21st Nov 2014
This month the European Patent Office (EPO) initiated its new PCT Direct service, which is aimed at improving the efficiency of the search process for International (PCT) applications that claim priority to an application that has previously been searched by the EPO by building on the search results and opinion issued by the EPO on […]
17th Nov 2014
The signatory States to the Agreement on the Unified Patent Court (UPC) recently met in Brussels to report on the ongoing national ratification processes. With France, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden having deposited their instruments of ratification earlier this year, several member States have expressed their hope to be able to ratify the Agreement in the […]
13th Nov 2014
It couldn’t last. As we reported in December 2013 and June 2014, the patentee-friendly UK Patent Box tax regime had attracted some criticism from our European neighbours. The UK government had insisted that the scheme was legal and was here-to-stay, but now it appears that it will only stay in a modified form. Despite the […]
12th Nov 2014
We are pleased to announce that Reddie & Grose’s patent and trade mark practices have been recommended in Managing Intellectual Property’s Stars. