For innovative companies operating in the global market, it is increasingly important to protect their inventions with appropriate patent protection in multiple countries. One of the most important tools for achieving this is the PCT international patent application, which makes it possible to initiate the patenting process in several countries through a single procedure.

In this article, we explain the essence of the PCT system and outline the main practical advantages and disadvantages of filing a PCT application.

For many businesses, a brand does not stop at national borders. Companies selling products internationally, operating online, or planning global expansion quickly face an important question: how can a trademark be protected in multiple countries?

In this article, we explain how the Madrid route works, its main advantages, and the challenges businesses should consider when planning international trademark protection.

The protection of intellectual property has undergone significant transformation in recent years. In 2026, several trends can be observed in Hungary and across the European Union that directly affect companies’ IP strategies. The rise of new technologies—particularly artificial intelligence—the increasingly digitalized economy, and regulatory developments at the EU level are creating new challenges and opportunities in the fields of industrial property protection and copyright.

In this article, we have collected the most important IP trends in Hungary for 2026 that businesses, startups, and innovation-driven companies should pay attention to.

Timing plays a crucial role in intellectual property protection. It is no coincidence that one of the cornerstones of the international IP system is the Paris Convention, which grants applicants priority rights in more than 170 countries.

To use this system effectively and safely, it is essential to understand two key concepts: the filing date and the priority date.

But what exactly does a cease and desist letter mean under EU and Hungarian law, and what should your clients do if they receive one?

Can a color alone function as a trademark? The answer is yes – but with strict conditions. In Europe and Hungary, colors may be registered as trademarks if they are distinctive enough to identify the goods or services of one company from those of others.

Some of the world’s most iconic brands have succeeded in this: Tiffany Blue, Milka Purple, and Louboutin Red are prime examples. But not every attempt has been successful, and the bar for distinctiveness is high.

But what exactly does a cease and desist letter mean under EU and Hungarian law, and what should your clients do if they receive one?

A cease and desist letter is often the first step in an intellectual property dispute. For many businesses, receiving such a letter can be stressful: it usually alleges infringement of trademarks, designs, copyrights, or patents and demands that you immediately stop using a certain mark, product, or content.

But what exactly does a cease and desist letter mean under EU and Hungarian law, and what should your clients do if they receive one?

Software patents are one of the most misunderstood areas of intellectual property law. The European Patent Convention (EPC) explicitly excludes “programs for computers as such” from patentability. Many conclude from this that software cannot be patented at all in Europe.

The truth is more nuanced. If the software provides a technical solution to a technical problem – often by interacting with or controlling hardware – it can be patented. In addition, there are other valuable layers of protection available, such as copyright and voluntary registration in Hungary.

For many businesses, obtaining a trademark registration feels like the end of the journey. In reality, it is only the beginning. A registered right has little value if infringements go unnoticed. This is where trademark watch services come into play – systematic tools that monitor official registers and alert rights holders to new, potentially conflicting applications.

For IP firms managing client portfolios in the EU and Hungary, understanding how watch services work is essential.