25th Mar 2014
Sustained biopharmaceutical innovation is demanding, with companies facing a myriad of challenges including those associated with initial drug discovery, developmental lead times and satisfying the regulatory conditions required to introduce novel therapeutics onto the market. IP is considered to be a biopharmaceutical company’s most valuable resource in meeting such challenges and driving innovation. In a […]
13th Mar 2014
The hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) sector, which relates to vehicles having both a conventional engine and an electric motor for motive power, is a key area for many carmakers battling to meet strict efficiency and emissions regulations, as it enables fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to be decreased. This field is distinct from the electric vehicle […]
10th Mar 2014
On 7th August 2013, Austria became the first country to ratify the Agreement on the Unified Patent Court. The EPO President’s blog of 21st February 2014 suggests that they may soon be joined by two others. The French National Assembly is reported to have ratified the Agreement and dispatched it (presumably by scooter courier) to President […]
7th Mar 2014
Traditionally the rule in UK litigation was that the losing party paid the winning party’s costs. In practice, this typically amounted to an award of about 70% of the actual costs. Courts were, however, given latitude to vary costs awards having regard to the specific circumstances of the case, including: the conduct of all the […]
6th Mar 2014
In the spirit of Shrove Tuesday Robert Sackin puts Espacenet through its paces whilst on the hunt for patents relating to pancake tossing. My turn to write an article for our website coincided with pancake day. Sat at my desk, keen to get home punctually to stuff my pancake-hungry children with pancakes, I was eager […]
5th Mar 2014
There are currently a number of differences between UK and EU design law, which can cause problems for applicants and practitioners alike. Christopher Smith discusses how the proposed UK IP Bill will harmonize the various design laws and how applicants might benefit. As we have discussed previously, the proposed UK IP Bill contains a number […]