Conclusions from the Annual Meeting of the Circle of European Trade Mark Judges
We are pleased to share with ECTA members the conclusions from the 2024 annual meeting of the Circle of European Trade Mark Judges (CET-J), held in Riga.
The CET-J is an independent group of 25 judges from 19 European countries that gathers annually in a European capital. These meetings serve as a platform to exchange insights and information on significant national case law, ECJ rulings, and emerging legal issues. The aim is to promote dialogue within the judiciary on key legal challenges and contribute to the development of harmonised case law across Europe.
The meeting concludes with a summary of the most important points of discussions, referred to as the ‘Conclusions’.
The CET-J is an independent group of 25 judges from 19 European countries that gathers annually in a European capital. These meetings serve as a platform to exchange insights and information on significant national case law, ECJ rulings, and emerging legal issues. The aim is to promote dialogue within the judiciary on key legal challenges and contribute to the development of harmonised case law across Europe.
The meeting concludes with a summary of the most important points of discussions, referred to as the ‘Conclusions’.
EPO and EUIPO Publish Joint Study on IPR and Firm Performance in the EU
A new joint study by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), published yesterday, analyses the economic outcomes of companies that hold IPRs compared to those that do not. The study, based on data from 119.000 firms across the EU (2013-2022), covers patents, trade marks, and designs registered with the EPO, EUIPO, as well as national and regional IP offices within the EU.
The study highlights the significant economic value of IPRs, particularly for SMEs. Key findings include:
1) Firms with IPRs generate 23,8% more revenue per employee, rising to 41% when adjusted for industry, size and location with an even greater impact observed among SMEs.
2) Businesses that own IPRs pay employees 22% higher wages.
3) Around half of large companies hold IPRs, but only 10% of SMEs do.
The full report and executive summary can be consulted here.
The study highlights the significant economic value of IPRs, particularly for SMEs. Key findings include:
1) Firms with IPRs generate 23,8% more revenue per employee, rising to 41% when adjusted for industry, size and location with an even greater impact observed among SMEs.
2) Businesses that own IPRs pay employees 22% higher wages.
3) Around half of large companies hold IPRs, but only 10% of SMEs do.
The full report and executive summary can be consulted here.
Register for the ECTA Round Table in Alicante (27 February 2025)
The ECTA Round Table in Alicante returns on 27 February 2025 (16:30-19:40), co-organised with the University of Alicante and Magister Lvcentinvs - IP Master of the University of Alicante. The event will be hosted at the University of Alicante (Salón de Conferencias, Edificio San Fernando, Calle San Fernando 40, entrance via Carrer Velarde).
**MAXIMUM CAPACITY FOR THE MAIN ROOM HAS BEEN REACHED. REGISTRATION IS NOW POSSIBLE FOR THE OVERFLOW ROOM ONLY.**
â–¶ï¸REGISTER HERE
This year’s topic is "New Times for the Protection of Designs in the EU: What Will Change with the Reform?", featuring two insightful panels:
Panel 1: EU Design Reform and its Implications
Panel 2: Latest Design Case Law
The program includes a coffee break between the panels and concludes with a cocktail reception at the same venue until 21:00. A detailed program with speakers will be shared soon.
The event is free of charge. As space is limited, please reserve your spot only if you plan to attend. Please note that once all seats in the main room will be occupied, participants may be placed in the overflow room.
**MAXIMUM CAPACITY FOR THE MAIN ROOM HAS BEEN REACHED. REGISTRATION IS NOW POSSIBLE FOR THE OVERFLOW ROOM ONLY.**
â–¶ï¸REGISTER HERE
This year’s topic is "New Times for the Protection of Designs in the EU: What Will Change with the Reform?", featuring two insightful panels:
Panel 1: EU Design Reform and its Implications
Panel 2: Latest Design Case Law
The program includes a coffee break between the panels and concludes with a cocktail reception at the same venue until 21:00. A detailed program with speakers will be shared soon.
The event is free of charge. As space is limited, please reserve your spot only if you plan to attend. Please note that once all seats in the main room will be occupied, participants may be placed in the overflow room.
ECTA 2025: Save the Dates!
