Blog

Categories

All Patents

Unitary patent applications exceed 100,000

September 10, 2026

More Than 100,000 European Patents with Unitary Effect: An In-Depth Look at the Unitary Patent Three Years Later

The Unitary Patent has surpassed 100,000 requests for unitary effect since the system began operating in June 2023. Beyond this numerical milestone, data from the EPO’s statistical dashboard allows us to observe how the use of this form of protection is evolving in Europe. More than 100,000 requests for unitary effect […]

August 27, 2026

Everyday Inventions: Small Decisions That Changed the Future of an Innovation

A major innovation does not always stem from a radically new idea. Sometimes, the real breakthrough lies in changing a package, transferring a technology from one sector to another, paying attention to how consumer needs evolve, or overcoming a technical limitation that seemed inevitable. The history of many everyday or world-renowned inventions shows that […]

Batteries and Patents: The Technological Race That Will Shape the Energy Transition

The energy transition has become one of the major drivers of technological innovation on a global scale. For decades, the debate centered on how to generate energy more cleanly. Today, the focus has shifted to an equally critical issue: how to store, manage, and transport that energy efficiently. In this […]

The OEPM will offer a 30% discount on patent technology reports for recipients of CDTI grants

The Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) and the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) have signed an agreement to promote the use of industrial property rights in research, development, and innovation projects. Among its most significant measures is a 30% discount on certain services […]

OEPM Report 2025: Patents and Utility Models Reflect the Growth of Innovation in Spain

Patent and utility model applications increased in Spain in 2025, a figure that reflects not only greater innovation activity but also a growing focus on protecting technical developments. This is according to the annual report *The SPTO in Figures 2025*, published by the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, […]

European patent applications exceed 200,000: What the EPO Technology Dashboard 2025 Reveals

The European Patent Office (EPO) has published its Technology Dashboard 2025 (formerly known as the Patent Index), and the data paint a particularly significant picture for European technological innovation. For the first time, European patent applications have exceeded 200,000 per year, confirming both the importance of the European market and its growing influence […]

The Evolution of Genomics: From Discovery to Patents

In genomics, few issues have sparked such a persistent—and such a significant—debate as the role of patents. Unlike in other areas of technology, we are not talking about protecting a machine or a process, but rather something that constitutes the “essence” of being: genetic material and, its primary representative, DNA. Does that change the […]

Rare-Earth Technology: ULL Patents Anti-Counterfeiting Security Inks

Rare earth elements have established themselves as strategic materials for numerous industrial sectors thanks to their unique optical, electronic, and chemical properties. From energy to microelectronics and document security, they enable the development of technical solutions that are difficult to replicate and, therefore, offer high competitive value. The recent patent obtained by the University of […]

Record Number of Applications in 2025: Key Figures on Industrial Property in Spain

The Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) closed out 2025 with a figure of particular significance for the national innovation ecosystem: a total of 92,569 applications for industrial property rights, the highest number in the last ten years. This volume confirms the sustained growth trend seen in recent years and reflects a […]

February 12, 2026

Intellectual property accounts for nearly 50% of Europe's GDP: Key Findings from the New EUIPO–EPO Report on Sectoral Innovation

Intellectual property (IP) is not just a legal tool for protecting intangible assets: it is a structural economic driver for Europe. The latest joint report by the European Union Intellectual Property Office and the European Patent Office confirms that IP-intensive sectors account for a significant portion of the […]

January 29, 2026

Patenting Software in Spain and Europe: What Can and Cannot Be Protected Under Applicable Law

Patenting software is a recurring issue for innovative companies, tech startups, and legal professionals who develop digital solutions. The legal framework in Europe is not intuitive—among other reasons—because patent laws were conceived long before the advent of computing and have had to adapt to its emergence as they went along […]

December 11, 2025

Patent applications reach an all-time high of 3.7 million, according to the latest WIPO report

