Introduction of new IP legislation and Systems Worldwide
European GI Protection
The new European protection system for Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (CIGIs) entered into effect on December 1, 2025.
Under the new system, CIGIs can henceforth be registered and protected throughout the European Union and may display the "Protected Geographical Indication" (PGI) logo. This marks the first time that GI protection can cover non-agricultural products, allowing for a Single Market for GIs in Europe.
The new EU framework replaces the previous national systems for the protection of CIGIs. However, designations which are already recognised at the national level can be converted to European PGIs upon request to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) if submitted prior to December 2, 2026.
In order to register a PGI, an application will go through the national phase before the IP Office of the product’s country of origin, prior to entering into the European phase before the EUIPO. Applications must include a product specification outlining the name, production process and geographical area of the product.
The new system, which expands on over three decades of the existing agricultural GI system, now means that handcrafted products (including those made with the aid of manual or digital tools) can be registered as European GIs, provided that the manual contribution is a significant component of the finished product. Additionally, industrial products which are manufactured in a standardised manner (including through mass production) may also be protected.
In order to be deemed registrable as CIGIs, products must originate from a specific place, region, or country, and the quality, reputation, or other specific characteristic of the product must be essentially attributable to its geographical origin. Further, at least one of the production stages of the product must take place within the defined geographical area.
An application for CIGI protection will be reviewed and examined by the national IPO with which the application was filed, and assessed according to the national requirements. Following a positive national decision, the application enters the European phase, during which the EUIPO conducts a formal examination and publishes the application for opposition, allowing only persons originating from other Member States or third countries and justifying a legitimate interest to oppose the registration of the PGI.
Once registered at the European level, the new CIGI protection allows for the safeguarding of traditional skills that were not heavily protected under the previous system. This, in turn, helps global consumers to recognise genuine, high-quality European products more easily, strengthening both national and regional economies and encouraging entrepreneurship.
EPO Fee Support Measures
As of November 10, 2025, the European Patent Office (EPO) introduced a new Fee Assistant tool, which notifies applicants of fees that are due in the initial stages of the patent granting process, as well as which fee reductions they may be eligible for.
This new tool has been implemented by the EPO in order to provide an increased level of support to users who are new to the application process, or those from smaller businesses or organisations who may benefit from additional assistance.
The EPO also published insights into its fee support schemes, quantifying the impact that these reductions in costs have had on applicants throughout recent years.
The insights show that smaller applicants have saved a total of 23 million EUR through the EPOs fee support initiatives, with 8.4 million EUR of the total directly reduced by the targeted micro-entity scheme introduced in April 2024. This scheme offers a 30% reduction on patent granting fees to natural persons, non-profit organisations, universities, public research organisations, as well as microenterprises.
Madrid System
As of November 1, 2025, all owners and representatives of active international trademarks are required to register their individual email addresses with WIPO for each international trademark they own or administer in order to be able to request amendments to those marks.
This means that any requests for amendments in relation to international trademarks for which a valid email address is not recorded for both the owner and the legal representative will not be processed. This is applicable to amendments such as changes in ownership, limitations, and trustee management, although it does not apply to renewals requests.
The new email requirement intends to strengthen the security of international trademark protection by ensuring verified identities, enabling direct communication from WIPO, and enhancing electronic protection.
Cambodia
The Department of Intellectual Property of Cambodia has recently implemented an electronic issuance system in relation to trademark registration certificates and documentation.
In line with the new paperless system, all trademark filings and procedures must now be submitted online, with paper-based filings no longer accepted for the majority of documents.
Certain official documentation is still required to be provided in its original physical form, such as notarised original Powers of Attorney, notarised original assignment deeds, and notarised original declarations for changes or legal evidence.
The introduction of an electronic filing system in addition to the centralised online management system is set to streamline procedures for trademark registration and maintenance in Cambodia, contributing to a stronger IP system for the country.