Qatar Announces New Innovation and IP Support Initiative
The Qatari Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at supporting innovators, inventors, and rights holders.
French Patent Filings Rise Significantly in 2025
The French Intellectual Property Office (INPI) received just over 16,800 French patent applications in 2025, representing a remarkable increase of 8.7% compared with 2024.
EPO & IEA Renew Partnership
The European Patent Office (EPO) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have renewed their partnership, continuing efforts to combine the EPO's patent intelligence with the IEA's energy data to monitor innovation trends shaping the global energy transition.
Courtesy Ceremonial Copies of eGrants
On April 18, 2023, the USPTO transitioned to electronic patent grants ("eGrants") but continued to automatically provide courtesy ceremonial copies of newly issued patents to patentees. The eGrant is the official statutory patent grant; the ceremonial copy is a commemorative item only.
PCT Patent Prosecution Highway (PCT-PPH) Pilots: IP5 PPH Pilot Program Extended to 2029
Following a joint decision by the IP5, the five largest intellectual property offices (CNIPA, EPO, JPO, MOIP (former KIPO), and USPTO), the IP5 Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program has been extended for an additional three-year period, from January 6, 2026, to January 5, 2029.
Saudi Arabia Sees Growth in Patent Applications in 2025
Saudi Arabia witnessed a significant rise in patent applications filed by both individuals and national institutions in 2025. On January 22, 2026, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), reported that individual patent filings increased sharply from 2,007 in 2024 to 3,942 in 2025, marking a 96% increase in applications.
EPO Fee Increase Takes Effect April 1, 2026
The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced official fee increases effective April 1, 2026. Most fees will rise by approximately 5%, although filing, opposition, and appeal fees remain unchanged.
Qatar and Republic of Korea Sign Agreement to Enhance Qatar's IP and Innovation Ecosystem
On December 14, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Qatar (MOCI) signed an agreement with the Ministry of Intellectual Property of the Republic of Korea and the Korea Intellectual Property Strategy Agency (KISTA). This agreement will further enhance Qatar's IP and innovation ecosystem, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (QNA).
EPO Statistics Show Increase in Unitary Patents
Since the launch of the Unitary Patent system on June 1, 2023, over 75 000 European patents with unitary effect have been registered by the EPO. Unitary Patents provide patent protection in 18 EU Member States with a single request, a single translation and a single renewal fee. Based on the average number of granted European patents per year, about one out of four European patents have been transformed in Unitary Patents. Almost one third of all requests have come from SMEs and 8% came from universities.
UAE Rolls Out Online Platform For Listing and Trading Trademarks
On November 26, 2025, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism announced the launch of the new trademark platform "TM Market Place". The Platform is a result of collaboration between the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the UAE Government Leaders Program, and it is the first of its kind in the Gulf.
