The Mobile World Congress (MWC), the most important global event in the mobile telephony and communications sector, will take place in Barcelona this year from 3 to 6 March 2025. In view of the importance and volume of technological innovations to be presented, the Commercial Section of the Court of First Instance of Barcelona and the European Union Trademark Court of First Instance of Alicante have agreed to establish a Fast Action Protocol once again this year.
This protocol, which will be in effect throughout the month of February and during the event, aims to provide preferential processing for preliminary proceedings and verification of facts, as well as for urgent precautionary measures in the event of any conflict that may arise between the event participants and holders of intellectual and industrial property rights.
The judges undertake to resolve requests within specified deadlines: within 48 hours for preliminary proceedings and requests for precautionary measures without a hearing of the defendant; and within a maximum period of ten days for requests that require a hearing. Moreover, the admission of preventive letters will be resolved within 24 hours. This time structure seeks to ensure timely intervention and avoid the adoption of precautionary measures without adequate protection of the rights of the defendants.
The Protocol, an example of success in the defence of industrial and intellectual property rights
This key protocol, which will be applied in 2025 at the MWC for the eleventh consecutive year, also includes the possibility of filing preventive letters with great effectiveness in avoiding the adoption of precautionary measures inaudita parte.
Since its implementation in 2014, 188 registered cases have been managed – 172 patents, 15 trademarks and one trade secret – with most cases being resolved within the agreed deadlines, between 24 and 48 hours. Of these cases, 150 were preventive letters, 24 requested precautionary measures and 14 were matters of fact verification, which reflects the commitment of the judicial system to streamline the protection of rights and at the same time, the widespread use of preventive letters.
In addition to these judicial measures, the effectiveness of collaboration with entities such as GSMA, Fira de Barcelona and local security forces, such as the Mossos d’Esquadra, has been proven, all of these entities being essential for the implementation of this protocol, which strengthens the support network in safeguarding the interests of exhibitors and participants. The protocol also takes into account confidentiality and the protection of trade secrets, which is crucial in a context where innovation and competition are the norm. In short, the Fast Action Protocol not only ensures the effective protection of intellectual property rights, but also establishes a swift and effective framework for conflict resolution, strengthening confidence in an event that promotes technological innovation and business development at a global level.
Defending our IP rights at MWC 2025
At PONS IP, we strongly recommend that companies use preventive letters to anticipate any potential conflict. Letters of this type are effective in countering requests for precautionary measures inaudita parte, thus preventing them from being adopted without a hearing of the defendant, which is essential to protect patents as well as trademarks and designs in a competitive environment such as that of the MWC.
And, in any case, if you are going to participate in the MWC in Barcelona, our team of lawyers at PONS IP will be available to offer you assistance before and during the event. With the protocol entering into force on 1 February and which will be effective during the days of the event, you will be able to have the support necessary to protect your rights at this important congress.
If you need more information, please contact Jorge Vicente, Intellectual Property Lawyer | Litigation Department – jvicente@ponsip.com