News

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.

Big jury awards make headlines, but this case shows how appeals can completely flip the script. Here’s what went wrong — and what businesses should learn from it.