IP HP (Tag interna)

Organized by the Intellectual Property Office (Núcleo de Propriedade Intelectual, NPI) of Técnico, the second IP Talks session took place on November 27th at the Alameda Campus. Aimed at students, researchers and faculty members, the initiative seeks to promote a practical understanding of key Intellectual Property topics.

Africa is rapidly emerging as a continent of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial opportunity. From technology startups in Nairobi and Lagos to renewable energy initiatives in South Africa and Morocco, investors are increasingly attracted to African markets.

Yet, one question persists: can the continent provide the legal certainty necessary for cross-border investment in IP? The answer lies in the mechanisms of IP dispute resolution, which are evolving to protect rights holders, streamline enforcement and foster investor confidence.

The stronger a trademark becomes, the more it risks sliding into generic use. Diogo Antunes examines this paradox at the heart of brand success, analyzing how Spanish and Portuguese courts address the tension between linguistic reality and legal protection, and why widespread use of ‘donut’ has not diminished the distinctiveness of the renowned Donuts marks.

The Maldives has adopted its first comprehensive trademark law, definitively replacing the informal system based on the publication of cautionary notices. Previously, trademark protection relied exclusively on publishing cautionary notices in local newspapers as public claims of ownership. Although these notices offered evidence in legal disputes, they did not constitute official registration. They were not subject to governmental examination and lacked clear procedures for opposition, renewal or dispute resolution.

Trademarks are central to commercial identity, which enables consumers to distinguish goods and services from others, while protecting the owner’s economic benefit and goodwill. In the Nigerian economy, the level of competition has increased over the years as a result of a significant increase in demand for goods and services.

The INTA Leadership Meeting once again brought together committee members from across the globe for its annual gathering, held this year from November 18 - 21 in Hollywood, Florida (USA). Over the course of the program, attendees immersed themselves in a range of skill-building experiences, from intensive bootcamps and hands-on workshops to dynamic “Leadership Lab” discussions focused on topics such as Artificial Intelligence within Intellectual Property (IP) industry, brand protection, and sustainability.

Inventa is pleased to share that our team took part in the European Patent Office’s recent kick-off event for the newly established Candidate Support Programme (CSP), held in Munich on 31 October 2025.

International IP conventions set the foundations for consistent protection worldwide, yet their real effect depends on how each State incorporates them into its legal system. This interaction between international commitments and national sovereignty often determines whether rights-holders experience certainty or conflict.

The Web Summit 2025 took place from November 10 to 13 in Lisbon, Portugal. João Batalha, Luís Caixinhas, Sara Fonseca, and Yasmin Sabra attended the event to network, exchange ideas, and explore a wide variety of innovative projects and startups, gaining valuable insights into developments across multiple industries.

In celebration of Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, The Guardian released a special edition highlighting remarkable contributions within the country.

Angela Adebayo-Agbe Davies, Regional Director at Inventa Nigeria, was recognized for her pivotal role in establishing Inventa the first international intellectual property firm in Nigeria positioning the company as a key player in the global IP space.