IP in the news

Detained fake goods increase in the EU

Оstrich replica
photo: analogicus, on Pixabay

Approximately 86 million fake items were detained in the European Union in 2021, an increase of almost 31 % compared to 2020, according to a joint report by the EUIPO and the European Commission. However, the estimated value of fake items detained in the EU amounted to over EUR 1.9 billion, a decrease of circa 3 % in 2021 compared to 2020.

Viva Magenta is the colour of the year 2023

Viva Magenta
photo: My Modern Met

Every year, Pantone announces its color for the new year, which hopes to inspire creators across all fields. Now, the intense and eye-catching Viva Magenta 18-1750 has been named as the Color of the Year 2023, evoking feelings of celebration and possibility after a few rough years. This shade, which has its origins in a natural red dye, signals the world of design is ready to come back roaring, especially in the digital realm.

This Futuristic 3D-Printed Thingy Is the nFrontier UILA, a Car and e-Bike Hybrid

car
photo: autoevolution

Who says we have to choose between driving to work or riding a bike? The idea of an electric vehicle that would bridge the gap between the two is not new; in fact, it goes farther back than the rise of electric vehicles to prominence. Whether called a carcycle, a car-bike, or car-ebike, this vehicle is best described as the illegitimate child between a small passenger car and an electric bicycle.

Beewise: out-of-the-box thinking to save the world’s bees

Bees are the most important pollinators in the insect world and play a central role in ensuring the global food supply. Without pollination, many plants cannot reproduce. Saar Safra, CEO of Israeli start-up Beewise, is on a mission to save bees − and at scale − using artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision and robotics. Mr. Safra explains how Beewise’s high-tech solution is helping to save the world’s bees.

‘Aito saunapalvikinkku'/‘Äkta basturökt skinka' - a new geographical indication from Finland

The Commission approved a new geographical indication from Finland: ‘Aito saunapalvikinkku'/‘Äkta basturökt skinka', a meat product made from whole-muscle ham. The product is smoked on alder wood using a direct smoking method in a smoke sauna. This specific process is strongly rooted in Finnish sauna culture, which underpins the distinction from other countries and their smoked products. ‘Aito saunapalvikinkku'/‘Äkta basturökt skinka' has a fairly dry surface, but a succulent texture.

Has a Mondrian work been exhibited upside down for 75 years?

pic
photo: © The Art Newspaper
New York City I (1941) — an abstract work composed of vertical and horizontal lines in red, yellow and blue—has been displayed with its five most densely spaced lines at the bottom of the picture since 1945. However, the work is orientated the other way in a photograph taken in Mondrian’s studio shortly after his death in 1944, showing the closely spaced lines at the top.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa is a popular subject for LEGO enthusiasts

Great Wave off Kanagawa
photo: kottke.org

There’s rumoured LEGO Art set coming in 2023 of The Great Wave off Kanagawa, but it’s not the first time it’s been done. The Great Wave off Kanagawa, created as a woodblock print in 1831 by the artist Hokusai is one of the most famous pieces of Japanese art. The rumour mill suggests that, in the footsteps of the Ideas set, 21333 Vincent van Gogh – The Starry Night, The Great Wave will also be replicated as a LEGO set. This time, however, it’s likely to be as part of the Art theme, rather than Ideas.