What Happened in the Field of Intellectual Property Worldwide? - May 2025
- Juniper IP
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
This newsletter compiles global intellectual property news from various media sources.
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European Patent Validation Agreement with Laos Takes Effect
As of April 1, 2025, the validation agreement between the European Patent Organisation (EPO) and Laos has come into effect. This agreement allows European patents to be validated in Laos, providing patent protection in the country under its national patent law. With this, European patent protection can now be extended to up to 46 countries, as Laos becomes the sixth country to sign such an agreement, following Morocco, Moldova, Tunisia, Cambodia, and Georgia.
The agreement simplifies the patent process by enabling businesses and inventors to use a single European patent application for protection in multiple countries, cutting costs and reducing complexity. EPO President António Campinos highlighted that the agreement opens new opportunities for collaboration in Laos, particularly in innovation and sustainability. The agreement also strengthens Laos' innovation ecosystem, supporting foreign investment and technology transfer, and will be backed by ongoing technical cooperation between the EPO and the Laos Department of Intellectual Property.
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$1 Billion Music Rights Joint Venture by Warner Bros Discovery
Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has entered into a joint venture worth over $1 billion with UK-based music financier Cutting Edge Group (CEG) to manage a nearly 100-year archive of film and television music, including iconic works such as the Friends theme song and scores from the Harry Potter films. The deal is part of WBD’s strategy to reduce its debt and boost its share price by turning music rights into a significant revenue stream. German asset manager DWS is also participating as an investor in the venture. The agreement highlights the growing appeal of music rights as a financial asset class.
This extensive library includes music from The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Succession, and Blade Runner, with the majority of royalty revenue expected to come from public performance rights generated through global broadcasts. CEG will be responsible for licensing and collecting royalties worldwide. While WBD will retain creative and operational control, the deal is being recognized as one of the largest music rights transactions in the industry. CEG executives describe the partnership as "one of the most valuable music catalog investments to date."
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Sandoz Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Amgen
Swiss-based generic drug manufacturer Sandoz has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amgen in the U.S., alleging that Amgen unlawfully maintained its market dominance over its blockbuster drug Enbrel (etanercept) by acquiring and using multiple patents to block the entry of lower-cost biosimilars—particularly Sandoz’s own product, Erelzi. Sandoz argues that these actions violate U.S. antitrust laws and prevent both patients and purchasers from accessing more affordable alternatives.
Sandoz is seeking a court injunction to stop Amgen from using patent rights to hinder biosimilar competition and to allow the immediate market entry of Erelzi. The company is also pursuing financial compensation for the losses it claims to have suffered due to delayed entry. Although Erelzi has been FDA-approved since 2016 and is available in Europe and other markets, Sandoz states that it has been unfairly excluded from the U.S. market.
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Perfume Brands Struggling to Protect Their Intellectual Property Against Cheap "Dupe" Scents
Perfume brands, especially those facing the rise of cheap "dupe" perfumes popularized on social media, are struggling to protect their intellectual property rights. Experts point out that trademarking a scent in the UK is nearly impossible because a trademark must be graphically representable, and subjective and difficult-to-define elements like scent do not meet this criterion. Additionally, the "inventive step" requirement for patenting a formulation is often not met for perfumes, and even if a patent is granted, the formula is made public after 20 years. As a result, many brands prefer to protect their formulations by keeping them secret.
However, with advanced technologies (such as GCMS devices), these secret formulations can be analyzed and copied. Lawyers argue that the current legal system does not sufficiently protect perfume creators and that this art is being exploited by commercialized copies. Some experts suggest that dupe manufacturers should pay royalties to original brands and emphasize that the fragrance industry should receive the same level of legal protection as fashion and cosmetics industries.
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The Company with the Most PCT Applications in 2024: Huawei Technologies
In 2024, the total number of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications increased by 0.5% compared to 2023, reaching 273,900. China remained the largest source of applications, submitting 70,160. It was followed by the United States with 54,087 applications, Japan with 48,397, the Republic of Korea with 23,851, and Germany with 16,721. China recorded a 0.9% increase in its applications. The United States, Japan, and Germany experienced declines of 2.8%, 1.2%, and 1.3%, respectively. The Republic of Korea, on the other hand, showed strong growth of 7.1%.
In 2024, the company with the highest number of PCT applications was Huawei Technologies, with 6,600 filings. Samsung Electronics ranked second with 4,640 applications, followed by Qualcomm with 3,848. Among the top 10 companies, Samsung Electronics recorded the fastest growth with an increase of 716 applications. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, however, experienced a decline compared to 2023, with 196 applications. In the education sector, the University of California topped the list with 519 applications.
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