Trademark News: What Flew Under the Radar in October 2026

Stay informed with our comprehensive roundup of the past month's headlines, all neatly compiled for you in one convenient post. Catch up on the latest news reported by the Kluwer IP Reporter.

Australia enacts reforms to simplify IP regulation

On 18 September 2026, the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Act 2026 received Royal Assent, introducing changes to simplify parts of Australia’s intellectual property system.

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Bahrain adopts 13th edition of Nice Classification

On 1 October 2026, Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce adopted the 2026 version of the 13th edition of the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Classification) for trademark applications.

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China and Russia launch IP focal point pilot project

On 15 September 2026, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the Federal Service for Intellectual Property of the Russian Federation (Rospatent) began a one-year pilot mechanism to help businesses address intellectual property (IP)-related issues relating to the other country.

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China, Spain launch IP liaison pilot

On 1 October 2026, the China National Intellectual Property Administration and the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office began a one-year pilot mechanism to help businesses address intellectual property issues in the other country.

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CJEU sets limits on political use of reputed trademarks

On 8 September 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in Inter IKEA Systems BV v. Algemeen Vlaams Belang VZW (Case C-298/23) that political expression may amount to “due cause” for using a reputed trademark, but does not automatically justify that use.

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Cuba updates Madrid system trademark procedure

On 20 August 2026, the Government of Cuba notified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) of changes to its Madrid System declarations and introduced a 60-day period for responding to provisional refusals.

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India launches e-filing portal for GIs

On 15 September 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) launched the Geographical Indications (GI) e-Filing Portal.

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Indian court upholds earlier filing priority for 20-20 mark

On 28 July 2026, the Division Bench of the Delhi High Court dismissed Parle Products’s appeal in Parle Products Pvt Ltd v Registrar of Trade Marks Anr, holding that later commercial use could not defeat an earlier proposed-to-be-used application for the same mark.

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Korea tests new mark for GI-protected regional products

On 7 September 2026, the Ministry of Intellectual Property began a pilot scheme for a registration mark identifying regional products protected by geographical indication collective marks.

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Madrid Protocol fees revised for Canada

In accordance with the provisions of the Common Regulations under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization on 23 September 2026 announced the revised individual fees payable when Canada is designated in an international application or in an application for renewal of international registration or is a subject of subsequent designation.

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Madrid Protocol fees revised for Cuba

Based on a declaration from the Government of Cuba and in line with the Common Regulations under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization announced on 1 October 2026 the revised individual fees payable when Cuba is designated in an international application or in an application for renewal of international registration or is a subject of subsequent designation. The Government of Cuba also notified the Director General of the WIPO of its intention to withdraw its earlier declaration, under which it decided to receive individual fee amounts under Article 8(7) in two parts.

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UAE opens trademark filings for Class 33 alcoholic beverages

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Trade Mark Office began accepting trademark applications in Class 33 of the Nice Classification for alcoholic beverages with effect from 14 September 2026.

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USPTO switches to WIPO Madrid e-Filing

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently made the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO’s) Madrid e-Filing service the sole platform for new international trademark applications based on U.S. applications or registrations.

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