On November 12, 2025, WIPO published its latest annual report on global intellectual property indicators—*World Intellectual Property Indicators 2025* (WIPI 2025)—in which the number of intellectual property (IP) applications worldwide reached record levels. Some of the most notable figures: Patent applications […]

November 27, 2025

1865: A year marked by Elzaburu and major advances that laid the foundation for the modern world

In 1865, significant advances were made in various fields of knowledge and technology. Some of these went unnoticed at the time, while others marked the beginning of business ventures that are now global leaders. Elzaburu was founded that same year, in an environment where science, industry, and culture were beginning to […]

November 25, 2025

Industrial Designs: 100 Years of the WIPO International Registration System

The centennial celebration of the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs marks a historic milestone that invites us to reflect on the evolution of design, its economic significance, and its role as a driver of business competitiveness. Over the course of a century, this system, administered by WIPO, has enabled […]

October 2, 2025

The EPO Opens the Door to Color Figures in Electronic Patent Applications

A regulatory change that modernizes the filing of inventions Starting October 1, 2025, the European Patent Office (EPO) will allow color and grayscale figures to be included in electronic patent applications. This regulatory change represents a significant step forward in the digitization of patent procedures, facilitating […]

September 25, 2025

The Evolution of the Pharmaceutical Industry: From “Patent Medicines” to Patented Drugs

The evolution of medicinal remedies into the modern pharmaceutical industry is closely linked to the development of industrial property rights, 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 a medicine evolved from being a […]

August 28, 2025

How to Register Your Patent in Spain, Europe, or Worldwide: 2026 Guide

Do you have an innovative idea and want to protect it legally? This guide explains everything you need to know about patents, both in Spain and internationally: what can be patented, the steps involved in filing a patent application, the differences between patents and other forms of protection such as utility models and trade secrets, and much more […]

The decisions of the Unified Patent Court also have effect in Spain

Since its launch on June 1, 2023, the Unified Patent Court (UPC) has brought about a change in the resolution of patent disputes in Europe. Two years after it began operations, the European judicial system for […]

Energy Patents and Rare Earths: Legal Key Elements of a Booming Innovation

Technological innovation progresses at different rates depending on the sector. While some sectors, such as the automotive and aerospace industries, maintain a steady pace of evolution, others are undergoing rapid transformation. One of the most dynamic fields today is that of electricity generation and storage, where the volume of requests for […]

Patent Validation in Spain: Trends, Technical Translations, and Strategic Decisions

Over the past two years, Spain has seen steady growth in the number of European patent grants. According to the most recent data from the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM), there was a 12.7% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year. This trend reflects a growing interest in […]

Innovation and Patents: The Key Role of Industrial Property in the Fight Against Cancer

Every breakthrough in the fight against cancer is driven by technological innovation. From immunotherapy to artificial intelligence applied to diagnosis, the development of new medical solutions is crucial to improving the prevention, detection, and treatment of this disease. In this context, the European Patent Office (EPO) has published the report […]

Little-Known Spanish Inventions and Discoveries: The Importance of Protecting Innovation

Throughout history, Spain has been the birthplace of great explorers, scientists, and inventors whose contributions have been pivotal in many fields of knowledge. However, in many cases, the recognition and fame for their discoveries and advances have been attributed to others, relegating these Spanish pioneers to oblivion. Why […]

November 27, 2024

St. John's Wort: The Intellectual Property Behind This "Magical" Plant

July 27 marked the 40th anniversary of the Regulation on the Protection of the Rights of Plant Breeders, a system administered by the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), a European Union agency with its own legal personality. And to celebrate this anniversary, we’re going to take a look back at a unique plant variety […]

November 7, 2024

The Patent Boom of the 19th Century: The Top 5 Most Innovative Sectors of the Era

One of the most important factors in the progress and development of civilizations is the ability of resourceful 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 marked by a major boom in the field of […]

October 31, 2024

Unitary Patent or Traditional Patent Validation System?

