Intellectual Property Law and Copyright Laws

Trade secrets represent a powerful yet often overlooked form of intellectual property protection that can provide indefinite competitive advantage without formal registration. Understanding what qualifies as a trade secret, how to effectively protect confidential business information, and when to choose trade secret protection over patents requires careful strategic consideration and robust internal management systems.

German utility models offer a unique pathway to intellectual property protection, providing registration within weeks rather than the years typically required for patent approval. This expedited process presents strategic advantages for innovators seeking rapid market protection in Germany's robust IP framework.

Regional coding and access restriction systems have evolved from DVDs to modern AI platforms, combining technology with copyright law to control territorial access to content. As China's MiniMax restricts its H3 video AI model in Western markets due to copyright litigation and regulatory uncertainty, a new era of AI geoblocking emerges that mirrors decades-old practices in entertainment media.

The Court of Appeal has clarified the meaning of "public domain" in non-disclosure agreements, holding that professionally drafted NDAs use this term in its established legal sense to mean information generally accessible to the public. The decision provides crucial guidance on how courts will interpret confidentiality exceptions and what level of disclosure actually strips information of its protected status.

Trade secrets represent a powerful yet often overlooked form of intellectual property protection that can provide indefinite competitive advantage without formal registration. Understanding what qualifies as a trade secret, how to effectively protect confidential business information, and when to choose trade secret protection over patents requires careful strategic consideration and robust internal management systems.

The Court of Appeal has upheld a High Court finding of breach of confidence and misuse of trade secrets in Illiquidx Ltd v Altana Wealth & Ors [2026] EWCA Civ 874. In doing so it rejected the arguments that information loses protection because some of its constituent elements were already publicly available.

Beginning 1 September 2026, new domain name registration rules enter into force. Domain name owners will be required to complete a verification procedure via Russia’s official government services portal (Gosuslugi) for registering, renewing, purchasing, selling, and deleting domain names. Foreign companies and individuals may face significant difficulties accessing Gosuslugi and, consequently, risk losing their domain names.

A detailed examination of a landmark IPEC case involving luxury fashion brands LVMH, Fendi, Loewe, Christian Dior, and Celine against social media influencer Georgia Aldridge for promoting counterfeit products. The discussion explores how courts assess damages when influencers knowingly sell non-genuine branded fashion items and what this means for both brand protection and influencer liability in the digital marketplace.

Businesses face growing challenges in protecting their digital assets as content, databases, and brand identifiers become increasingly vulnerable to unauthorized use online. Understanding which intellectual property assets belong to your company and how to formalize rights to them is essential before disputes arise. This comprehensive guide examines the legal mechanisms available to safeguard copyrighted materials, confidential information, and company designations in the digital environment.

European patent filing data reveals dramatic growth in three chemistry sectors over the past decade, with materials and metallurgy filings surging nearly 40%, surface technology and coatings rising 35%...

Generative AI is transforming antibody patent prosecution at the European Patent Office, where a single word—'routine'—now determines both enablement and obviousness.

JCB's hydrogen-powered Hydromax has shattered the land speed record for zero-emission vehicles, reaching over 406 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats with Wing Commander Andy Green at the helm.