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How Much Intellectual Property Is Behind the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in the summer, the whole world will be watching the action on the pitch. But it is also worth taking a look behind the scenes: few events bring together so many industrial property rights in such a concentrated space as a World Cup tournament. Even the ball rolling across the grass is a small lesson in intellectual property.

Selected IP rights show how patents, designs and trademarks interact in modern football.

How Much Intellectual Property Is Behind the 2026 FIFA World Cup? read more

AMENDMENT TO THE PROHIBITION ON DOUBLE PROTECTION

Until 31 May 2023, German law prohibited double protection (referred to as “prohibition on double protection”) for national patents and European patents. Accordingly, it was not possible to obtain protection under a national patent for an invention in respect of which a European patent with the same priority and the same scope had been granted to the same inventor with effect in the Federal Republic of Germany. The national patent became ineffective if the inventor had been granted a European patent for the same invention that could not be revoked in opposition proceedings any more.

AMENDMENT TO THE PROHIBITION ON DOUBLE PROTECTION read more

EPO - Communication via FAX

From 01 March 2023, the EPO will no longer send faxes in proceedings under the EPC and PCT. From now on, important messages will be sent via the mailbox. However, this does not currently affect the filing of applications and other documents by fax, which will continue to be possible under the conditions laid down by the President of the EPO. Source: EPO, comm. 01.02.23

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