In-House Insights

The Court of Justice of the European Union has provided important clarification on copyright protection for works of applied art in the EU in joined cases Mio and Konektra, including a useful summary of EU copyright law and the assessment of the 'originality' requirement. However, the decision also introduces new, potentially significant, elements to the framework.

We recently opened new offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, strengthening how we support clients whose business, capital and family interests span the Middle East. We also took an important step in Hong Kong, establishing our own local law practice while continuing our longstanding association with Karas So LLP - creating even more opportunities for connected growth across Asia.

In Beneathco v RJ O’Brien Ltd [2025] EWHC 3079 (Comm) the English Commercial Court held that an FCA-regulated broker was not obliged to transfer US$16.5 million held in its client account to a petroleum trader designated under US Iran sanctions, as doing so would breach US sanctions law.

The owner of the DRYROBE trade mark has countered arguments of genericism by showing that it had implemented a robust campaign to maintain distinctiveness, including correcting generic use by consumers and third parties through a range of techniques such as social media campaigns.

The ASA has ruled that ads from three major fashion brands did not comply with the CAP Code for containing misleading environmental claims. All three brands used the word "sustainable" to promote their products. Such broad claims must be qualified and/or substantiated, even if an ad is subject to character limits.