Region: Ireland

eircom, Ireland's largest ISP, and four major record companies have reached settlement over illegal downloading and peer-to-peer file sharing. eircom will now operate a "three strikes and you're out" policy: if suspected infringers ignore two warnings from the ISP, eircom will proceed to disconnect their internet service.

25 March 2009

The Irish government recently announced improved IP tax incentives in the hope that Ireland will become a global centre for IP development. It is also reported to be close to announcing a plan involving a range of tax incentives to entice foreign companies to establish research and development (R&D) activities in Ireland and to foster the development of indigenous R&D.

10 December 2008

Two recent cases before the Irish High Court highlight the value of an action for passing off as a means of protecting brand features in the absence of trademark registration. The first considered a claim against United Biscuits, while the second involved St Patrick’s Whiskey.

10 September 2008

Four major record companies have launched a case against Eircom, Ireland’s largest internet service provider, in conjunction with the Irish Recorded Music Association. They claim that Eircom is infringing their copyright through members who share and download copyrighted material.

25 June 2008

The High Court has held that Karen Millen had a valid unregistered Community design right in a top and two shirts, and that copying by Dunnes Stores infringed these protected rights. The court ordered Dunnes to stop selling the infringing goods, to deliver all remaining stock and to account for profits from these products.

13 February 2008

Ireland is one of the largest exporters of intellectual property in the world, an impressive achievement that owes much to its friendly tax approach to intellectual property. Companies that engage in IP licensing in Ireland can take advantage of many favourable tax provisions, as well as a 12.5% rate of corporation tax.

05 December 2007