Intellectual Property
Intellectual property matters can be complex and full of legal jargon. The purpose of the IP Helpdesk is to help you navigate this landscape and provide you with the tools to better understand how IP applies to your business, product or R&D activities and results. This will allow you to make informed and strategic decisions regarding your assets.
Please click on the links below to find out more about the different types of IP and IP rights. Or if you would like to get a better grasp of IP in a certain context, you can delve deeper into separate pages on: Getting Started, IP in Business, Enforcement and Infringements, IP & Thematic areas, IP in EU-funded Research Projects.
Getting started
Click here to find out more about intellectual property basics and to understand how IP could apply to your business.
IP in Business
IP is an integral part of doing business. In this section you will find out how IP applies to various aspects of a business cycle.
Infringement and Enforcement
There might come a moment that your intellectual property is infringed. If so, you’ll want to enforce your rights. Please click here to find out more about the enforcement of your IP.
IP & Thematic Areas
IP is an integral part of doing business. The fact that it is so ingrained in nearly everything in a business cycle adds a layer of complexity. In this section we unpack these linkages for you and highlight how IP is linked to a number of key trends and thematic areas.
IP in EU-funded Research Projects
A strong understanding of IP is essential at various stages of an EU-funded project: starting with a successful proposal, through smooth project implementation to sound exploitation of research results. Here you will find all you need to know about the impact of proficient IP management throughout the lifecycle of a research and innovation project.
Resources and tools
IP resource library
- Country factsheets: Europe | China | Latin America | South-East Asia | India
- IP guides: Europe | China | South-East Asia
- Case studies: Europe | China | Latin America | South-East Asia | India
- Infographics: Europe | China | Latin America | South-East Asia | India
- Videos: Europe | Latin America | South-East Asia | India
IP tools
- Diagnostics tools: China | Latin America | South-East Asia
- IP cost calculator
Managing IP regionally
IP systems, legislation and practices vary across the world. It is therefore that the IP Helpdesk provides specific information for a number of key regions: China, Europe, India, Latin America and South-east Asia. Click on the links below to find out more about the IP specificities in these regions!
Regional Helpdesks
Latest news
Unitary Patent: Official Forms to Request Transitional Measures Are Now Available
Official forms relating to the early uptake of the Unitary Patent are now available on the European Patent Office (EPO) website.
Brazil deposits its adhesion to the Hague Agreement
Brazil deposited its adhesion to the Hague Agreement protocol for the International Registration of Industrial Designs
Iceland case – Louboutin and Amazon
The Grand Board of Appeal of the EUIPO issued the “Iceland” case ruling. The CJEU ruled on Amazon's liability in the Louboutin case.
Intellectual Property in major sports events
New monthly blog post on Intellectual Property Rights in major sports events.
McCain Case - Ericsson and Apple sign a global licence deal
Case law from the General Court and a legal dispute over 5G patents.
El Salvador and Guatemala implement HDB in TMclass
The National Center of Registries from El Salvador (CNR), and the Registry of Intellectual Property of Guatemala (RPI), have both implemented the Harmonise Database of goods and services (HDB) in TMclass.
Pfizer and BioNtech countersue Moderna – Advocate General’s Opinion in case C-686/21
Pfizer and BioNtech countersue Moderna over Covid-19 vaccine. Advocate General’s Opinion in case Legea C-686/21
São Tomé and Príncipe will use HDB
As of 12 December 2022, the National Service of Intellectual Property and Quality of São Tomé and Príncipe (SENAPIQ-STP) will use and accept the list of terms from the harmonised database of goods and services (HDB) in TMclass.
Boosting Knowledge Valorisation: Join the European Union Awareness Campaign in 2023
The European Commission welcomes adoption of the Council Recommendation on the guiding principles for knowledge valorisation and invites stakeholders to joing awareness campaign in 2023.
High-growth Technology Business Conference 2022 Insights
High-growth technology business (HTB) conference, held on 21 and 22 November, gave decision-makers in technology and growth-driven enterprises, and especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), an opportunity to learn more about how intellectual property (IP) can support their business.
Upcoming events
EU - Webinar: IP in Horizon Projects (H2020/HEurope)
- Live streaming available
EU - Webinar: Technology Transfer
- Live streaming available
EU - Webinar: IP in Biotechnology
- Live streaming available
EU - Webinar: The Importance of IP for SMEs
- Live streaming available
EU - Webinar EPO Coop: Patent protection for EU funding beneficiaries - Quantum Technology
- Live streaming available