) is examined with regard to national decisions, evaluated in terms of uniform application and any open questions arising. The collaborative work carried out by the CET-J results in the summary of the most important points of discussion - the Conclusions.
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Register for the ECTA Round Table in Alicante on Evidence before the EUIPO (29 February 2024)
01/02/2024
REGISTER for the ECTA Round Table in Alicante ‘All you wanted to know about evidence before the EUIPO: from evidence of use, acquired distinctiveness, and reputation to well-known facts’. 📍 Alicante, 29 February 2024 (16:30-19:30) onsite only! 🟢 Free of charge 🌐 In collaboration with the Commercial Law Department of the University of Alicante and the IP Master Magister Lvcentinvs The event is organised into three insightful panels: 1) What to prove 2) When to prove 3) How to prove, and distinguished speakers from the private practice, industry, EUIPO and EUIPO Boards of Appeal will share their expertise. You can consult the program here. Following the event, please stay for networking during the cocktail reception at the university. Due to limited capacity of the room, registration will close once maximum number is reached. We encourage you to secure your spot promptly!
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EUIPO introduced the new e-Filing RCD form
16/01/2024
The Office has recently introduced the new e-Filing Registered Community Design (RCD) form to file a design application. This form will run concurrently with the existing ones for a three-month transition period before replacing them. From 13 April 2024, only two forms will be available: the RCD easy filing and the new RCD advanced form. With this new form, EUIPO intends to bring various benefits, such as improving the user experience, providing a guided filing process, more flexibility with customised configurations, and the possibility to save drafts during the process. To find out more, please read the official news here. For more information on the new RCD form, you can watch this EUIPO webinar.
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ECTA Member’s Voice: The Data Act entered into force
12/01/2024
By Paolo Maria Gangi, ECTA AI & Data Committee member, Studio Legale Gangi, Italy The European Union on 27 November 2023, adopted the final text of the Data Act, which has been subsequently published in the EU Official Journal on 22 December 2023 and entered into force yesterday, 11 January 2024 (see official press release here). The Data Act is a comprehensive regulation whose main goal is to create ‘an optimal allocation of data for the benefit of society’ (Recital 2 of the Data Act). The Data Act main provisions are related to the use and sharing of data, both personal (within the meaning of the European privacy legislation, namely the GDPR) as well as non-personal data, produced by users in using ‘connected products’ and ‘related services’ which is to say IoT items. Other sections of the Data Act provide the following: 1) a legal framework for the obligation of sharing, under some specific circumstances, data with public sector bodies; 2) standard contractual terms and legal principles for data access or sharing agreements; 3) protection measures for users who want to switch from a data processing services entity to another; 4) legal rules for enhancing the interoperability, communication and transfer of datasets between different platforms and users. “The Data Act which will become applicable as of 11 September 2025, complements the Data Governance Act, applicable as of September 2023, and is intended to stimulate the data market and to provide legal clarity regarding the use of data.” stated Delia Belciu, ECTA AI & Data Committee Chair, DB Law Office, Romania ----- The views expressed are those of our members and not necessarily of ECTA as an association. The content has not been subjected to a verification process, the accuracy of the information contained in the article is responsibility of the author.
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Register for the ECTA Webinar on Trade Secrets in the EU (in Collaboration with the Bulgarian Patent Office)
12/01/2024
REGISTER for the ECTA webinar ‘Got a secret? But how can you keep it? EU Trade Secrets Directive: Implementation status and practical issues in different jurisdictions'. 📅 8 February 2024 (15:00-17:00 CET; 16:00-18:00 EET/Bulgaria time) 🟢 Free of charge 🌐 In collaboration with the Bulgarian Patent Office Our panel will delve into the intricacies of the EU Trade Secrets Directive, exploring its implementation, key issues and leading case law in specific countries: Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria. Moderator: Hans Dhondt (Janson, BE) Speakers: Maria Petkova (Bulgarian Patent Office, BG) Vasil Pavlov (Pavlov & Co, BG) Marie-Christine Seiler (Merx Pütz Rechtsanwälte, DE) Luca Giove (GR Legal, IT)
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ECTA President’s New Year Message and Plans Ahead!
