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IP Legal Bulletin
Short notes on rule changes at patent and trade mark offices: laws, fees, procedures, deadlines and funding calls. Every note links to its official source, and past issues stay in the archive.
- Information, not legal advice
- Written with AI assistance, checked automatically against the source
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Offices followed: 14 (EPO, EUIPO, EU, UKIPO, DPMA (Germany), IGE (Switzerland), PRV (Sweden), PRH (Finland), Patentamt (Austria), IPOI (Ireland), USPTO, TIPO (Taiwan), WIPO, IPONZ (New Zealand)). · 29 coming soon
Issue of 28 September 2026
7 notes
- EPOProcedure
Patent granting process becomes fully digital from 1 April 2027
From 1 April 2027 the EPO's patent granting process becomes fully digital and paperless. Patent applications and other documents must then be filed electronically, EPO communications will be sent electronically only, and interactions with the EPO must use the applicable online services. MyEPO services cover the patent granting process as well as PCT, opposition, appeal and Unitary Patent proceedings.
Published by the source on 1 October 2026
- EPOProcedure
MyEPO features opened to all users after pilot trials
Release 1.31.0 of MyEPO, dated 2 November 2026, makes several features available to all users of MyEPO after pilot trials were completed. They cover accessing portfolios and documents, submitting procedural requests and managing user access.
Published by the source on 1 October 2026
- EPOProcedure
EPO publishes first measures for fully digital patent granting process ahead of 1 April 2027
The EPO has published the first implementing measures for its fully digital patent granting process. They come with a new user guidance webpage. The transition to the digital process is set for 1 April 2027.
Published by the source on 1 October 2026
- UKIPOLaw or regulation
Call for Evidence on cost and effectiveness of IP enforcement judicial processes
The UK IPO seeks views on the cost and effectiveness of judicial processes when protecting IP rights in the UK. The call is an informal Call for Evidence.
Published by the source on 30 September 2026
Official source: UK Intellectual Property Office, guidance and notices (GOV.UK)
- USPTOProcedure
USPTO moves to Madrid e-Filing for international trademark applications from Oct. 1
Customers filing international trademark applications must use Madrid e-Filing from Oct. 1. The office says the change gives a more streamlined filing experience.
Published by the source on 28 September 2026
- WIPOFees
Canada modifies its Hague System individual designation fees
Canada has announced changes to its individual designation fees under the Hague System. The adjusted fees apply when Canada is designated in an international design application. The changes take effect on January 1, 2027.
Published by the source on 28 September 2026
- WIPOProcedure
USPTO makes WIPO Madrid e-Filing the default for new international trademark applications
Madrid e-Filing is now the default platform for US applicants filing new international trademark applications based on US applications or registrations. It replaces the USPTO's former TEASi system. Applicants need a WIPO Account to use it. 436 applications were filed through the service since its soft launch on July 31, 2026.
Published by the source on 1 October 2026
Notes are written with the help of artificial intelligence from the offices’ official sources, and each note is checked automatically against its source before it appears. Our editors review and correct them. Every note links to its source. Information, not legal advice.
Archive
Past issues, newest first.
- Issue of 9 November 20263 notes
- Issue of 2 November 20266 notes
- Issue of 26 October 20262 notes
- Issue of 19 October 20261 note
- Issue of 12 October 20262 notes
- Issue of 14 September 20262 notes
- Issue of 7 September 20262 notes
- Issue of 31 August 20261 note
- Issue of 24 August 20264 notes
- Issue of 17 August 20262 notes
- Issue of 10 August 20264 notes
- Issue of 3 August 20261 note
- Issue of 27 July 20263 notes
- Issue of 20 July 20264 notes
- Issue of 13 July 20266 notes
- Issue of 6 July 20261 note
- Issue of 29 June 20263 notes
- Issue of 22 June 20265 notes
- Issue of 15 June 20263 notes
- Issue of 8 June 20266 notes
- Issue of 1 June 20265 notes
- Issue of 25 May 20262 notes
- Issue of 18 May 20261 note
- Issue of 11 May 20261 note
Offices coming soon
These offices are declared and will be followed as soon as their official source can be read automatically. Their notes are not in the bulletin yet.
Europe
- UPCEurope (UPC states)
- MIMIT (Italy)Italy
- OEPM (Spain)Spain
- DKPTO (Denmark)Denmark
- Patentstyret (Norway)Norway
- BOIP (Benelux)Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg
- UPRP (Poland)Poland
- IPO CZ (Czechia)Czechia
- INPI (Portugal)Portugal
- TURKPATENT (Türkiye)Türkiye
- Rospatent (Russia)Russia
Asia
- JPO (Japan)Japan
- KIPO (Korea)South Korea
- CNIPA (China)China
- CGPDTM (India)India
- IPD (Hong Kong)Hong Kong
- IP VietnamVietnam
- IPOPHL (Philippines)Philippines
- DIP (Thailand)Thailand
- DGIP (Indonesia)Indonesia
- MyIPO (Malaysia)Malaysia
- ILPO (Israel)Israel
- SAIP (Saudi Arabia)Saudi Arabia
International
- EAPOEurasia
- OAPIAfrica (member states)
- GCC Patent OfficeGulf Cooperation Council
Other
- IP AustraliaAustralia
- INPI (Brazil)Brazil
- CIPC (South Africa)South Africa
Also watched, with nothing relevant lately: INPI (France), IPOS (Singapore), ARIPO, CIPO (Canada), IMPI (Mexico).