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The next newsletter will cover the following topics:

Indian generics producers vs western drug makers

India is one of the first countries in which the patents for the popular weight loss medications Wegovy and Ozempic expire. This opens the door for the various Indian generics manufacturers to offer generic versions of those drugs in their huge domestic market at a cheap price. The consequences could be double-edged. On the one side diabetes medication will become available to less affluent social groups, on the other side large-scale use for weight loss may lead to improper self-medication. The same can be said about the patent aspects. While granting a temporary exclusivity for drug developers is necessary to incentivise investments into innovation, an end date to this exclusivity is equally vital to enable competition.

Global music streaming boom under pressure from AI artists

The global music industry reaches new revenue records and grows especially in the streaming sector. While the biggest music markets are still the USA, Europe and East Asia, especially the Latin American market is growing in relevance. But also a new technology trend is influencing the music market: AI. The music industry is now increasingly pushing forward to develop licensing models to fairly remunerate human artists for the use of their work in the context of AI development and training. This is crucial to balance AI progress with artist’s rights.

What the hunt for Banksy’s identity tells us about trademarks

Recently, it hit the news that the person creating famous artworks under the moniker “Banksy” got identified. Banksy is mostly known for his political graffiti art, whose nature may be the reason for his chosen anonymity. Nevertheless, this anonymity also creates some IP trouble for him. While remaining anonymous he cannot rely on an artists most powerful right: copyright. Instead, he tried to make use of trademark laws, e.g. to protect the “flower bomber” artwork. The failure to actually use the trademark within five years, leading to its loss, shows the challenges of this approach.

State laws against bad-faith patent assertion in the USA

The current Micron v. Longhorn case in the USA shines a light on the developments regarding the protection of manufacturers againts bad-faith patent assertion. This type of assertion typically originates from non-practicing entities, who are by many seen as patent trolls. The challenge to prevent this behaviour lies in the complexity of creating laws, which enable the enforcement of patent rights, while blocking bad-faith actors. The aforementioned case in the US state of Idaho may serve as an example of state law, which managed to achieve this task.

Resource Hub: The Online Marketing Strategy Configurator

The Online Marketing Strategy Configurator is a digital tool designed for IP experts to develop a structured online marketing strategy. It helps define target audiences, positioning, content themes, and channels while aligning activities with the client journey. The result is a tailored roadmap that improves visibility, consistency, and measurable business development outcomes.

Architect, not firefighter: how making your thinking visible changes when clients call you

Most companies assume that registering IP means protection. In reality, rights do not prevent infringement — they only enable action. The air up case shows this clearly: despite patents and trademarks, the company lost millions to counterfeits because enforcement was not prepared at the necessary speed and scale. This reflects a broader pattern. Companies involve IP experts too late, when damage has already occurred. Experts then solve problems retrospectively instead of shaping outcomes in advance. The real leverage lies earlier. When IP experts communicate risks, decision points, and limitations proactively, they move from reactive problem-solvers to strategic advisors — getting involved before problems become irreversible.

Innovation as a Second or Third Mover: Why Patents Matter for Timing Decisions

The article challenges the idea that first movers always win. Instead, it shows how second or third movers can benefit from waiting, learning from early market developments, and entering with more refined solutions. Patents play a key role in this strategy. While first movers use them to secure early positions, later entrants rely on freedom-to-operate analysis to navigate existing patent landscapes and avoid infringement. Patent information becomes a strategic tool, revealing trends and opportunities. Ultimately, success in innovation is not just about speed, but about timing.

Trade Secrets: Why Documentation Determines Whether You Have a Case at All

This podcast episode highlights a key reality about trade secrets: they only exist if companies can prove they actively protected them. Confidential information alone is not enough. Without documented measures such as access controls, NDAs, and internal policies, courts may not recognize information as a trade secret at all. This makes documentation the central element of protection. In litigation, the decisive question is not what was taken, but whether the company can demonstrate consistent efforts to keep it secret. Trade secret protection is therefore not passive, but a management task that requires clear processes, documentation, and accountability to ensure enforceability when it matters.

Dyson Haircare: When Design Becomes the Language of Technology

Dyson shows how design can express technology directly. Their product forms communicate function, making innovation visible and understandable to users. This shifts IP strategy beyond patents toward protecting design as a carrier of technical value. When design reflects performance, it strengthens differentiation and makes innovation harder to replicate in competitive markets.