IP news & updates from our global team!

July Insights

AI Use at the USPTO

Artificial intelligence (AI) pervades many industries. As such, it is no surprise that under U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) director John A. Squires’ direction, AI continues to pervade the USPTO to assist in pre-examination and examination processes of patent applications.

Did I Write That?

Enanta and the Written Description Requirement

The recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Pfizer Inc., demonstrates the importance of fully complying with the written description requirement for patent applications and correctly capturing each aspect of an invention in an initial disclosure. A patent application lacking critical details of an invention may suffer a variety of consequences including loss of priority date and, consequently, invalidation of the granted patent in litigation.

日本語 ▪ 简体中文 ▪ 繁體中文

SEP: New EPO Observatory Study Provides Greater Clarity on

Determination of FRAND Licensing Rates

Photo Credit: Anastassia Anufrieva

During the Euractiv event held on June 24, 2026, key findings on the study“Methodologies for FRAND determination: evidence from global case law” were discussed. The study is a result of a survey of court cases around the world involving the determination and assessment of Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) terms and conditions for the licensing of standard essential patents (SEPs). The survey was conducted by the EPO Observatory, a department of the EPO that analyzes market data in relation to patents, in collaboration with the consulting firm BRELA.

简体中文 ▪ 繁體中文

GLOBAL IP UPDATES

Bahrain Joins the Locarno Agreement

Bahrain has approved its accession to the Locarno Agreement through Law No. 21 of 2026. The treaty provides a globally recognized classification system for industrial designs.

Key Changes to French IP Procedures in 2026

A decree published on July 2, 2026, introduces a range of measures aimed at simplifying and modernizing industrial property procedures in France.

Algeria Adopts the Hague Apostille Convention

Algeria has officially acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention (the 1961 Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents).

EPO-CNIPA to Launch New PPH Pilot

On August 1, 2026, the European Patent Office (EPO) and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) launched a new bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot programme.

Saudi Arabia to Join the Madrid Protocol on October 8, 2026

Effective October 8, 2026, brand owners will be able to extend trademark protection to Saudi Arabia through the Madrid System, while Saudi-based businesses will gain streamlined access to international trademark protection across a broad network of member jurisdictions.

European Inventor Award 2026

The European Patent Office (EPO) honored inventors whose innovations are transforming key sectors —including food chemistry, energy, biotechnology, and eco-technologies — at a ceremony in Berlin.

WELCOME

Please join us in welcoming Gideon Eckhouse as Of Counsel to OBWB’s Trademark Department.

With over 20 years of experience across outside counsel, in-house, and start-up roles — including serving as Chief IP Counsel for Vital Pharmaceuticals and founding legal counsel for an AI startup — Gideon brings a rare blend of legal precision and scientific insight to trademark prosecution, brand enforcement, and complex IP strategy. Welcome to the team, Gideon!

RAISE SUMMIT 2026

In collaboration with Yorkseed House, OBWB's Paris office was delighted to host a series of networking events during the RAISE Summit. Our opening reception brought together founders, investors, executives, and leaders from across Europe, North America, and Asia for an evening of great conversations and new connections.

WOMEN IN LAW

OBWB was pleased to support the 2026 Annual Meeting of the IP & Legal Ladies Club (ILLC) in Hangzhou, which brought together female professionals across intellectual property and legal sectors to exchange insights and discuss emerging trends. During this event, OBWB partner Han-Mei Tso was elected Vice Chair of ILLC.

OBWB remains committed to supporting initiatives that empower women in intellectual property, helping to promote a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative IP community.