As Autumn fades into Winter down under and the cool nights start to set in, this OzKat has been prowling the metaphorical IP streets to find the latest tasty tidbits of IP events, news and opportunities. And don't forget to stay tuned into the IPKat Events page to keep up to date with what's happening in 2026.
Events
Digital Rights and Culture Congress 2026
On 28 and 29 May 2026, the conference "Digital rights and culture: freedom of creation and access to culture in the digital environment" will take place at the Ateneo de Madrid. The conference is organised by EGEDA within the framework of the Agreement with Red.es to promote the implementation of the Charter of Digital Rights. Find out more and register here.
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| Autumn Kat |
The Sedona Global Intellectual Property Conference will be held at The Hilton Milan in Milan, Italy on 9 and 10 June 2026. Topics include the UPC, trade secrets, litigation funding, bio/pharma patent litigation, SEP/F/RAND, AI and IP, and more. The conference will feature a panel of distinguished judges from the US and Europe, and another panel of in-house counsel representing leading brands across the globe. Find out more and register here.
IPBC Global 2026
IPBC Global will take place in San Diego on 15–17 June 2026. IPBC is attended by over 750 corporate executives, dealmakers, investors, policy leaders, and legal experts – it is where policy is shaped, deals are done, and innovation accelerates. Find out more and register here.
FICPI ABC Meeting 2026
The FICPI ABC Meeting will take place at the Hotel Noelle in Nashville, Tennessee on 23-26 June 2026. The ABC Meeting is a conference for IP professionals from Canada, the UK, the US and across the globe. Located in the “Country Music Capital of the World”, this meeting is about more than just an opportunity to engage on top-tier IP discussions and network, it is also an opportunity to enjoy Nashville’s vibrant music culture and history. Find out more and register here.
News
New coop project in Western Balkans and Republic of Moldova
On 20 May 2026, the EUIPO issued a press release officially launching ‘EU4IP – Western Balkans’, the first EU-funded international IP cooperation project covering the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova. The purpose of the project is to help the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova align with EU IP standards, in line with their EU accession process.
First Portuguese craft and industrial geographical indication registered
In another press release issued on 26 May 2026, the EUIPO announced the registration of “Lenços de Namorados do Minho”, the first Portuguese craft and industrial geographical indication to be registered. These traditional embroidered handkerchiefs from the Minho region are among Portugal’s best-known symbols, with the registration further strengthening the EU system protecting Europe’s artisanal and industrial heritage.
Annual Report 2025 of the EPO Boards of Appeal
The Annual Report 2025 of the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office was published on 12 May 2026. This report sets out the progress made in 2025 towards the Boards' objectives and provides an overview of their activities and important developments throughout the year.
Opportunities
Call for papers – International Conference on IP, Media & Technology Governance 2026
The International Conference on Intellectual Property Laws, Media & Technology Governance (ICIP 2026) is calling for original research papers from students, academicians, researchers, professionals, and emerging scholars. Abstracts are due by 2 June 2026, with full paper submission due by 10 June 2026, ahead of the virtual conference being held on 13–14 June 2026. Find out more here.
Reviewed by Dr Claire Gregg
on
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Rating:
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