News

A Dutch chipmaker has landed at the center of a global dispute that’s putting Europe’s manufacturing stability to the test. Nexperia, headquartered in the Netherlands but owned by China’s Wingtech, has become the latest example of how intellectual property and international politics can collide — with real consequences for industries that rely on steady, secure supply chains.

At the end of September, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) hosted the European Association of Guarantee Institutions (AECM) in Alicante. The two-day meeting brought together public banks, EU institutions, and financial experts to discuss one key question: how can intellectual property — from trademarks to patents — help businesses access new sources of funding?

When Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and partners acquired Electronic Arts for $55 billion, they didn’t just buy a game publisher—they bought some of the most recognizable story worlds on the planet. The move signals a growing trend: gaming intellectual property (IP) is becoming the heartbeat of modern entertainment.

Last year, EU authorities seized more than 112 million fake products—from knock-off perfumes and toys to pirated retro games and even counterfeit vaping devices. The total value? A record-breaking €3.8 billion. These numbers, shared by the European Commission and EUIPO, show that while fewer items were caught compared to 2023, fakes are smarter more expensive.