Expert Analysis

• Guitar Shape Controversy Highlights Nuances Of IP Protection

  

  A recent German case related to Fender's efforts to secure intellectual property protection for its Stratocaster guitar design highlights a structural tension inherent in IP law — the designs that most successfully become embedded in the cultural landscape are the hardest to justify exclusive ownership of, say attorneys at Spencer West.

• AI Deals Call For Tailored Approach To Address Hidden Risks

  

  As artificial intelligence deals continue to advance, they raise complex intellectual property questions with hard-to-verify technical facts that require a different approach to due diligence, risk allocation and execution, say lawyers at Katten.

• Diverging Global AI Rules Raise IP Risks For UK Cos.

  

  Several recent updates to U.K. intellectual property law as it relates to artificial intelligence mark a sharp divergence with approaches in the European Union and U.S., highlighting why a one-size-fits-all IP strategy is not viable for U.K. businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions, say lawyers at Skadden.

• Series

  Studying Foreign Languages Makes Me A Better Lawyer

  

  Studying Italian and Japanese has shown me that learning a new language can benefit a legal career in several ways, including by demonstrating the importance of approaching problems from a fresh perspective and the value of practicing patience with colleagues and clients, says Anna King at Genworth Financial.

• 10 US Patent Pressure Points For EU Life Sciences Cos.

  

  U.S.-specific patent issues can be challenging for European life sciences companies because they require decisions at the intersection of legal, scientific, regulatory and commercial functions, necessitating proactive, cross-functional steps from EU patent counsel, says Paul Calvo at Sterne Kessler.

• Compliance Landscape Shifts As CMA Targets Fake Reviews

  

  The Competition and Markets Authority’s investigations into five companies’ alleged misleading online reviews are the first use of its administrative powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, marking a turning point in U.K. consumer protection enforcement, say lawyers at Fieldfisher.

• Australia's Computer Patent Ruling Will Aid Global Companies

  

  While courts around the world have struggled to articulate a technology-neutral test for patentability of computer-implemented inventions, a recent decision by Australia's top court offers a decisive answer, creating strategic opportunities for overseas applicants, say attorneys at Mallesons.

• What Oatly's Loss Means For Plant-Based Food Industry

  

  The U.K. Supreme Court’s recent judgment in Dairy U.K. v. Oatly demonstrates that under European Union agricultural marketing regulations courts consider fair competition to take precedence over consumer protection, and that dairy labeling challenges can succeed even where there is no realistic prospect of demonstrating consumer confusion, say lawyers at TLT.

• Winter Olympics Put The Spotlight On IP Issues

  

  This year's Winter Olympics generated a handful of intellectual property controversies that highlight the key considerations that should be kept in mind when using creative works at sporting events, says attorneys at Squire Patton.

• How EU Reforms May Affect Copyright, AI Balance

  

  The European Parliament’s recently proposed resolution calling on the European Commission to address the intersection between copyright and generative artificial intelligence will have implications for companies developing technology, whose compliance costs will soar, and rights holders, for whom great opportunities may lie ahead, says Pasquale Tammaro at BonelliErede.

• EU Foreign Subsidies Guide Brings Clarity And Questions

  

  The European Commission’s long-awaited EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation guidelines provide helpful clarifications for companies, but with many areas remaining broadly framed, uncertainty may continue to deter investments and increase the compliance burden on organizations, say lawyers at Hogan Lovells.

• USPTO Initiatives May Bolster SEP Litigation In The US

  

  The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's recent efforts to revitalize standard-essential patent litigation face hurdles in their reliance on courts and other agencies, but may help the U.S. regain its central role in global SEP litigation if successful, say attorneys at Axinn.

• How To Navigate AI M&A Risks, Compliance In Europe

  

  As the artificial intelligence industry continues to witness substantial M&A transactions in Europe, parties should be mindful of the unique challenges posed by the acquisition of intangible AI technologies, monitor the evolving regulatory landscape, and establish optimal mechanisms for risk allocation, say lawyers at Morgan Lewis.

• Judicial AI Guidance Update Shows Caution Still Prevails

  

  The judiciary’s recently updated guidance on the use of artificial intelligence warns judges and tribunal members about misinformation and white text manipulation, providing a reminder that AI tools cannot replace direct engagement with evidence and reflecting a broader concern about their application when handling confidential material, say lawyers at Hogan Lovells.

• Navigating Legal Privilege Issues When Using AI

  

  The recent explosion in artificial intelligence has led to prompts and AI outputs that may be susceptible to disclosure in proceedings, and it is important to apply familiar principles to assess whether legal privilege may apply to these interactions, say lawyers at HSF.