The long-awaited decision of the Grand Board of Appeal addressed a question that frequently arises in practice: can the name of a well-known author function as an EUTM for goods and services capable of carrying content? In practice, this decision clarifies the EUIPO’s approach to authors’ names (and potentially other cultural figures) where the specification covers media, publications, and cultural or educational services.

The Indian trademark system has taken a step that until recently seemed almost impossible: the Indian Trade Marks Registry has, for the first time, accepted for examination an application for a so-called “smell mark” — a trademark defined not visually, but by scent. This decision represents not only a technical innovation, but also a challenge to the fundamental principles of trademark law.

March 2026 was marked by an unprecedented situation in which the activities of the USPTO became the subject of intense political confrontation in the United States Congress. The agency’s Director, John Squires, faced sharp criticism regarding the USPTO’s role in registering trademarks for the Board of Peace initiative, associated with Donald Trump.

The Indian pharmaceutical market may soon undergo significant changes due to the expiration of the patent for semaglutide — the active ingredient behind the extremely popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic. This paves the way for local pharmaceutical companies to launch much cheaper generic versions.

In 2026, the pharmaceutical market is entering a period of significant transformation, as a number of the world’s most profitable drugs are set to lose patent protection. This wave of expiring exclusivity, often referred to in the industry as the “patent cliff,” may lead to a sharp decline in revenues for major pharmaceutical companies and a substantial redistribution of the market in favor of generic and biosimilar manufacturers.

The 19-year-old British darts player and reigning world champion Luke Littler has filed an application with the UK Intellectual Property Office to register rights to the use of his face as a trademark. In doing so, the athlete aims to protect his likeness from unauthorized use, particularly in products created using artificial intelligence that may imitate his image without permission.