10/01/2024
Dear IP colleagues, Happy 2024! First and foremost, I sincerely hope this year will bring collective peace amidst global challenges and conflicts that weigh heavily on all of us, and that a renewed sense of global community is established. May it also bring you joy, good health and prosperity, along with ample moments of cherished ECTA Family time. Reflecting on the successes of 2023, ECTA proudly stands at the forefront of the IP landscape with significant achievements. Committee membership has doubled, recognising the value of our work and the willingness of our members to play a more active role in shaping the world of IP. We have broadened the scope of the ECTA activities to patents, establishing the new ECTA Patent Committee, and embraced AI further under the umbrella of the ECTA AI & Data Committee. From the vibrant Annual Conference in Prague to the dynamic Autumn Meeting in Turin, our well-attended events created long-lasting impressions. In 2023, we actively influenced pivotal legislative IP developments, leaving our mark, among others, on the EU Design and GIs reforms. Productive face-to-face engagements with the European Commission, Council Presidencies, EUIPO, and WIPO not only reinforced our relationship with crucial stakeholders but also resulted in invaluable exchanges. Additionally, we have continued cooperating closely with our European IP sister associations and initiated a meaningful collaboration with ASIPI, broadening the ECTA regional and global presence. Anticipating an exciting 2024, we are gearing up for more noteworthy developments! Keep an eye out for the opening of the early bird registration for our 42nd ECTA Annual Conference “Many Facets of IP” in Antwerp (19-22 June 2024). Also, to help you plan ahead, mark your calendars for other upcoming ECTA events: ECTA Webinar on trade secrets in the EU 8 February 2024, Online in collaboration with the Bulgarian Patent Office ECTA Alicante Round Table on Evidence before the EUIPO 29 February 2024, Alicante, Spain in collaboration with the University of Alicante ECTA ®ETREAT 18 April 2024, The Hague, Netherlands (to be confirmed) ECTA Autumn Meeting (for Supervisory Board and Committee members only) 10-12 October 2024, Seville, Spain I also anticipate knowledge-packed editions of the ECTA Bulletin and would like to remind you that the ECTA Award competition is open until 28 February 2024. More surprises are on the horizon - young professionals and mediation enthusiasts, get ready for some exciting updates! We would be thrilled to welcome you on board this year. Now is the perfect opportunity to become a member of ECTA and enjoy the maximum benefits! Here's to a fantastic 2024! Kind regards, Mladen Vukmir ECTA President
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Important Notice: Disregard Today’s ECTA Notification Sent in Error
03/01/2024
Dear ECTA Member, Regarding the ECTA notification you received earlier this morning, please disregard it as it was sent in error by the system. We apologise for this and are currently working with our developers to identify the reasons behind this error. Thank you for your understanding. Sincerely, ECTA
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ECTA Member's Voice: Update on the EU Design Reform
03/01/2024
By Roman Brtka, ECTA Design Committee member, Bird & Bird, Germany In the ongoing design law reform process the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on 5 December 2023 to modernise Council Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 of 12 December 2001 on Community designs and Directive 98/71/EC on the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 1998 on the legal protection of designs. The design reform aims to make design protection more affordable, faster, and predictable and to address the challenges of 3D printing and digital transformation. For these very reasons, on 28 November 2022, the European Commission published a reform package of measures with two proposals to modernise the EU Design Protection System (i.e. Regulation No 6/2002 and Directive 98/71/EC). The text of the provisional agreement was published on 21 December 2023 and the main elements of the agreement are as follows: New name There will be a change in terminology: The terms Registered Community Design and Unregistered Community Design will be replaced by Registered EU Design and Unregistered EU Design. Scope of protection The definitions of “design” and “product” have been amended in order to cover the digital and 3D printing scenario. The definition of “design” includes items such as “movement, transition or any other sort of animation of those features”. A “product” might be embodied in a physical object, or it can materialise in a digital non-physical form (e.g. spatial