The Mobile World Congress 2026 (MWC), to be held in Barcelona from 2-5 March 2026, will once again bring together the world’s leading technology and telecommunications companies in an environment of innovation, product launches and strong media and commercial exposure. Once again this year, the protection of intellectual property assets will be of decisive importance.

In this regard, the Protocol for On-Call and Rapid Action Service adopted jointly by the Judges of the Commercial Section of the Court of Instance of Barcelona and the Judges of the Commercial Court of Alicante (European Union Trade Mark Court in Spain, First Instance) will be operational throughout the month of February and on the days of the event, offering a preferential, streamlined and specifically designed judicial response to the risks that occur within the framework of the MWC. The cooperation demonstrated between the courts of Barcelona and Alicante guarantees the companies participating in the MWC a preferential and priority judicial action in relation to possible conflicts arising between the companies participating in the event and involving intellectual property rights as well as assets subject to protection via trade secrets.

This Protocol speeds up the processing of essential actions for the defence of Intellectual Property rights, ranging from the filing of preliminary proceedings to the adoption of injunctive measures, including fact-finding proceedings or the management of preventive writs. As a result, the case can be processed in as little as 48 hours.

The scope of the Protocol also reinforces the protection of trade secrets, applying specific confidentiality measures for sensitive documentation, prototypes, technical information or software provided in MWC-related proceedings. Similarly, intervention in new technological areas is envisaged, including actions in virtual environments, web3 and/or in relation to content and decisions generated by artificial intelligence systems.

In the Trademarks & Brand Intelligence and Legal departments at PONS IP, we work together to offer companies a preventive and strategic approach. While the Brand Intelligence team identifies potential risks of infringement, misuse or imitation that could lead to conflict, the Legal team activates the necessary procedural tools to provide an immediate response and minimise any operational impact on stands, meetings or demonstrations during the congress.

Practical recommendations for technology and telecommunications companies

At PONS IP, we recommend the following preventive actions for attendees and participants at the Mobile World Congress:

• Map out your risks and intangible asset portfolio before the event.
• Document ownership and check the validity of your rights.
• Consider filing a preventive writ if you believe there is a real risk of conflict.
• Prepare a legally valid evidence pack including snapshots, catalogue files, photos of the stand and technical documentation.
• Review your confidentiality contracts or NDAs as well as internal information flow procedures.

If you need to prepare for the MWC in advance, our team can help you. At PONS IP, we are ready to accompany you before and during the Mobile World Congress with a solid strategy to protect your intangible assets in such a competitive environment as Barcelona. Whether it is to prepare for risks, review documentation, prepare preventive documents or act quickly in the event of any conflict between holders of intellectual property rights, our multidisciplinary team is at your disposal to offer you an immediate and effective response, adapted to your needs.

Contact our team now:

Pablo López Ronda. Director of Brands & Brand Intelligence – plopez@ponsip.com

José Carlos Erdozain. Of Counsel and Director of the Legal Advisory Area – jerdozain@ponsip.com

Emilia López Camba. Trademark Attorney, Legal Department – emlopez@ponsip.com