In 1865, significant advances were made in various fields of knowledge and technology. Some of them went unnoticed at the time, others marked the beginning of business careers that are now global benchmarks. That same year Elzaburu was founded, in an environment where science, industry and culture were beginning to organize themselves around the protection of innovation. In this article we gather ten milestones that share a year of origin with our firm and have much to do with the formation of what we understand today as industrial and intellectual property. Mendel's laws: genetics ahead of its time. Gregor Mendel presented his studies on genetic inheritance in 1865. Although his findings were not recognized until decades later, his experiments laid the foundation for modern biotechnology, a field that now generates thousands of patents every year. They constitute a clear example of how scientific knowledge needs time to be valued and protected. Joseph Lister and surgical antisepsis That same year, British surgeon Joseph Lister began applying carbolic acid (phenol) to sterilize instruments. His technique reduced postoperative infections and transformed medicine, paving the way for the protection of health and pharmaceutical innovations. Antisepsis marked the beginning of a new era in surgery, and its application led to patentable developments in the hospital setting. Maxwell's equations: applied science James Clerk Maxwell formulated in 1865 the equations that unified electricity, magnetism and light. This theoretical advance gave rise to technologies such as radio, television, and telecommunications, all of which are protected by industrial property. Fundamental physics, in this case, became the basis for multiple industrial sectors that continue to evolve today. Alfred Nobel and nitroglycerin In Sweden, Alfred Nobel founded his first nitroglycerin factory. Two years later he would invent dynamite. His career shows how a scientific discovery can become a protected and commercially viable innovation. Furthermore, his legacy was consolidated in the field of intellectual property with the creation of the Nobel Prizes, which recognize scientific and literary excellence. The elevator and vertical architecture In 1865 the installation of elevators in office buildings began to become widespread, following the development of the safety brake by Elisha Otis. This technology transformed urban design and allowed for the vertical growth of cities. Its technical evolution has been accompanied by multiple engineering developments that have been subject to industrial protection. The railway as an engine of patents In this same year, the railway network continued to expand both in Europe and in America. In the Spanish case, connections between Madrid and cities such as Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Seville and Lisbon were being consolidated. This infrastructure, which transformed mobility and trade, relied on thousands of technical developments protected by patents: from locomotives to signaling systems and track materials. The railway is a clear example of how industrial property has been an engine of progress in strategic sectors. The origin of Nestlé Henri Nestlé developed a formula for infant feeding in 1865 that gave rise to the Nestlé company. Today, the company is a global leader in brand management, with a solid strategy for protecting corporate identity. Its evolution demonstrates how a well-registered brand can remain relevant for more than a century and a half. Alice in Wonderland Lewis Carroll published "Alice in Wonderland" that year, a work that became a classic of children's literature. Its success demonstrates the value of copyright in the dissemination and protection of creative works. Intellectual property has allowed this work to be adapted, translated, and marketed in multiple formats and territories. The transatlantic telegraph cable In 1865 the first telegraph cable between Ireland and Newfoundland was successfully installed. This technical feat revolutionized communications and led to patents in telegraphy, marking the beginning of global connectivity. The transmission of messages in real time between continents was the seed of the networks that underpin the digital economy today. The Bessemer process and modern steel The Bessemer process was consolidated in 1865, allowing the mass and efficient production of steel. This innovation was protected by patents and became the basis for large infrastructures and industrial developments. Steel facilitated the construction of bridges, trains, factories, and buildings, and remains a key material in contemporary engineering. Elzaburu: a firm born in the same environment of innovation. While these advances were developing, Elzaburu was born. Since then, we have assisted inventors, authors, and companies in protecting their creations. Sharing a year of origin with so many relevant milestones reinforces our commitment to protecting that which transforms the world. Industrial and intellectual property not only preserves the value of ideas, but also promotes their development and application.   Elisa Prieto, Head of Knowledge Management at Elzaburu