arrangements of items like interior or exterior environment and graphic user interfaces). Further, under certain circumstances, a design might also be infringed by creating, downloading, copying and sharing or distributing to others any medium or software recording the design. Repair clause The repair clause will exclude replacement parts for a complex product which are used to restore its original appearance from design protection. The exception only applies to repair purposes and the appearance of the replacement part must be identical to the original part. Consequently, design protection will no longer be conferred to “must-match” spare parts, whose appearance depends on the appearance of the original product. The transitional period for the introduction of the “repair clause” will be eight years. Fees The fees for design protection at EU level are to be increased and they will be higher than for design protection at national level in order to reflect the larger territorial scope of EU-wide design protection. Cultural heritage Under the new laws it will be forbidden to protect cultural heritage elements of national interest (e.g. traditional costumes of a region) as private designs. The term “cultural heritage” is to be defined in line with UNESCO’s definition of “cultural heritage”. Next steps The provisional agreement reached by the Council and the EU Parliament now needs to be endorsed and formally adopted. The new law will probably enter into force in the first half of 2024. Once adopted, the EU Member States will have 36 months to adapt their local laws to the provisions of the new directive. Most adjustments to the Regulation will take effect three months after its entry into force, while some other amendments will have a longer application period of up to 18 months. To find out more, read the press release here.
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ECTA EVENTS IN 2024 - SAVE THE DATES
17/12/2023
2024 promises to be an exciting year at ECTA! To assist you in planning ahead, please make note of the following dates: - ECTA Webinar with Bulgarian Patent Office (Online) - 8 February - ECTA Alicante Round Table with University of Alicante (Alicante, ES) - 29 February - ECTA ®etreat (The Hague, NL) - 18 April (To be confirmed) - ECTA Annual Conference (Antwerp, BE) - 19-22 June - ECTA Autumn Meeting (Seville, ES) - 10-12 October Please note that additional events may be scheduled at a later stage.
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ECTA Member’s Voice: New Nice Trade Mark Classification System as of 1 January 2024
04/12/2023
By Tarik Kapić, ECTA WIPO-Link Committee, Patent and Trade Mark Attorney, BOVARD LTD, CH (Assisted by Isabelle Jouret, Trade Mark Professional, BOVARD LTD, CH) On 1 January 2024, the new Nice Trade Mark Classification system will come into force. The 45 classes of preapproved goods and services have been updated with omissions and notable additions. The changes not only seek to align the Nice classification with the evolving landscape of inventions and technological advancements but also mirror societal changes, ecological awareness and the increasing importance of mental health. Here are a select few added terms: Technological Advancements: Augmented reality from entertainment to education and the inclusion of a number of new terms for the trading of cryptocurrency are all notable additions. Societal Changes: Political correctness can be seen with the term “workmen” having been replaced with the word “worker”. The way we interact, learn and entertain is mirrored in terms such as “content moderation for internet chatrooms", “online retail services for downloadable virtual clothing” or “simulated travel services provided in virtual environments for entertainment purposes". Advances in Transportation: The Nice Classification 2024 includes terms that represent the frontier of travel, both within the Earth's atmosphere and beyond with “space transport" and "self-driving cars". Ecological Awareness: As the world grapples with environmental challenges, the Nice Classification system introduces terms such as "production of renewable green energy” or “light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs”. Unique Consumer Goods: The inclusion for example of "jewellery for pets" reflects the changing dynamics of pet ownership and the increasing demand for specialised consumer goods. For further information, please refer to Information Notice No. 35/2023. ----- The views expressed are those of our members and not necessarily of ECTA as an association. The content has not been subjected to a verification process, the accuracy of the information contained in the article is responsibility of the author.
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