Latest blog articles

  • Under the Modena sun: are compound GIs at risk?

    In a recent judgment, the CJEU determined that the geographical indication Aceto Balsamico di Modena is only protected as a whole. This means that the non-geographical components ‘Aceto’ and ‘Balsamico’ are not protected individually.

  • More than words: The legal translations of Article 17 DCDSM

    Only 10 out of the 24 official EU language translations correctly transpose Article 17 of the Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market. These apparent errors mandate urgent action by the European Commission and the EU Member States.

  • The EUIPO’s approach to ‘Covid-19’ trade mark applications

    The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), just like many other IP offices in the world, has recently seen an incredible spike in Covid-19 related Trade Mark applications. This blog presents EUIPO’s approach in examining trade mark filings that relate directly or indirectly to, or in...

    law_blog corona trade mark
  • On awkward membership: dealing with awkwardness: some positive signals

    There is wide agreement that the EU has not been effective in dealing with what I would define here as values’ awkwardness, cases in which EU Member States threaten the rule of law and the other common values of the European project. The obvious reference is in this respect to Hungary and Poland...

    Protection_no suspect interrogation without a lawyer
  • The outcome of the British elections

    From an academic perspective, we need to revise our textbooks: after Cameron-Clegg (2010-2015), and after a narrow majority for Cameron in 2015, there will be no majority party in the UK nowadays. (Dutch only)

    polling_station
  • Election analysis: much to do? (part 1)

    Emmanuel Macron’s victory in the French presidential election cannot distract from the fact that many challenges remain. President Macron’s most pivotal challenge in terms of governance will arrive in June.

    Macron president
  • End of a journey

    While the world was looking towards Paris, there was another election that was taking place on Germany’s coast. Germany’s Social Democrats lose control of a pivotal state, at the worst possible time.

    Merkel_elections_Schleswig-Holstein
  • Sneak attack (part 2)

    Theresa May’s surprise call for the general election may very well change…absolutely nothing. 

    Sneak attack_Law Blogs Maastricht