News
Some of the best conversations with clients start with the same questions: what can I actually protect, where, and how? This page is where we answer them, plainly and without legal jargon.
When is basic English understood in EU trade mark disputes? What must be proven
At the MARQUES Annual Conference in Lisbon, the EUIPO Boards of Appeal shared their methodology for assessing English-language terms in EU trade mark disputes. Whether the relevant public understands a word cannot be assumed: it must be proven. We look at the four situations where English counts as understood, what CEFR levels can and cannot show, and three recent decisions that illustrate the approach.
From protection to competitiveness: a new role for IP
At the MARQUES Annual Conference in Lisbon, EUIPO Executive Director João Negrão argued that IP protection, while still essential, is no longer enough on its own. He called for businesses to manage their IP as a strategic asset that can support financing, licensing, partnerships and growth, not just registration and enforcement. We look at what this means in practice, and at the EU’s proposed Competence Centre for IP-backed finance.
Umami Law in Dresden: EU Trade Mark Opposition from Both Sides of the Bench
On 11 June, Julie Schmitt returned to Dresden University of Technology to speak in the LL.M. IP International Studies in Intellectual Property Law and Data Law programme. Together with Christian Steudtner (EUIPO), she explored EU trade mark opposition proceedings from two complementary perspectives: private practice and decision-taking inside the Office. Building on Julie's earlier lecture on...
Multilingual Lawyers, Real Connections
At Umami Law, our practice is defined by our ability to work fluently in French, German, English, and Spanish. Being able to switch between these languages isn’t just a skill—it’s a daily reality for our clients. What truly matters, though, is our understanding of business cultures across Europe. We’re not simply translating legal terminology; we’re making sure every client feels comfortable and...
Join Umami Law’s Team: Trainee Lawyer
Umami Law is growing. In line with our dedication to excellence and long-term vision, we are seeking trainee lawyers who are ready to dive deep into the nuances of IP law and grow their careers within a globally-minded and specialised firm.Position: Trainee lawyer / élève-avocat (FR) / Referendar (DE).Duration: 6 months (4 months for Referendare). Key responsibilities Collaborate closely...
EUTM
Launching a new brand? Expanding into other markets? Facing a potential trade mark conflict? Contact s What is a European Trade Mark (EUTM) ? EUTMs (or European Union trade marks) are registered with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante. A EUTM — like any other national mark— is what enables a consumer to identify goods / services as coming from one...
Designs Basics
Launching new product shapes or packaging? Worried your designs could be copied or challenged? Rolling out a signature look across markets? Contact s Where can I protect my design ? As with trade marks, a design may be protected at different territorial levels: nationally, regionally or internationally. In the European Union, design protection is available through the Registered EU Design...
