Malta: Intellectual Property

The Court of Justice of the European Union has delivered a landmark judgment addressing whether effective geo-blocking can lawfully restrict online access to copyrighted works across territorial boundaries, and whether the mere possibility of VPN circumvention undermines such technological measures. The case examines the fundamental tension between territorial copyright protection and the borderless nature of internet access, with significant implications for digital content providers operating across multi

Maltese law creates a complex framework for determining intellectual property ownership when employees develop creative works outside standard working hours. The analysis extends beyond simple distinctions between work time and personal time, examining contractual duties, resource usage, and the relationship between creations and employer business activities. Even when employees successfully establish independent ownership, significant legal constraints may still apply where confidential information or trad

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled on whether luxury brands can use historical dates in their trademarks when those dates suggest centuries of craftsmanship and heritage that don't actually exist. This landmark decision examines how false claims about a business's age may deceive consumers about product quality, particularly when tradition and prestige are key factors in purchasing luxury goods.