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11 January 2016Copyright

WIPR survey: What was the biggest IP development in 2015?

What was the biggest development in intellectual property law last year?

In our latest survey, we asked readers to tell us what they considered to be the most important changes in IP in 2015.

Developments in Europe concerning trademark reform and the Unified Patent Court (UPC) were noted by respondents as the most important changes.

At the close of the year, the European Patent Office announced that the unitary patent was “legally” and “technically” ready for lift off. However, UPC member states are still waiting for the ratification by the UK and Germany (as well as a number of other countries).

In May, the UPC took a major leap forward after Spain’s challenge to the legality of the agreement was struck down by the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Trademark lawyers and owners have also waited a long time for a comprehensive reform to the EU trademark system. The final changes  include a reduction of renewal fees and expanded rights for trademark owners when tackling counterfeit products in transit.

The new regulation is due to take effect in March and the new directive is to be implemented by January 2019.

On the other side of the world, 12 Pacific Rim countries concluded the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. After a number of years negotiating the deal, the parties agreed a number of measures covering patent, trademark and copyright laws.

Also, readers noted the inclusion of three new members to the Hague System for designs as a key development in 2015. The US, Japan and South Korea raised the total number of members party to the agreement to 65.

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More on this story

Patents
15 December 2015   The European Patent Office has confirmed that the unitary patent is legally and technically ready to go into effect once the final few countries have ratified the associated court agreement.
Copyright
6 November 2015   The full intellectual property chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement has been released and has generated mixed reactions.