The Unitary Patent (UP) system is a patent title that, through a single legal action, grants protection with the same effects in each and every participating Member State. Since Romania’s recent accession to this system on September 1, there are now 18 participating Member States. It is worth noting […]

October 18, 2024

VAR and VOR in Patent Law: The Oral Hearing

In 2017, soccer adopted video assistant referee (VAR) and video on-field referee (VOR) technology to reduce the likelihood of referees making mistakes in their decisions. Well, let’s use this soccer analogy to explain the role of a procedure in our industry that we could consider “the VAR of patents.” It’s been […]

October 3, 2024

Romania Joins the Unitary Patent System

On September 1, 2024, the agreement on Romania’s accession to the Unitary Patent System (UP) entered into force. This means that all European patents with unitary effect now automatically cover Romania. With this new accession, there are now 18 European Union member states participating […]

September 26, 2024

The Origins of Patents in Spain: 500 Years of Protecting Inventions

From Privileges and the Royal Conservatory of Arts and Crafts to the OEPM The history of invention registration in Spain is a fascinating account of our country’s development, dating back more than 500 years: as early as 1478, so-called “invention privileges”—titles granted by the King—were being awarded, […]

September 18, 2024

The Boom in Generative Artificial Intelligence Patents

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is experiencing an unprecedented boom, driven by its ability to take on new functions. This versatility allows AI to be incorporated into more areas of everyday life, from technology and science to healthcare, entertainment, and especially the development of new computer applications. The boom […]

Industrial Property in Spain: SPTO Report Highlights Increase in Patents and Industrial Designs

The Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) has published its annual report, “The OEPM in Figures 2023,” providing a detailed overview of activities related to the protection of industrial property in Spain. This report reflects significant growth in industrial property in Spain, highlighting a 10.4% increase in applications […]

Renewable energy patents increase by 150%

In recent years, the search for more sustainable energy sources has significantly boosted the installation of solar photovoltaic systems worldwide, with China leading this growth. This increase has been accompanied by a significant rise in patent applications to protect these innovations. The challenge going forward will no longer be just to generate more energy, but […]

The TUP Marks Its First Year of Operation

June 1 marked the first anniversary of the launch of the Unified Patent Court (UPC). And although it got off to a start amid considerable uncertainty regarding its acceptance and operation, it appears to be overcoming some initial problems and gradually finding its footing. Its decisions have an impact on the […]

February 23, 2024

Cancer: It's been hit, and soon it'll be sunk!

When my father was diagnosed with cancer at the most advanced stage, stage IV, a member of the Palliative Care Unit staff asked him what he thought. “When it’s your turn, it’s your turn,” he replied. Indeed, there is an element of chance. But there’s also a lot of science involved. As you read these lines, your cells are dividing […]

November 21, 2023

How can you protect the results of your research project?

Whether you’re a freelance professional, an SME, a large engineering firm, a research institute, or a university, you’ve likely wondered how to capitalize on the results of your R&D efforts and investments. Developing technologies that are suitable for industrial application and offer solutions to a wide range of technical problems does not […]

November 2, 2023

What is the assessment of the first five months of the Unified Patent Court and the unitary patent?

The Unified Patent Court (UPC) and the Unitary Patent came into effect on June 1, 2023, so it is now possible to obtain some data and conduct a preliminary assessment. As for the Unitary Patent, requests for unitary effect to date have exceeded 13,000, which […]

October 10, 2023

The 10-day extension for EPO communications is coming to an end—are you ready?

On October 13, 2022, the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organization adopted a series of amendments to the Implementing Regulations of the European Patent Convention (EPC). Among these amendments are those affecting the rules governing notifications issued by the European Patent Office […]

The unitary patent

The system known as the “European Patent with Unitary Effect” (or “Unitary Patent,” as it is colloquially referred to) entered into force on June 1, 2023. This system consists of two European Union Regulations (EU 1257/2012 and EU 1260/2012), which establish: the creation of a European patent with unitary effect for […]

Grant Program to Promote Patent Applications.

