How to protect your IP when expanding to Hungary
Expanding into Hungary without securing your intellectual property is like entering a new market without locking your front door.
While Hungary is part of the European Union and benefits from its harmonised IP system, many international businesses are caught off guard by the local nuances. From translation obligations to enforcement challenges, failing to plan your IP strategy early can lead to loss of rights, reputational damage, and unnecessary costs.
In this article, we break down the most important steps to protect your trademarks, patents, and designs when entering the Hungarian market.
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EPO-Laos Validation Agreement Takes Effect: A New Era for Patent Protection
The European Patent Office (EPO) and Laos have taken a major step toward strengthening international patent protection with the enforcement of their validation agreement on April 1, 2025. This milestone allows applicants to validate their European patents in Laos, granting them the same legal rights as patents issued by the EPO. By simplifying the patent process, this agreement fosters innovation, strengthens legal certainty, and enhances investment opportunities in Laos.
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European patent validation strategies: How to choose the right approach?
European patent validation is an important step, although not necessarily the only one. Without proper validation, a patent has no legal force in any country.
As patent holders, therefore, it must be decided where and how to enforce rights. Choosing the inappropriate strategy, however, can lead to unnecessary costs or weak protection.
This article looks at the major enforcement options and helps to identify the most effective approach to protecting innovation in Europe.
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EPO and Costa Rica Sign Historic Validation Agreement
On December 13, 2024, the European Patent Office (EPO) and Costa Rica's Ministry of Justice and Peace signed a landmark validation agreement, making Costa Rica the first country in the Americas to join the EPO's validation system.
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Romania to join Unitary Patent system on 1 September 2024
The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced that Romania will join to the Unitary Patent system on 1 September 2024. This will bring the total number of EU Member States participating in the Unitary Patent system to 18.
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The European Patent Office will increase its fees as of 1st of April, 2024
The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced an impending adjustment to its fee schedule, set to take effect on April 1st, 2024. This decision to increase fees may impact applicants and patent holders engaging with the EPO. For some of the fees the increase is up to 30%.
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Validation of European patents will be possible in Georgia
The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced that Georgia to be included in a European patent (EP) application as a Validation State.
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What if I miss a patent annuity deadline?
If you miss a patent annuity deadline, it can have significant consequences for your intellectual property rights. Patent annuities are periodic maintenance fees that must be paid to keep a patent in force. Failure to pay these fees on time can result in the abandonment of your patent, which means that your exclusive rights to the invention will be lost. However, in many countries, there are still some alternative ways to keep your patent in force.
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