Europe: Intellectual Property

Article 50 of the EU AI Act introduces sweeping transparency obligations for AI providers and deployers, requiring disclosure of AI interactions, marking of AI-generated content, and labeling of deepfakes. These rules carry significant commercial and IP implications for businesses using AI to create marketing materials, synthetic influencers, and other valuable assets.

Significant developments in law and technology emerged in February 2026, including a new Turkish Personal Data Protection Board principle decision, proposed digital copyright regulation for online platforms, pay transparency discussions, OECD guidance on artificial intelligence, and a DSA investigation concerning TikTok. This update provides insights on these developments alongside recent judicial decisions in labour law and personal data protection.

Summer festivals create memorable experiences through music, food, and culture, but behind the excitement lies a complex portfolio of intellectual property assets. From trademark protection of festival names to copyright management of performances and merchandise licensing, these legal frameworks help organizers build lasting brands that generate value long after the final encore.

Intellectual property in the defence sector operates under a unique regulatory framework where innovation must be balanced against national security concerns. How can companies effectively protect...

Imagine an invention machine that is capable of analysing all published human scientific knowledge and then extrapolating forward. If this invention machine were then to publish its own predictions of, say, future materials, hypothetical drug compounds, or improved cell-based therapies, could this prevent future innovations from being patented?

Chemistry start-ups face critical decisions when building patent portfolios that can determine their commercial success. From timing patent applications before public disclosures...

University intellectual property commercialisation presents complex challenges around ownership, protection, and value realisation. This analysis examines how UK universities navigate the journey from academic research to market-ready ventures, exploring spinout formation, licensing strategies, and the critical role of patent protection in life sciences innovation.

EU design law has been updated from 1 July 2026, with reforms aimed at making design protection more suited to digital products and modern methods of creation and copying. The changes include dynamic representations like CAD files and animations, expanded protection for GUIs and non-physical items, and strengthened enforcement against counterfeiting and 3D printing.

For many businesses, the trade mark is one of the assets customers encounter most often. They may never know the company’s corporate structure or who owns its premises, but they will recognise its name, logo or product branding.

Intellectual property in the defence sector operates under a unique regulatory framework where innovation must be balanced against national security concerns. How can companies effectively protect...

University intellectual property commercialisation presents complex challenges around ownership, protection, and value realisation. This analysis examines how UK universities navigate the journey from academic research to market-ready ventures, exploring spinout formation, licensing strategies, and the critical role of patent protection in life sciences innovation.

Claims can contain alternatives, e.g. “…wherein the communication link is a wired link or a wireless link…”. T 1186/24, a recent decision from the European Patent Office’s Boards of Appeal, reminds us that the requirements of the European Patent Convention must be met by all alternatives within a claim.