In the development of any business, it is essential today to incorporate an appropriate strategy for protecting a company’s intangible assets into its strategic plan. This not only provides protection in the market against potential attempts by third parties to copy the company’s assets, but also facilitates access to financing by […]

European Commission Proposal for Three New Regulations on Patents.

The European Commission has just unveiled a proposal for three new regulations of significant importance in the field of patent law. The proposal was drafted following an extensive consultation process with stakeholders, which was launched after the publication in November 2020 of the Commission’s Action Plan on […]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is joining the trend of issuing electronic certificates.

Effective April 18, 2023, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will stop issuing paper patent certificates and will issue them electronically instead. For other types of industrial property (such as trademarks), electronic issuance of certificates has already been in effect since last year. This means that […]

December 23, 2022

The unitary patent: a new reality for 2023

The system known as the “European Patent with Unitary Effect” (or “Unitary Patent,” as it is colloquially referred to) is expected to become a reality in the first half of 2023. This system consists of two European Union Regulations (EU 1257/2012 and EU 1260/2012), which establish: the creation of a European patent with unitary effect […]

Patent Dispute Between Automakers and Mobile Communications Technology Providers

A German court has banned the sale and production in Germany of Ford cars capable of connecting to the Internet as part of a lawsuit alleging infringement of wireless technology patents. The ruling also orders the recall and destruction of the vehicles currently at Ford dealerships. The ruling may still be appealed. […]

Artificial Intelligence: A Challenge for Intellectual Property

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the world we live in. The ability of AI algorithms to analyze vast amounts of data, make connections between them, draw conclusions, and even solve specific tasks by combining the knowledge gained from data analysis is leading to the emergence of computer applications and/or devices that solve […]

Adapting the description to the claims of a European Patent Application

One feature that distinguishes the European Patent Office from the rest of the IP5 is the requirement to align the description of a patent application with the claims as a prerequisite for granting the patent. Although this requirement has been in place for several years, its specific requirements have varied over […]

Have you received the transfer yet?

In this article, Colm Ahern, a partner at ELZABURU, analyzes the functionality and practicality of so-called "transfers" of court cases and how recent legislative changes have affected the entire process.

January 19, 2021

What career revivals or business transformations can companies undertake today?

Companies try to adapt to change with varying degrees of success, but sometimes it seems that if you don’t keep up with industry trends or new technologies, you’ll become obsolete. Pilar Soriano, sales director at ELZABURU, offers a useful and practical perspective in this landscape of conflicting opinions to help companies envision new professional projects that incorporate a certain degree of innovation or disruption.

Inability to Obtain a CCP for a New Therapeutic Application of an Existing Active Ingredient

One of the requirements for obtaining a Supplementary Protection Certificate (“SPC”) for a medicinal product is that the marketing authorization (“MA”) for the product for which the SPC is sought must be the first MA granted for that product as a medicinal product (Article 3(d) of Regulation (EC) No. 469/2009).

January 31, 2020

BREXIT: WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

“CALM” is the guiding principle that should govern the actions of any holder of industrial and intellectual property rights starting at midnight—that is, when Brexit, the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, takes effect at 00:00 CET. Despite the storm clouds that at one point […]

Load More

Contact

How can we help you?

From patents, trademarks, and copyrights to technology, contracts, data protection, and IP disputes. We analyze your needs, assign them to the most qualified professional, and provide you with a response in less than 24 hours.

Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone

Position*

Company*

Type of inquiry*

Message*

I agree to receive communications from ELZABURU regarding new products, services, and news of interest, including via electronic means. You may withdraw your consent at any time as indicated in the Privacy Policy.

I have read and accept the legal notice and terms of use.*

ELZABURU will process your personal data to respond to and manage your request and/or communication, as well as—if you check the corresponding box—to send you communications about our latest news, services, and other information of interest. You can exercise your data protection rights by contacting protecciondedatos@elzaburu.es and find additional information in our Privacy Policy.

ELZABURU does not engage in collaboration models based on work-for-equity arrangements, nor does it provide its services on a contingency fee basis.