The evolution of medicinal remedies to the modern pharmaceutical industry is closely linked to the development of industrial property, the protection of inventions, and the consolidation of regulatory systems that are now essential to public health. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the concept of medicine evolved from an unscientific advertising promise to a regulated product, backed by patents, clinical evidence, and institutional oversight. “Patent Medicines”: Brands without Scientific Guarantees During the second half of the 19th century, the rapid growth of cities, job insecurity and poor hygiene created an environment conducive to the spread of epidemics. In this context, the population, eager for solutions, clung to so-called "Patent Medicines." Despite their name, these products were not pharmaceutical patents in the current sense. In reality, these were registered trademarks under which supposedly curative remedies were marketed, without undergoing any quality control or verification of effectiveness. Manufacturers protected the name and the secret of the formula through trademark registration, which allowed them to operate indefinitely as long as they paid the corresponding fees. Most of these formulas included alcohol, opiates, and other ingredients of questionable safety, and were not available for sale, even to children, pregnant women, or the elderly. The consequences were inevitable: poisoning, serious side effects and even deaths. In the following video, Elisa Prieto (Head of Knowledge Management at Elzaburu) summarizes how Patent Medicines were born and why they caught on with the public; their pioneering role in the mass use of advertising; and how regulation and science put an end to these pharmacy "miracles." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seoVgXrqK0o&t=10s Primeros pasos hacia la regulación sanitaria La creciente preocupación por la salud pública impulsó a colegios médicos y autoridades a actuar. Healthcare professionals began to reveal the true composition of these products and their risks, while regulatory agencies developed regulations that imposed marketing authorization processes for drugs. By the 1920s, most patent medicines had disappeared, giving way to a more transparent healthcare model based on scientific research. Consolidation of the pharmaceutical industry and the patent system The disappearance of "patent medicines" marked the beginning of a completely different era: the industrialization of medicines. For the first time, scientific research and the protection of inventions through pharmaceutical patents were placed at the heart of production. In this way, medicines ceased to be homemade preparations and were developed under standardized and controlled processes. Relevant examples of this transition are preserved in the ELZABURU historical archives: Eno Fruit Salts Created by James Crossley and registered in Spain at the end of the 19th century, they were born as a multipurpose remedy. Over time, they evolved to become a well-established antacid product in the global pharmaceutical company GSK's catalog. Coca-Cola: From Medicinal Tonic to Global Icon Formulated in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton, Coca-Cola was initially marketed as a “patent medicine” intended to relieve headaches and digestive problems. Today, without therapeutic pretensions, it is one of the most recognized drinks on the planet. Salicylic acid and the birth of aspirin In 1884, German chemist Friedrich von Heyden obtained one of the first patents for the industrial production of salicylic acid, a derivative of willow bark with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Later, in 1890, Bayer registered the patent for diquinoline in Spain, helping to consolidate a model of reliable and standardized medicines. Ceregumil, tradition and modernity In 1907, the apothecary Bernabé Fernández developed Ceregumil, a food tonic to improve digestion, based on cereals, legumes and honey. Registered as a trademark in 1911, the company has grown internationally and today offers modern dietary supplements tailored to today's needs. In addition, the archives contain historical records of other pioneering brands, such as Listerine, Merck, Wellcome, and Glaxo, which helped shape the pharmaceutical industry in the 20th century. Industrial property as a driver of pharmaceutical innovation The transition from unproven, advertised remedies to regulated medicines was made possible by the conjunction of three key factors: Rigorous scientific research: clinical trials made it possible to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of medicines. Patent protection: guaranteed investment in development and market competitiveness. Strong health regulation: Established quality and transparency standards that strengthened consumer confidence. The social change generated by this model led society to leave behind "miracle drugs" and demand precisely what we now recognize as the fundamental pillars of pharmaceutical innovation: safe and effective medicines, protected by industrial property and backed by responsible health regulations. Today, although the sector has advanced, these principles remain essential and allow for sustainable innovation. Elisa Prieto, Head of Knowledge Management at Elzaburu

