Weekly highlights

Weekly highlights

Each week, we provide a round up of key developments in IP law. This subtopic is an archive of all previous

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Latest IP News

WIPO adopts Riyadh Design Law Treaty to streamline global design protection

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced the adoption of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty by its member states. This new treaty aims to simplify and harmonise design protection procedures globally, making it easier and more affordable for designers to secure international protection for their work. Key provisions include standardising application requirements, allowing flexible design representation methods, and establishing a 12-month grace period for disclosure. The treaty also addresses the protection of traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. WIPO reports that the treaty will come into force once ratified by 15 contracting parties.

European Commission initiates review of Technology Transfer rules

The European Commission has published findings from its evaluation of Commission Regulation (EU) No 316/2014 (the Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation or TTBER) and accompanying Guidelines. The Commission has determined that while the rules have been largely effective, improvements are needed in areas such as market share thresholds, data licensing, and technology pools. The Commission will now launch an impact assessment to explore policy options for revising the rules before their expiration in April 2026. A public consultation is planned for December 2024, allowing stakeholders to provide input on potential changes to ensure the rules remain fit for purpose in the evolving technological landscape.4o

FRAND in the UPC?—not quite yet

IP analysis: Andrew Moir, partner and David Webb, England & Wales qualified registered foreign lawyer in Hong Kong, of Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, review the Unified Patent Court (UPC)’s first main action decision on a standard essential patent in Philips v Belkin.

CJC concludes comprehensive review of pre-action protocols with publication of final report (phase two)

The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has concluded its extensive review of pre-action protocols (PAPs) with the publication of its phase two report. The first phase of the final report, published in August 2023, examined the role of PAPs in the civil justice system and explored the potential for digitalising pre-action processes. The second phase was published in November 2024. In the second (and final) phase report the CJC has set out its recommendations for the reform of various existing PAPs, including those for Personal Injury, Housing, Judicial Review, Debt, Construction and Engineering, Professional Negligence and Media and Communications. The report also recommends the creation of two new PAPs, one for dealing with child abuse and one for Multi-Track Claims in the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales (with a draft included at Appendix 1).