Many IP experts in the IP community at I3PM, the HTB-EPO initiative, IP offices and institutions in national and regional innovation systems have asked Prof. Dr. Alexander Wurzer: “Where can you be sure not to miss any important IP management content?” In fact, you have to follow a number of interesting feeds to really keep up with the global developments around IP management. To make this easier he decided to offer his own personal newsletter for IP management. Here, you can find the latest issues in the archive and also subscribe. A fresh read with all important IP Management content will be sent to the subscribers every second Thursday at 7:00 (CET), so that they can start the day informed.

The next Newsletter will cover the following topics:

Sustainability and greenwashing

Greenwashing, the practice of making misleading environmental claims, is rampant across industries. As consumers increasingly demand eco-friendly options, some companies are taking shortcuts instead of making meaningful changes.

👉️ To the LinkedIn post

Detecting software patent infringement

A challenge for (software) patent enforcement is the detection of infringement. Here, functional claims offer a solution to make detection more straightforward and patent circumvention more complex.

👉️ To the LinkedIn post by Bastian Best

Patents for functional clothing

Functional clothing is becoming increasingly smart through integrated sensors that measure various bodily functions. But patent protection remains challenging as the Prevayl Innovations Ltd v Whoop Inc case showed.

👉️ To the LinkedIn post by Rosie Burbidge

AI-generated images and copyright

In the last weeks a lot of AI art in the style of Studio Ghibli was created. Unlike most countries Japan protects in its copyright law also the art style of an artist, which may cause legal problems for such AI art.

👉️ To the LinkedIn post by Ines Duhanic

The interplay between patents and trade secrets

Often patents and trade secrets are seen as alternatives to choose from. But a holistic view on IP protection strategies for products shows, that patents, trade secrets and other protection methods are able to protect the valuable features of a product best, when used together.

👉️ To the LinkedIn post by Sebastian Goebel

New 🔗dIPlex entry: IP and the Metaverse

The concept of intellectual property (IP) rights in the metaverse is a rapidly developing field due to the metaverse’s infancy. Initial discussions centred on challenges of applying existing IP law to a virtual world, including ownership of creations, trademark infringement in virtual spaces, and copyright issues in user-generated content.

New 🔗dIPlex entry: The Role of Software Patents in Autonomous Driving

Autonomous driving is rapidly transforming the automotive industry, promising a future of safer, more efficient, and convenient transportation. At the heart of this revolution lies software, the invisible force that enables vehicles to perceive their surroundings, make decisions, and navigate roads without human intervention. As the race to develop and deploy autonomous vehicles intensifies, software patents have emerged as a crucial tool for protecting innovation, securing a competitive edge, and shaping the future of this transformative technology.

Whom to follow

Andrew White is partner at Mathys & Squire LLP and mentor to start-ups in the UK. On his LinkedIn feed he shares information about IP workshops and mentoring programs for students and entrepreneurs. He is also ambassador partner of the IP business academy.

Matt Dixon is executive chair at Beck Greener LLP and immediate past president of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys. He shares on LinkedIn news about the various activities of CIPA and provides insights into global IP trends. Additionally, he supports the IP business academy as an ambassador partner.

Integration of IP in the innovation process – Interview with Frederik Golks

On 3. and 4. April the 4. edition of the VDI/VPP seminar took place in Düsseldorf, covering industry relevant topics around the introduction and improvement of innovation processes. It served as an opportunity to connect and learn from the industry best practice. Before the event, we interviewed Frederik Golks, Global Head of Intellectual Property at STIHL, about his presentation.

Investors love moats: How to show your IP protects your business model

Investors seek companies with sustainable competitive advantages, often referred to as “moats.” A strong IP portfolio serves as a formidable moat by protecting a company’s market position and preventing competitors from replicating its offerings. The article above explains how to demonstrate this to investors.

IP strategies of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers

The number of electric vehicles built and sold is rapidly increasing globally and manufacturers from China and the US are fighting heavily for global dominance in this expanding market. This competition is also fought in the field of patents, where Chinese companies such as NIO are developing sophisticated IP strategies to support their market expansion. NIO’s strategy was analysed in detail in the MIPLM master thesis by Xiaoqing Zhang, which is summarized in this article.

IP and user-generated content

The digital world presents both opportunities and challenges for brand owners. A strong online presence is crucial for visibility, customer engagement, and brand communication. Here, user-generated content can be a valuable asset for brands, but it also presents risks. Best practice examples are GoPro and Calvin Klein, who successfully leverage UGC by defining campaign rules and filtering content to align with their brand identity.