Category: Intellectual Property
WIPO World Intellectual Property Indicators 2021: the pandemic did not stop intellectual property
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has published its 2021 Indicators Report (WIPI Report 2021). In this article we will look at the main aspects of the document, which provides a detailed analysis of global trends in relation to filing, registration, validity and other aspects of intellectual property around the globe, as we did with […]
Reviews, professional reviewers and bot farms: new obligations for online businesses
New rules on online reviews of products will be coming into force on May 28. Digital businesses will have to bear in mind new requirements in relation to users’ assessments of their products and take steps to improve the truth and authenticity of their comments. The majority of the amendments of the General Consumer and […]
Russia takes over Champagne and Cognac: Has intellectual property become a geopolitical battlefield?
New Russian legislation on geographical indications forces importers of Champagne to relabel their products as “sparkling wine”. Few people are aware that the growing confrontation between Russia and the West actually started in connection with intellectual property back in July 2021. It was on that date that two amendments were made to the Federal Law […]
Compliment or intrusion: Can my image be used (as an accessory) in a news item or documentary?
At a time when videos and images are everywhere, we reflect on the so-called “images as accessories”: shots of anonymous individuals that are used to illustrate news articles or to put together documentaries and non-fiction programs. The consent of the person shown is not required to use these images (often taken from archives) when such […]
Portugal strengthens copyright protection on the Internet
The tension between freedom of expression and copyright protection has lately been one of the hottest topics in EU and Portuguese copyright laws. Nobody questions the fact that IP laws need to be enforced on the internet. However, at times, excessive intervention can have a negative impact on users’ freedom of expression and information, since […]
Happy Pills vs Molagominola: The Supreme Court rules that unfair competition has not taken place
The Supreme Court has addressed a case that brings to light the restrictive application of the Unfair Competition Law in scenarios involving the potential imitation of similar products. On June 25, 2021, the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by Happy Pills, S.L against Fresh & Good, S.L (Molagominola) and FNAC, […]