Lebanon Extends Key Intellectual Property Deadlines
The Lebanese Trademark Office has suspended certain intellectual property deadlines falling between March 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026, pursuant to Law No. 46, the "Law Suspending Deadlines."
Book Launch at AIPPI 2026
Congratulations to the authors of "Reputed Trade Marks and Their Protection" on the successful launch of this authoritative guide to brand protection, registration, and enforcement.
Lebanon Extends Intellectual Property Deadlines
The Lebanese Trademark Office has announced a four-month extension for select intellectual property deadlines falling between March 1, 2026 and July 31, 2026.
G 1/25 (EPO): How Far Must Claims and the Description Really Align?
The Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) has just issued its decision G 1/25 ("Hydroponics"), addressing inconsistencies between the description and the claims of a European patent application, or a European patent, and what should be done about them.
Where Does Global Innovation Take Shape?
According to the 2026 edition of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Innovation Index, the world's five leading innovation clusters are: 1. Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou 2. Tokyo-Yokohama 3. San José-San Francisco 4. Beijing 5. Seoul
Unlocking Strategic Intelligence From Patent Data With EPO PATSTAT and TIP
The European Patent Office (EPO) has taken a significant step towards making patent intelligence more widely accessible through its Technology Intelligence Platform (TIP), which now provides free access to PATSTAT, one of the world's most comprehensive patent databases.
Kuwait: New Requirements For POA When Filing a Trademark
The Kuwait Trademark Office has introduced a change to the legalization process for Powers of Attorney (POAs) submitted with foreign trademark applications. Going forward, POAs must be legalized all the way through to the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding an additional step beyond the previous embassy or consulate requirement.
UAE Opens Class 33 Trademark Protection for Alcoholic Beverages
A noteworthy development for brand owners and the beverage industry in the UAE. The UAE has officially opened Class 33 for trade mark registrations covering alcoholic beverages, marking a significant evolution in the country's intellectual property landscape.
WIPO Launches Its First Global Forum on Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence
On November 9 and 10, 2026, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) will host the inaugural Global Forum on IP and AI in Geneva, in a hybrid format allowing participation both in person and remotely.
OBWB @ CIPAC 2026
Representing OBWB's Hangzhou and Beijing offices, Tso Han-Mei and Shaoping Zhong were delighted to attend the 15th China Intellectual Property Annual Conference (CIPAC 2026).
