Since the implementation of Phase II of the EU Designs Legal Reform on 1 July 2026, more than 100 EU designs have been filed using video and 3D digital models, demonstrating an early uptake of the new opportunities offered by the modernised EU design system. During the first three months of the implementation of the legal reform, the Office received 25,591 EU design applications, including 25,452 using traditional static images, 103 using videos, and 36 using 3D digital models as graphic representations.

The annual European Judges’ Forum took place in Venice on 23 and 24 October. Organised by the Intellectual Property Judges Association (IPJA), the European Patent Lawyers Association (EPLAW) and the European Patent Office (EPO), the event brought together leading patent litigators and senior patent judges from the Unified Patent Court (UPC), national courts and the EPO Boards of Appeal.

This notice concerns Sarfaraz K. Niazi of Deerfield, Illinois who is a registered patent agent (Registration Number 52,076). The United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") Director has reprimanded Dr. Niazi for violating 37 C.F.R. §§ 11.101 (failing to provide competent representation), 11.103 (failing to act with reasonable diligence in representing a client), and 11.804(d) (engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the integrity of the U.S. patent examination and issuance process). The reprimand is predicated on Dr. Niazi's violation of these provisions of the USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct in connection with the submission of incorrect Certifications of Micro Entity Status in certain patent applications. See 37 C.F.R. § 1.29(a)(2).

The European Patent Office (EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO) and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) met in Vienna on 19-21 October for their 44th annual Trilateral Conference. The meeting brought together EPO President António Campinos, who hosted the event, JPO Commissioner Yasuyuki Kasai and Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director John A. Squires to discuss current and future challenges facing the global patent system.