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The next newsletter will cover the following topics:

Rising IP awareness in China

The 52nd HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair in January 2026 illustrates how intellectual property is becoming an explicit theme at major trade fairs in China. The event introduces the “Pop & Play” pavilion, showcasing around 150 character-driven IPs, particularly in toys and collectibles. A seminar on the growth of the IP economy complements the product exhibitions. Together, these elements show that IP is increasingly presented as a commercial and strategic asset, not merely a legal background issue.

Patent wars over streaming-capable devices

The settlement between Nokia and Hisense shows that while the competitive battles between streaming platforms have largely subsided, patent conflicts around streaming-enabled devices continue. The dispute concerned video coding patents used in smart TVs, with Nokia asserting its patent portfolio against Hisense across several jurisdictions. The conflict was resolved through a licence agreement, leading to the end of the ongoing litigation. This case illustrates that the technological foundations enabling streaming, such as video compression and coding standards, continue to be a focal point of patent enforcement.

Global sports brand enforcement

As the anticipation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup grows, global sports brands are intensifying the enforcement of their brand portfolios prior to one of the world’s most economically relevant sports tournaments. Sponsors and rights-holders are integrating anti-counterfeiting and trademark protection into early event preparation rather than waiting until unauthorised use surges. Adidas, for example, started pre-tournament enforcement against infringing e-commerce platforms ahead of expected demand spikes to safeguard distribution channels. Brands are treating brand enforcement as a strategic component of event planning to safeguard official merchandise and maintain the integrity of sponsorship agreements during the tournament period.

Malicious trademark squatting: 2026 report by CNIPA

China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released an excerpt of its 2026 Directors’ Conference work report on January 7, 2026, outlining key objectives for intellectual property governance in the year ahead. Among those tasks is an explicit commitment to boost efforts against malicious trademark squatting. CNIPA intends to improve the handling of regional trademark registration and deal more quickly with trademarks that are malicious. These measures form part of broader initiative to further improve the legal and administrative framework for IP protection in China.

Resource Hub: The Email Course Business Development

The Email Course “Business Development for IP Experts” shows IP professionals how to turn expertise into mandates through clear positioning, trust-based communication and practical, low effort actions. It explains business development in an IP-specific way, without sales pressure or generic marketing tactics.

The human side of authority: balancing confidence, vulnerability, and authenticity as an expert

The article explains that authority in IP and other expert fields is shifting from pure knowledge toward how expertise is experienced. While technical excellence remains essential, clients increasingly value orientation, judgment, and trust — especially in areas shaped by uncertainty and rapid change, such as AI-related IP. True authority is not dominance or constant certainty, but the ability to frame complexity, acknowledge uncertainty, and guide decisions responsibly. Confidence paired with professional vulnerability strengthens credibility rather than weakening it. In meetings, panels, and consulting work, experts who offer clear framing instead of exhaustive detail become trusted reference points. In the age of AI, human judgment, authenticity, and reliability differentiate experts from automated expertise.

EPO – I3PM – CEIPI IP Business Academy IP Strategy Bootcamp: Turning “IP” into a Board-Level Capability

The article presents the EPO – I3PM – CEIPI IP Business Academy IP Strategy Bootcamp, an online programme designed to help IP professionals turn intellectual property into a board-level capability. It comprises three live sessions in February and March 2026, combining analytical frameworks with the psychology of decision-making to address real challenges in organisations, such as pitching IP strategy to the C-suite. The main speakers are Benjamin Delsol covering the fundamentals and Maria Boicova-Wynants addressing the human side of IP decision-making. Participants engage in applied work, including individual case analyses and group assignments, and can earn an EPO certificate upon completing both assignments. The bootcamp emphasises collaboration across management, R&D, and IP/legal functions to elevate IP strategy beyond protection into a strategic business tool.

Authenticity in Digital IP Business Development: Bringing the Human Factor Back into Visibility

Digital business development is now unavoidable for IP professionals, but many still equate “digital” with polished yet detached self-promotion. The article argues for authentic digital visibility that connects real-world trust earned offline (meetings, referrals, speaking) with sustained online presence. Clients increasingly assess expertise through digital signals that feel human, clear, and consistent. The upcoming Expert Exchange hosted by Diana Taubert, managing partner at ETL IP, in Berlin will explore how to communicate authenticity without performance, frame business development as value-adding rather than marketing, link digital touchpoints to real interactions, and build sustainable workflows that make expertise both visible and credible online.

Mastering Global Markets

The podcast episode explains that successful international market entry depends on integrating IP strategy from the very beginning, not treating it as a secondary legal task. Different legal systems, enforcement practices, and cultural norms strongly influence how patents, trademarks, and other IP rights function across jurisdictions. Companies that overlook these differences risk losing exclusivity, encountering trademark conflicts, or facing weak enforcement once they expand abroad. The episode outlines common IP pitfalls in international expansion and shows how early, structured IP decisions can support sustainable growth. IP is presented as a strategic tool that shapes market access, risk management, and long-term competitiveness across jurisdictions.

How Sumitomo Turned the Dunlop Brand into a Global IP Power Asset

Sumitomo transformed the Dunlop brand from a historic tire name into a strategic IP asset by acquiring and consolidating trademark rights globally. Originally tied to performance and motorsport heritage, Dunlop’s trademarks now provide market access, consumer trust, and pricing power in mature markets. Sumitomo’s stepwise trademark acquisition illustrates how technology brands can unlock competitive advantages beyond patents alone.