Generative AI has moved from isolated experimentation into everyday brand production. Businesses must now separate three questions that are frequently treated as one: who owns the resulting content, whether that content can be used without infringing third-party rights, and when its artificial origin must be...
Counterfeit goods are generally easier to stop while they remain concentrated in a container, warehouse or postal consignment than after they have entered commercial circulation. Once distributed through wholesalers, retailers and online marketplaces, the same goods may require multiple investigations and separate enforcement measures against...
Estimated reading time: 12 minutes The appearance of a successful product can become one of its most valuable commercial assets. Shape, contours, colours, surface decoration, packaging and even animated or digital features may influence purchasing decisions long after the underlying technology has ceased to be new....
Romania’s accession to the Unitary Patent system removed national validation formalities for Unitary Patents registered from 1 September 2024. It did not, however, bring the Romanian translation requirement to an end. For classic European patents, translation remains a condition of protection and may influence the...
In many Romanian brand disputes, the registered trade mark is only part of the problem. A competitor may avoid reproducing the brand name but adopt a strikingly similar label, colour scheme or product presentation. A former distributor may remove the proprietor’s trade mark while continuing...
A Romanian filing made by a local distributor does not necessarily leave the brand owner without recourse. The available response depends on the status of the filing, the nature of the commercial relationship and, above all, the evidence showing why the application was made. International brands...
Romanian law permits the validity of a registered trade mark to be challenged either before the Romanian State Office for Inventions and Trade Marks (OSIM) or directly before the Bucharest Tribunal. Although both routes are governed by the same substantive provisions, they differ materially in...
As of 1 July 2026, the modernised EU design regime is fully operational. The reform expands protection for digital designs, simplifies multiple applications and introduces important procedural changes. Businesses should now review how they file, manage and enforce their EU design rights. The EU design system...
As of 27 April 2026, businesses seeking trade mark protection in Romania face a more structured assessment of signs that describe the subject matter of goods or services and of slogans with an allegedly promotional character. The Romanian State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM)...
Most opposition decisions involving famous brands follow a familiar pattern. The earlier mark enjoys a substantial reputation, the later sign incorporates its distinctive element, and the outcome rarely comes as a surprise. This is particularly true where the earlier mark is as well-known as FANTA. The...
