掌握 IP 最新動態
On 3 September 2026, the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office issued its decision in G 1/25 “Hydroponics”, clarifying a long-debated question in European patent practice: when claims are amended, must the description also be adapted? The Enlarged Board held that an inconsistency between amended claims and the description or drawings must be addressed if it results in non-compliance with a requirement of the European Patent Convention (EPC) . However, the EPC does not directly and explicitly require applicants to amend the description merely to achieve formal consistency with the amended claims.
For experienced Intellectual Property (IP) professionals, a patent grant decision issued by the European Patent Office (EPO) marks the start of a compressed, high‑risk execution phase. The post‑grant window demands precise coordination across jurisdictions and choices that directly affect enforceability and portfolio value. With the Unitary Patent now established as an additional protection route, European patent validation has evolved into a more strategic decision-making process that requires balancing geographic coverage, enforcement considerations, budget constraints and long-term portfolio objectives.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a final rule on March 19, 2026, requiring foreign patent applicants and patent owners to be represented by a practitioner registered and in good standing with the Office. The rule, which comes into effect on July 20, 2026, marks a procedural shift from previous practice, which allowed both foreign and U.S. applicants to represent themselves.
Mediation offers several significant benefits to parties with Intellectual Property (IP) quarrels. It is often quicker and cheaper than litigation, is confidential, can resolve related conflicts in multiple jurisdictions and can lead to commercially focused solutions (which may not be available from the courts). When all parties engage in good faith, moderated talks can lead to a win-win situation, where old disagreements are settled and future business opportunities created.
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