Latest blog articles

  • Under the Modena sun: are compound GIs at risk?

    In a recent judgment, the CJEU determined that the geographical indication Aceto Balsamico di Modena is only protected as a whole. This means that the non-geographical components ‘Aceto’ and ‘Balsamico’ are not protected individually.

  • More than words: The legal translations of Article 17 DCDSM

    Only 10 out of the 24 official EU language translations correctly transpose Article 17 of the Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market. These apparent errors mandate urgent action by the European Commission and the EU Member States.

  • The EUIPO’s approach to ‘Covid-19’ trade mark applications

    The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), just like many other IP offices in the world, has recently seen an incredible spike in Covid-19 related Trade Mark applications. This blog presents EUIPO’s approach in examining trade mark filings that relate directly or indirectly to, or in...

    law_blog corona trade mark
  • Introducing: Commissioner Designate Timmerman’s common-sense test

    In his written answers to the European Parliament as well as orally during the hearing to establish his suitability to become first Vice-President of the European Commission, Commissioner Designate Frans Timmermans promises to ensure a common-sense test for all future legislation. I offer some legal...

    timmermans
  • Juncker's State of the Union 2016

    It was even featured on Dutch television: the State of the Union by Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission on 14 September 2016... This blog is only available in Dutch. 

    Europese commissie
  • The subsidiarity test and dual legitimacy problems on the part of the EU

    We speak of a political dialogue if a National Parliament wants to exchange thoughts with the Commission, or has got objections regarding another substance. From the perspective of the legitimacy of the EU it’s a wonderful thing that National Parliaments exchange thoughts with the Commission and...

    Europa
  • European Commission Proposes European Accessibility Act

    In 2011 the European Commission announced it would propose a “European Accessibility Act” in 2012. The “Act” was to be an EU instrument which would seek to ensure a free market in products and services which were accessible to people with disabilities.

    European Commission Proposes European Accessibility Act
  • Politicians are quick to take offence

    There was great anger and protest among Dutch politicians after a nuanced interview with Juncker in NRC Handelsblad van January 9th, 2016, about the referendum on the EU-Ukraine association agreement. The general opinion was: how does Juncker have the courage to participate in the Dutch discussion...

    Juncker
  • Summer Internship Kuala Lumpur

    Some people travel to the other part of the globe during the summer holiday, some choose to stay at home and work, while others combine both by doing an internship at the other side of the world. Last Summer, Karissa Atienza, our new social media reporter and blogger, did an internship at the...

    Internship