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In summary proceedings before the Cologne Higher Regional Court (OLG Köln), a motion by the Consumer Advice Centre North Rhine-Westphalia against Meta, the parent company of “Facebook” and “Instagram”, to prevent the processing of publicly available user data was denied last week (23.05.2025).   In April 2025, Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (hereinafter: Meta) publicly announced…

The entry into force of the new law on April 1st, 2025 has capacitated the German federal states to establish specialized commercial courts within regional and higher regional courts. The federal state of Hesse will make use of this option in order to strengthen Frankfurt’s position as a business and judicial center by establishing specialized…

Effective August 3, 2024, Qatar became the 115th member of the Madrid Trademark System. This makes Quatar the fourth Gulf Cooperation Council country to join the Madrid Trademark System. The Madrid System is a convenient and cost-effective solution for registering and managing trademarks worldwide. With a single application and fee, you can seek protection in…

With effect of August 1, 2023 Brazil will join the Hague System, extending the geographical scope of WIPO’s international design system to 96 countries. Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America and its accession strengthens the status of the Hague System as a truly global option for securing design protection.   The Government of Brazil…

Fraudulent requests for payment in connection with trade mark applications at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office or the European Intellectual Property Office occur time and again.   However, a particularly brazen scam is currently rampant. For some days now, forged invoices have been sent by post to owners of registered trade marks, which…

The United Arab Emirates joins the Madrid System Effective December 28, 2021, the United Arab Emirates became the 109th member of the Madrid Trademark System, which now includes 125 countries. This makes them the third Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country to join the Madrid Trademark System, along with Bahrain and Oman. The Madrid System is…

On April 4, 2022, the Government of the Republic of Chile deposited its instrument to accession to the Madrid Protocol, making hte 111 member of the Madrid System. The Madrid Protocol, which now included 125 countries, will enter into force for Chile on July 4, 2022. The Madrid System is a convenient and cost-effective solution…