Annual Report 2018/19

Main legislative IP developments 2018/19

We are glad to present you the following annual report summarizing the main legislative developments occurred in Spain, European Union (EU) and Latin America in relation to Intellectual Property practice during 2018 and the beginning of 2019.

Last year was special for UNGRIA since we increased our international presence by opening three new own offices in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. In addition to our team in Spain and the USA, we have incorporated a group of professionals with an extensive experience in our sector and with technical and legal profiles to directly represent our clients before local institutions.

Among the many relevant changes we outline below, we would like to highlight in Spain, the amendments to the current Trademark Law, Law 17/2001, of December 7; in the EU, the entry into force of the new Guidelines for Examination published by the European Patent Office (EPO) on November 1, 2018 and the effects of BREXIT in relation to European Union Trademarks (EUTMs); lastly, in Latin America, especially in Argentina and Mexico, where important aspects of the procedure for prosecuting patents and trademarks were substantially modified. On the other hand, Brazil continues trying to adopt measures that reduce the back-log in the patent examination procedure.  read more