IP Expresso

In this episode, we focus on the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, a cornerstone of international trademark law. The Cambridge Handbook of International and Comparative Trademark Law outlines how this landmark treaty, established in 1883, set fundamental standards for the protection of trademarks and industrial property across member countries. We examine the key principl...

This episode explores the historical progression and evolution of international trademark law, tracing its origins from early branding practices to modern global frameworks. Based on The Cambridge Handbook of International and Comparative Trademark Law , we examine the pivotal treaties and conventions, such as the Paris Convention, TRIPS Agreement, and Madrid System, that have shaped the landscape...

This foundational episode provides an introduction to international and comparative trademark law, based on The Cambridge Handbook of International and Comparative Trademark Law . We explore the fundamental concepts, objectives, and challenges associated with trademark law across different jurisdictions. Key topics include the role of trademarks in safeguarding brand identity, fostering consumer t...

In this episode, we explore how rapid technological advancements are reshaping media policy and regulation. Drawing from the Routledge Handbook of Media Law , this discussion focuses on the transformative effects of digital technologies, such as social media, streaming platforms, AI, and algorithm-driven content curation. We examine the challenges policymakers face in adapting existing frameworks...

This episode delves into the core concepts of media governance, examining the frameworks that shape how media systems are regulated and managed. Referencing insights from the Routledge Handbook of Media Law , we explore the roles of key stakeholders—such as regulatory bodies, governments, private entities, and civil society—in shaping the media landscape. This episode discusses governance models,...

In this episode, we explore how different countries approach media policy, focusing on comparative perspectives that highlight the varied ways media regulation shapes society. Drawing from the Routledge Handbook of Media Law , this episode examines how political, cultural, and legal frameworks influence media governance globally. By analyzing case studies from the EU, the U.S., and emerging market...

In this episode, we examine the intricate relationship between media policy, free speech, and the concept of citizenship. Guided by insights from the Routledge Handbook of Media Law , this discussion delves into how media policies shape and sometimes limit the rights to free expression and public discourse. We explore the role of media in fostering informed citizenship and democratic engagement wh...

This episode explores the structures and principles that shape media policy, focusing on the institutional frameworks that govern media operations globally, as discussed in the Routledge Handbook of Media Law . We examine how national and international bodies design policies to promote a diverse and fair media landscape, including rules around ownership, competition, and content standards. The epi...

In this opening episode, we provide an overview of media law and its evolving role in the digital age, drawing from the Routledge Handbook of Media Law . This introduction covers the scope of media law, including its foundations in protecting freedom of expression and the press, while also addressing legal restrictions and ethical considerations unique to media. We explore the balance between publ...

This episode delves into the range of civil and criminal remedies available for IP infringement within the European Union. We explore the framework of enforcement measures under Directive 2004/48/EC (the IP Enforcement Directive), which standardizes civil remedies, including injunctions, damages, recall, and destruction of infringing goods. We also examine procedural tools like evidence preservati...

This episode covers the framework of jurisdiction and applicable law in IP disputes within the EU, focusing on how courts determine where cases can be filed and which laws apply. We start by exploring key regulations, including the Brussels I Regulation Recast (Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012) governing jurisdictional matters in civil and commercial cases, and the Rome II Regulation (Regulation (EC)...

This episode delves into the synergy and friction between Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and unfair competition law in the European Union. IPRs grant creators exclusive rights over their innovations, trademarks, and designs, while EU unfair competition law seeks to prevent deceptive, harmful, or dishonest market practices that can distort fair competition. We explore the directives and regula...

In this episode, we unpack the intricate relationship between Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and competition law within the European Union. While IPRs grant exclusive rights to encourage innovation and creativity, EU competition law aims to maintain a fair and open market across Member States, leading to complex interactions between exclusivity and competition. We examine key areas where thes...

In this episode, we explore the comprehensive legal framework governing intellectual property (IP) rights in the European Union. This includes an overview of primary legislation, such as the foundational EU IP Directives and Regulations, which harmonize IP rights across Member States. Key focus areas include copyright, trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and geographical indications, each wit...

In this episode, we delve into the essentials of patent law within the European Union, exploring how patents provide inventors with exclusive rights to their inventions. We begin by examining the requirements for patentability—novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability—and discuss the types of inventions that can and cannot be patented under EU law. The episode also covers the applicati...

In this episode, we explore the EU’s system for protecting new plant varieties through the Community Plant Variety Right (CPVR). We break down the requirements for obtaining a CPVR, including distinctiveness, uniformity, stability, and novelty, and discuss the application process managed by the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO). The episode also examines the scope and duration of protection un...

This episode provides an in-depth look at the European Union’s industrial design law, exploring how EU regulations protect the visual and aesthetic aspects of products, including shape, color, texture, and ornamentation. We cover the basics of design protection under the Community Design Regulation, distinguishing between registered and unregistered Community designs, and explaining the rights gra...

In this episode, we delve into the EU's legal framework for Geographical Indications (GIs), which protect the names of products with a specific geographic origin and qualities or reputation tied to that location. We examine the main types of GIs, such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), explaining how they safeguard regional agricultural and food p...

This episode explores the European Union's trademark system, detailing how it allows businesses to protect their brands across all EU member states with a single registration. We break down the types of signs eligible for trademark protection, from logos and words to shapes and even sounds, highlighting the significance of distinctiveness in the registration process. The episode covers the benefit...

In this episode, we dive into the fundamentals of trademarks under the European Union’s trade mark system, focusing on the exclusive rights they provide to brand owners to distinguish their goods and services. We examine the European Union Trade Mark (EUTM) system, administered by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), covering the requirements for registration, such as distincti...

This episode delves into the essentials of copyright law within the EU, exploring its purpose in protecting creative works and fostering innovation. We examine the types of works eligible for copyright protection, such as literary, musical, and artistic creations, and the rights granted to creators, including reproduction, distribution, and adaptation rights. The episode also covers the duration o...

This episode provides a foundational overview of international intellectual property (IP) law, focusing on how global IP frameworks protect innovations, creativity, and brand identity across borders. We explore major international agreements and organizations—such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and treaties like the Paris and Berne Conventions—detailing their roles in setti...

In this episode, we break down the core concepts of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, exploring how these digital innovations are reshaping finance, ownership, and data security. We discuss blockchain's foundational structure as a decentralized ledger, its uses beyond cryptocurrency, and how it ensures secure, tamper-resistant transactions. We’ll also cover the rise of cryptocurrency, its...

In this introductory episode, we dive into the essential concepts of copyright and related rights within Irish law. Covering both the foundations and scope of copyright, we discuss what qualifies as protected work, the duration of protection, and the exclusive rights afforded to creators. We’ll also look into related rights, including performers' rights and broadcasting protections, highlighting h...