Throughout history, Spain has been the birthplace of great explorers, scientists and inventors whose contributions have been key in multiple fields of knowledge. However, in many cases, the recognition and fame of their discoveries and advances have been attributed to others, relegating these Spanish pioneers to oblivion. Why does this happen? Often, the success of an innovation depends not only on its genius, but also on its dissemination, commercialization and, above all, on its adequate protection. Effective registration of patents, utility models and designs is crucial to ensure that the efforts and creativity of inventors are recognised and rewarded. Spanish explorers and discoverers: mapping the world before anyone else One of the areas where Spanish contributions have been fundamental is that of geographical exploration. For centuries, Spanish navigators and scientists opened trade routes, documented unknown territories, and carried out expeditions that expanded the boundaries of the known world. For example, the Jesuit Pedro Páez Jaramillo discovered the sources of the Blue Nile in 1618, almost 150 years before British explorers claimed this discovery. Similarly, Lorenzo Ferrer Maldonado was the first to describe the Bering Strait in 1588, although his name was overshadowed by the Dane Vitus Jonassen Bering more than two centuries later. Similarly, the Jesuit José de Acosta documented the Peruvian Current in 1590, which would eventually become known as the Humboldt Current after the German explorer who rediscovered it in the XNUMXth century. Spanish pioneers in technology: from the steam engine to the e-book Spain has not only been a country of explorers, but also of inventors ahead of their time. A clear example is Jerónimo de Ayanz, whom many consider the Spanish Leonardo da Vinci. Among his inventions are a diving suit, a submarine prototype and a steam engine patented in 1606 (developed more than a century before James Watt's renowned engine). Another case is that of Ramón Verea, who in 1892 designed the first calculator capable of performing the four basic arithmetic operations. However, he was never interested in its commercial exploitation, so his idea did not become popular until the prototypes of the Swiss Otto Steiger. Angela Ruiz Robles, a teacher from León who in 1949 patented the Mechanical Encyclopedia, considered the first prototype of an electronic book. Despite this, the inventor of the e-book is popularly considered to be the American Michael Hart. The unknown inventor of epidural anesthesia Military doctor Fidel Pagés developed epidural anesthesia in the 20s and his discovery was published in Spanish medical journals. However, it went unnoticed internationally until, a decade later, the Italian Achilles Dogliotti claimed authorship of the discovery. Only when evidence of Pagés's work was presented did Dogliotti acknowledge the true authorship of the technique. The value of protecting innovation These are just a few examples of the importance of ensuring that inventions and discoveries are recognized and protected. Many innovative ideas have been lost to history not only due to lack of commercialization, but also due to the absence of adequate legal protection. Today, inventors have key tools such as patents, utility models and industrial designs, which allow them to claim authorship of their creations and prevent third parties from appropriating their advances without recognition or compensation. Commercial success can depend on multiple factors, but ensuring recognition and protection of intellectual property is the first step for inventors to not only “card the wool” but also enjoy the fruits of their ingenuity. At Elzaburu, we have been advising inventors, entrepreneurs and companies on the protection of their industrial and intellectual property for over 160 years. If you have an innovative idea, do not hesitate to contact us to ensure its recognition and commercial exploitation. Elisa Prieto Castro, Knowledge Manager at Elzaburu

Madrid, March 7, 2025.- ELZABURU, a firm specializing in industrial and intellectual property, has been awarded the Seal of Good Practices in Equality by the Illustrious Bar Association of Madrid (ICAM). The award was presented during a gala held within the framework of the XII Summit of Women Jurists and was collected by Mabel Klimt, Managing Partner of Elzaburu; Isabel Gómez Patón, Head of HR; Elisa Prieto, Head of Knowledge Management and Guiomar González, Head of Marketing and Communication. The Seals of Good Practices in Equality were created in 2019 by the Equality Commission of the ICAM and “seek to make visible and reward those initiatives that promote a more equitable environment in the practice of law”. For Mabel Klimt, “it is an honor to receive this distinction that recognizes the advances of our firm in favor of equality; Currently, at Elzaburu, four of the firm's five corporate areas are led by a female professional and more than 30% of the partners are women. And we are going to continue moving forward in this direction so that talent and effort are the determining factors for professional growth, regardless of gender." This was the second edition of these equality awards in which the Jury has highlighted the high level of the candidates presented, which reflects the growing commitment of the legal sector to equality and female leadership. Vicente Magro, Supreme Court Judge; and Cristina Sancho, President of the Aranzadi La Ley Foundation, received the ICAM individual Equality and Leadership awards. And Mª Emilia Casas, the first woman to preside over the Constitutional Court, received the ICAM Medal of Honour "for her contribution to the advancement of equality and law in Spain."

