In brief In recent years, intellectual property (IP) has become an increasingly important area of application for international sanctions. While sanctions have traditionally focused on restricting trade in goods, services, financial transactions and the movement of individuals, the scope has broadened to include intangible assets such as patents, trade secrets and software. This development reflects a growing recognition that IP rights are strategic assets that underpin critical technologies and industries. By restricting access to IP,…
The EU Commission has issued a factsheet shedding light on the relationship between Incoterms and EU sanctions compliance. It makes clear that the Incoterms “Ex Works” rule—which shifts responsibility and risk to the importer/buyer from the moment of collecting the goods—does not exempt EU-based exporters or sellers from their legal obligations under EU sanctions law. The Commission underscores that adherence to EU sanctions is mandatory for all individuals and entities under EU jurisdiction, regardless of…
On 20 June 2025, the Swiss Federal Council announced that Switzerland is lifting its economic sanctions against Syria (see press release here). This decision is a move to align Switzerland with the EU’s decision of 27 May 2025 (see blog post here). The revision follows the initial easing of specific sanctions related to Syria’s energy and transport sectors, as well as certain financial services and banking relationships, implemented on 7 March 2025 (see press release here).…
As part of the Annual Compliance Conference webinar series, this session explored the evolving global sanctions landscape in relation to Russia, over three years since the first wave of sanctions following the outbreak of war in February 2022. The panel examined the current state of play, recent developments, and what may lie ahead for businesses navigating this complex environment. Sanctions developments:Speakers provided updates on the 17th EU sanctions package (May 2025), including measures targeting the…