As technology continues to advance, the use of social media for business and dissemination of information grows, and COVID-19 issues continue to linger, the predominant changes in intellectual property protection show the following trends:

• the EU continues to find ways to facilitate the ease of IP protection through the Unitary Patent System;

• a new instability in terms of international licensing for SEPs and interpretation of FRAND terms is growing from changes in Chinese and US laws;

• COVID-related impacts continue to affect IP rights and enforcement efforts;

• AI as “inventors” is being questioned, while different countries implement use of AI at the Patent offices to facilitate examination review;

• the need for much more vigilant IP monitoring and enforcement on social media platforms continues to grow; and

• Asia has seen a significant increase in IP filings indicating an increased need for protect in Asian countries.

Read about recent changes in IP law in a year in review of 2021.