The current European patent protection system is governed by the European Patent Convention (EPC, in force since 7 October 1977) which provides that, in each of the Contracting States, the European patent is to have the effect of and be subject to the same conditions as a national patent granted

The General Court of European Union (T-423/12, T-183/13 and T-184/13) confirms that there exists a likelihood of confusion between the figurative and word sign SKYPE and the word mark SKY In 2004 and 2005 Skype applied to the OHIM for registration of the figurative and word signs SKYPE as a Community