One of the most important factors for the progress and development of civilizations is the ability of ingenious people to innovate and create tools and processes that improve the quality of life or manufacturing processes. The last quarter of the 19th century was characterized by a great explosion in the registration of new inventions and technologies and Spain, despite having joined the industrial revolution late, also experienced an innovative flourishing. Our firm ELZABURU (then called Vizcarrondo) was an exceptional witness of that period due to the shortage of industrial property professionals in our country. We have seen innovations in virtually all areas of production, but we have been struck by the large number of innovations on the following fronts. Minerals and other raw materials Although the industrial revolution in Spain was in its early stages, the development of manufacturing industries in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and France led to a growing desire for raw materials as sources of energy and as materials for the construction of machines and equipment. Spain was a territory where mineral and material resources had barely been exploited, which is why it became a place of interest for mining companies and metal and mineral processing companies. At the end of the 19th century, we found a good number of patents relating to treatments and processes for minerals, such as, for example, processes for obtaining aluminium, purifying lead, obtaining soft iron... and a long etcetera. Likewise, it is common to discover new extraction systems and machinery such as tugs or extractors. Apparatus for the extraction of minerals by Lorenzo Riera and Oliver (Privilege No. 4088) Electricity and lighting In the last decades of the XNUMXth century, Europe experienced a real race to develop a lighting system. Major advances were patented in the production and distribution of energy and its application to lighting homes and public roads. ELZABURU registers the patents of Edison and Charles Francis Bush, but also of Spaniards such as Eusebio Molerá and Juan Cebrián, who also made important inventions in this field. As a fun fact, if you're wondering who patented the first light bulb, the answer isn't Edison! Despite having registered nearly 2.000 patents worldwide, it was Joseph Wilson Swan who created the first light bulb in 1878. We tell you in detail about this electricity career here. Edison's patent for improvement in electric lights (1879) Transportation Numerous inventions appeared relating to means of transportation, not only in relation to railroads (or, as they are often mentioned, “railways”) but also ships, carriages, funiculars, etc. Patent for an electric motor for railways and trams by The Patton Motor Company (1892) Telecommunications The world of telecommunications, along with that of lighting, is one of the most fascinating and has seen the greatest technological developments, especially with the development of the telegraph and the telephone. Numerous inventions and improvements were made to Graham Bell's famous telephone patent, from the development of microphones, bells and chimes to switching systems for telephone switchboards. However, did you know that Graham Bell is not the real father of the telephone? But it was Antonio Meucci who invented the telephone. Such was the desire to achieve wireless communication at a distance that, in our archives from the beginning of the 1902th century, we discovered some prototypes of mobile phones, with a patent dating back to XNUMX. War Industry Europe experienced a particularly turbulent period of political unrest throughout the 19th century, which led to the emergence of numerous armed conflicts. An important war industry is thus developing, which bases its success on the development of new machines and explosive components. Patents relating to firearms, both personal and for artillery, are frequent. Of particular note here are the patents of Alfred Krupp, known as "The King of the Cannon" due to the importance his inventions acquired in the Prussian army's war battles.  Likewise, numerous explosive compounds were patented, among which the invention of dynamite by Alfred Nobel stands out. In short, the last quarter of the 19th century marked a golden age for innovation in Spain, with advances that transformed industries and changed everyday life. ELZABURU played a crucial role in protecting these inventions, helping to translate the ingenuity of the age into tangible progress. Today, more than a century later, we remain committed to the mission of protecting and promoting the innovation that drives the development of society.     All images have been taken from the OEPM Historical Archive: http://historico.oepm.es/buscador.php Elisa Prieto, Head of Knowledge Management at ELZABURU