We have an exciting year ahead with numerous events and initiatives planned for a great ECTA 2025. Be sure to mark your calendars:
🔹 ECTA Round Table (in collaboration with the University of Alicante and Magister Lvcentinvs) “New Times for the Protection of Designs in the EU: What Will Change with the Reform?â€
27 February 2025, Alicante, Spain
Register here
🔹 ECTA & APRAM (Association des praticiens du droit des marques et modèles) Joint Event
3 April 2025, Paris, France
🔹 43rd ECTA Annual Conference “Bears on the Looseâ€
18-21 June 2025, Berlin, Germany
Early Bird registration opens soon in January - stay tuned!
🔹 ECTA Autumn Meeting (for Supervisory Board and Committee members)
30 October - 1 November 2025, Lyon, France
Other key updates:
🔸 General Committee Elections open on 20 January 2025 - a great opportunity to apply for an ECTA Committee and maximise your involvement within ECTA. If you are not yet an ECTA member, make sure to apply for membership. If you are a member, don't forget to renew your membership for 2025 on time!
🔸 The ECTA Award competition is open for IP professionals and students. Submit your paper by 15 February 2025. More information on prizes and submission requirements here.
🔸 The ECTA Bulletin will continue providing us with IP updates, case law and insights in March, June, and October 2025.
More events, webinars and initiatives will be announced during the year, don’t miss our updates!
🔹 ECTA Round Table (in collaboration with the University of Alicante and Magister Lvcentinvs) “New Times for the Protection of Designs in the EU: What Will Change with the Reform?â€
27 February 2025, Alicante, Spain
Register here
🔹 ECTA & APRAM (Association des praticiens du droit des marques et modèles) Joint Event
3 April 2025, Paris, France
🔹 43rd ECTA Annual Conference “Bears on the Looseâ€
18-21 June 2025, Berlin, Germany
Early Bird registration opens soon in January - stay tuned!
🔹 ECTA Autumn Meeting (for Supervisory Board and Committee members)
30 October - 1 November 2025, Lyon, France
Other key updates:
🔸 General Committee Elections open on 20 January 2025 - a great opportunity to apply for an ECTA Committee and maximise your involvement within ECTA. If you are not yet an ECTA member, make sure to apply for membership. If you are a member, don't forget to renew your membership for 2025 on time!
🔸 The ECTA Award competition is open for IP professionals and students. Submit your paper by 15 February 2025. More information on prizes and submission requirements here.
🔸 The ECTA Bulletin will continue providing us with IP updates, case law and insights in March, June, and October 2025.
More events, webinars and initiatives will be announced during the year, don’t miss our updates!
ECTA Files its second Amicus Curiae Brief
We are pleased to inform our members that ECTA has filed its second Amicus Curiae Brief in the case WEERGAVE VAN HET GEZICHT VAN EEN PERSOON (fig.), R 50/2024-G, pending before the Grand Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (GBoA EUIPO).
The case regards whether a photographic image of a person’s face can serve as a distinctive and non-descriptive trade mark under EU law, in light of the perceived contrast between the Office’s approach and that of the Board of Appeals’, since the Office appears to systematically refuse registration of trade marks containing the face of a person, while in recent years, the Board of Appeal has ruled, by various decisions, that EU trade mark applications containing or consisting in a person’s face are not inherently devoid of distinctive character.
We wish to extend our gratitude to the ECTA Amicus Curiae Task Force and to the volunteers of the Law Committee who co-wrote the brief, for their dedicated efforts in compiling the recommendations for the Grand Board.
The case regards whether a photographic image of a person’s face can serve as a distinctive and non-descriptive trade mark under EU law, in light of the perceived contrast between the Office’s approach and that of the Board of Appeals’, since the Office appears to systematically refuse registration of trade marks containing the face of a person, while in recent years, the Board of Appeal has ruled, by various decisions, that EU trade mark applications containing or consisting in a person’s face are not inherently devoid of distinctive character.
We wish to extend our gratitude to the ECTA Amicus Curiae Task Force and to the volunteers of the Law Committee who co-wrote the brief, for their dedicated efforts in compiling the recommendations for the Grand Board.
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