IP Insights
What a freedom-to-operate study covers, why US companies need it before launching in Europe, the risks of skipping it, and cost ranges for European and national patent, trademark and design FTO.
Read article →A step-by-step EU trademark search and registration guide for US companies: EUIPO clearance, fees, timelines and what a European trademark attorney handles.
Read article →A short brief on European patent renewals before and after grant — and where to run the official EPO and Unitary Patent numbers.
Read article →Key differences between EPO and USPTO practice for US filers — added matter, problem-solution inventive step and CII eligibility.
Read article →How US companies pick NICE classes at the EUIPO — IP Translator, class headings and mapping USPTO IDs to EU specifications.
Read article →How to challenge a European patent through EPO opposition — deadlines, costs and strategy for US companies.
Read article →Should US companies opt their European patents out of the UPC? A practical guide to risk, cost and timing for European patent portfolios.
Read article →The right time to bring in a European Patent Attorney — from first filing and PCT entry through examination, opposition, UPC and portfolio strategy.
Read article →A practical guide for US companies filing a European patent — direct EPO filing, PCT regional phase, deadlines and what to prepare.
Read article →What to do after the EPO grants your patent: validation deadlines, translations, national fees and common mistakes US companies make.
Read article →A step-by-step guide to the EPO filing process for US companies — from drafting through search, examination, grant and opposition.
Read article →The difference between a patent attorney and a patent lawyer — and why it matters when you are filing in Europe or working with European counsel.
Read article →A practical comparison of the traditional European patent and the Unitary Patent — coverage, differences and how to choose.
Read article →A practical guide for US companies choosing a European Patent Attorney — qualifications, technical fit, fee structure and red flags.
Read article →Compare 2026 European patent costs for US companies: EPO fee schedule, Unitary Patent coverage, and national validation route totals. Clear fee breakdown for each path.
Read article →A short answer for US brands heading to Europe — when an EUTM is worth it, and where to find the full step-by-step filing hub.
Read article →No. A US patent is unenforceable in Europe. Learn the 12-month Paris Convention deadline and the 31-month PCT regional phase to keep your rights.
Read article →A US registration does not cover the EU. For most brands, the right starting point is an EU trade mark (EUTM) covering all 27 member states.
Read article →The EPO handles patents across Europe. The EUIPO handles EU trade marks and designs. They are separate systems, but timing matters for product launches.
Read article →Month-by-month timeline for entering the European regional phase from a PCT application: the 31-month deadline, fees, translations and first EPO action.
Read article →How US companies should weigh the Unitary Patent and UPC against traditional national validations in Europe.
Read article →