From Privileges and the Royal Conservatory of Arts and Crafts to the OEPM The registry of inventions in Spain is a fascinating story of the development of our country, which dates back more than 500 years: as early as 1.478, the so-called “privileges of invention” were granted, titles granted by the King, who had the advice of the Royal Council, an organization in which relevant people from the Court who had scientific or technical knowledge participated. However, it was not until the 19th century that the two pillars on which our current protection system is based were developed: an organization that grants titles and protection regulations. The first foundations of our current Patent and Trademark Office were laid with the creation, in 1810, of the Royal Conservatory of Arts and Crafts, which, among other functions, was responsible for granting privileges and patents, as was the case in revolutionary France. The Conservatory would go through many changes of name and changes until the Industrial Property Registry was created in 1902 and the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) in 1992. First Privilege of invention preserved, granted by Isabel la Católica The first patent protection rule: Royal Decree of 1826 On the other hand, regarding the regulations, although there are precedents in a Royal Decree of 1811, and despite the fact that even the Constitution of 1812, "La Pepa", recognized in one of its articles the protection of inventors, it would not be until 1826 when the Royal Decree of Exclusive Privileges of Invention and Introduction was promulgated, which is considered the first effective rule in the field of patents in Spain. In fact, the numbering of the privileges currently preserved in the OEPM archive begins from that date, with the privilege granted to the Frenchman Jean-Marie La Perriere, on March 27, 1826, who registered a hand-powered mill.  First applicant at the OEPM: Jean-Marie La Perriere with a hand-powered mill (1826) ELZABURU is born, the oldest industrial property firm in Spain In 1865 Julio Vizcarrondo opens an industrial property office in Madrid, one of the first with that specialty in the country and the only one, if we are not mistaken, that is still operating today. Years later he would partner with his nephew Francisco de Elzaburu Vizcarrondo to create the germ of the current ELZABURU. With the new Patent Law, enacted on July 30, 1878, the "privileges of invention" changed their name to "patents", a term that we still use today. The Industrial Property Registry arrives: a new era in the protection of inventions With the creation of the Industrial Property Registry in 1902 and the implementation of new regulations that allowed the registration of industrial models, a new era in the protection of intangibles in Spain began. ELZABURU has continued to evolve and play a leading role in this field, consolidating its position as a benchmark firm in the protection of inventions in the country. All images have been taken from the OEPM Historical Archive: http://historico.oepm.es/buscador.php Elisa Prieto, Head of Knowledge Management at ELZABURU

It contains 13 rulings by the CJEU and the Spanish courts, presented under three headings: Facts, Statements and Commentary. They are analysed by the firm's professionals and deal with trademarks, copyrights, patents, designs, piracy and plant varieties. Madrid, 28 May 2024. - ELZABURU, a firm specialising in the management of intangibles, has published the 12th edition of its European jurisprudence yearbook, which contains 13 relevant cases decided by the Court of Justice and the Spanish courts, commented on by the firm's specialists in each area. This compilation contains commented rulings on trademarks (4), copyrights (3), patents (2), designs (2), piracy (1) and plant varieties (1). Over these 12 years, the Yearbook has published a total of 337 cases from the Court of Justice of the European Union, the EU Trademark Court, the Supreme Court of the Provincial Courts, other European and Spanish courts, and the European Patent Office. This year's compilation has selected relevant cases from the Court of Justice in its interpretation of European regulations in the most varied scenarios; as well as the work of the Spanish courts, which have been joined this year, for the first time, by the civil courts to settle appeals against the resolutions of the OEPM. In this edition, 9 professionals from the firm have published their comments: Enrique Armijo, María Cadarso, Inés de Casas, Juan José Caselles, Mabel Klimt, Carlos Morán, Alessandro Pelliccioni, Pedro Saturio and Ana Sanz. The Editorial Committee of the Yearbook has been formed by Ana Donate, Margarita García, Carlos Morán, Elisa Prieto, José Ignacio San Martín and Bosco de la Vega.

The ELZABURU office acquired the CEDRO license for the use of works more than 10 years ago, as an action of regulatory compliance and also as an example of its commitment to respect for copyright. Available at http://www.cedro.org/actualidad/noticias/noticia/2019/01/04/elzaburu-10-a%C3%B1os-apoyando-a-autores-y-editores Source: CEDRO Author(s): Elisa Prieto Castro [Show News]

Elisa Prieto comments on her experience leading the dept. of Elzaburu Knowledge Management. Accessible at; https://clip.sedic.es/article/la-gestion-del-knowledge-en-un-despacho-de-abogados/ Elisa Prieto talks about her experience as Knowledge Manager at the firm Elzaburu Available at: https: //clip.sedic.es/article/la-gestion-del-knowledge-en-un-despacho-de-abogados/ Source: Clip. SEDIC Bulletin Author(s): Elisa Prieto Castro [Show News]

On the occasion of "World Intellectual Property Day", which this year is dedicated to celebrating the talent, ingenuity, curiosity and courage of the women who drive change in our world and shape our common future, the International Firm ELZABURU has organized a working breakfast that brings together women in very different areas of innovation and creativity. TRG Date: 26.04.2018/09/00 Hours 11:30 a.m. to 9:XNUMX a.m. Location: Alma Sensai Club. C/ Príncipe de Vergara, XNUMX, Madrid. Source: Madrid Author(s): Elisa Prieto Castro, Tránsito Ruiz Gallego, Cristina Arroyo Meneses, Carolina García de la Rasilla Arambarri, Pilar Soriano Atencia