Intellectual property law analysis

Developments in Swiss, European Union and international intellectual property law — what changed, what it means for a practice, and the primary source behind each claim.

EPO electronic filing: the 2026 rules

The EPO President's decision of 25 March 2026 (OJ EPO 2026, A19) resets which tool, which format and which signature are valid for electronic filing.

Ex parte Baurin: OTDP after Allergan

The USPTO's precedential Ex parte Baurin narrows the Allergan v MSN reading for continuations — and asks the Federal Circuit for clarification.

Settlement licences and US patent marking

The Federal Circuit's VDPP v Volkswagen decision puts licensee marking compliance in issue at the pleading stage. What US settlement agreements must now say.

TEASi to Madrid e-Filing: what changes

The USPTO is moving outbound Madrid filings from TEASi to WIPO's Madrid e-Filing. What to change before 1 October, and what the notice leaves open.

Ukraine's draft roadmap to EPC accession

Ukraine's intellectual property office consulted on a draft 2026-2027 roadmap for acceding to the European Patent Convention. It names five steps and no date.