UK guidance on filing new trademark applications

UKIPO issued guidance on filing new trademark applications, outlining requirements for obtaining a filing date under the Trade Marks Act. The guidance specifies essential requirements (request for registration, applicant name/address, goods/services specification, mark representation) and non-essential requirements (use declaration, fees, form TM3, Nice classification class). The guidance applies to all entities seeking UK trademark registration.

International Trademark Procedures Under Madrid Protocol

The UK Intellectual Property Office published an examination guide on international trademark procedures under the Madrid Protocol. The guide explains procedures for UK examiners processing international trade marks designating the UK and for filing international applications based on UK national marks through WIPO. It covers eligibility criteria for using the Madrid System and filing requirements.

Nice Classification System for UK Trade Marks

UKIPO issued guidance on the Nice Classification system for UK trade marks, administered by WIPO and used by over 140 countries. The guide covers the 45-class system (Classes 1-34 for goods, Classes 35-45 for services), legal framework, and general classification principles. The 13th Edition of the International Classification came into force on 1st January 2026.

UK Trade Marks Manual - Examination Procedures

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) published its updated Trade Marks Manual examination guide for July 2025, providing procedural guidance to examiners on assessing trade mark registrability under the Trade Marks Act 1994. The guide clarifies that examination practice serves as non-binding guidelines, with each application to be evaluated on its individual merits. The update maintains existing law references including assimilated EU case law and the Directive 2015/2436.

Camsoft Data Systems, Inc. v. Southern Electronics Supply, Inc. - Writ Denial

The Louisiana Court of Appeal, First Circuit denied supervisory writs in Camsoft Data Systems, Inc. v. Southern Electronics Supply, Inc., docket number 2026 CW 0476. The court affirmed the denial without elaboration in a brief order, leaving the underlying 19th Judicial District Court ruling intact. No substantive ruling on the merits was issued.

Civil Actions for Nonconsensual Intimate Digital Depictions

Colorado enacted SB 25-288, creating a civil cause of action for nonconsensual disclosure of intimate digital depictions under the Preventing Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Digital Depictions Act. The law establishes definitions for AI-generated and computer-generated intimate imagery, and creates statutory damages and civil remedies for depicted individuals whose intimate images are disclosed without consent. The legislation takes effect August 6, 2025.

CSAM Reporting Requirements for Social Media Platforms

California Assembly Bill 1137 would amend Civil Code Sections 3273.65, 3273.66, 3273.67, and 3345.1 to strengthen child sexual abuse material (CSAM) reporting requirements for social media platforms. The bill failed in the Fiscal Committee and did not advance. Key provisions include requiring hash matching review processes, mandatory human review when no hash match exists, third-party audit requirements, and civil penalties for noncompliance.

Arkansas AI Content Ownership Rules

Arkansas enacted Act 927 establishing ownership rules for AI-generated content and model training. The law grants content ownership to the person providing input to a generative AI tool, and model training ownership to the person providing training data, subject to work-for-hire provisions for employees. The statute takes effect August 4, 2025.

Bill S-2 Indian Act Registration Amendments

Bill S-2 proposes amendments to the Indian Act registration provisions. The Senate has completed its consideration, with the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples reporting the bill with amendments on November 25, 2025. The bill has been referred to the House of Commons and is currently at second reading stage.

Combatting Hate Act

Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, has passed all stages in the House of Commons and is currently at second reading in the Senate as of March 26, 2026. The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights reviewed the bill and reported it with amendments on March 13, 2026. This proposed legislation would create new offences and measures to address hate-motivated conduct.