NEWS JANUARY 2025 - DECEMBER 2025
EUROPEAN UNION
January 21, 2025
As the new year commences, there is a palpable sense of anticipation surrounding the European Design Awards (ED Awards), a pivotal event in the realm of industrial designs in Europe. Since their establishment by the EUIPO, these awards have served as a significant catalyst for promoting excellence in design, underscoring their important role in the field of Intellectual Property.
These are awards that not only celebrate creativity, but also promote the importance of the registration and protection of industrial designs, which we consider fundamental for the growth and development of Intellectual Property in Europe.
The ED Awards encompass a broad spectrum of disciplines, encompassing a total of 47 categories that are divided into various groups, including branding, packaging, typography, digital design and illustration, among others. What are, then, the European Design Awards? How does the selection and award process work?. Check out all the details by clicking on this link.
WIPO
January 20, 2025
On January 10, 2025, Uzbekistan accession as a Contracting Party to the 1999 Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement has come into force, facilitating the international protection of industrial designs in this country.
What does this accession entail?
- Interested parties will have the possibility to designate Uzbekistan in an international design application, thus facilitating the expansion of their business in Central Asia.
- With Uzbekistan, the 1999 Geneva Act now has 75 contracting parties, expanding the international protection options for designers and companies.
This accession strengthens the scope of the global system and benefits those seeking to protect their innovations in Central Asia.
Are you interested in registering an industrial design? At UNGRIA we have specialized teams that can advise you and accompany you throughout the process.
Contact us for more information.
BRAZIL
January 16, 2025
On January 15, 2025, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) presented a comprehensive manual to assist manufacturers adapt to Regulatory Instruction No. 332/2024. This regulation introduces updated health warnings and messages for tobacco-derived products packaging. Although early adoption is encouraged, full compliance will be mandatory as of November 2, 2025.
Key highlights:
- This applies to all primary and secondary packaging of tobacco products;
- Non-compliance will result in penalties under Brazilian sanitary laws;
- By November 2, 2025, non-compliant products must be removed from points of sale;
- Packaging changes for compliance can be implemented immediately, but must be submitted to ANVISA for review.
BRAZIL
January 14, 2025
We are pleased to share with you an IP guide on Brazil that summarizes the most important decisions issued by the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BRPTO) in 2024:
- BRPTO implements new rules on amendments to patent applications during the appeal stage.
- BRPTO updates its guidelines for filing patent appeals.
- BRPTO launches new platform to fight trademark counterfeiting.
- BRPTO will accept trademark applications including advertising elements.
- BRPTO updates the rules for the registration of trademarks of names of individuals or signatures thereof and images of third parties.
- BRPTO establishes new criteria for PPH requests in 2025.
- BRPTO Joined GPPH: Phase V of the PPH Pilot Project to begin in 2025.
- Brazilian Legislation regarding Compliance with Access to Genetic Heritage.
- BRPTO joined Global Patent Prosecution Highway (GPPH).
- BRPTO published a technical note on industrial design examination procedures.
- BRPTO extended the deadline suspension for filing divisional design applications.
- BRPTO reached its annual limit for PPH applications.
Do you want to learn more about the above-referenced topics? "Click on this link" to find out about the most important developments approved in the field of Intellectual Property in Brazil during 2024.
EUROPEAN UNION
January 09, 2025
Today, Thursday 9 January, 2025 we celebrate the iconic designer Carolina Herrera´s birthday, a woman whose influence in the world of fashion and fragrance is still more than relevant.
To commemorate her legacy, we would like to highlight a recent case involving her trademarks, which underlines a fundamental lesson in the field of Intellectual Property: the importance of an effective trademark protection.
On 15 November 2024, the EUIPO ruled in favor of Carolina Herrera in a case concerning the trademark 'GOOD GIRL' and another company's intention to register 'Buena Chica' as a trademark.
This real-life case highlights the importance of protecting our trademarks from confusion, even when the similarities are not obvious to the naked eye. The decision is not only a legal victory, but also a strategic one in terms of preserving the image and value of the mark.
In order to find out more about how a well-protected trademark can ensure its long-term success, as is the case with Carolina Herrera, click on the "Complete bulletin in PDF" link below.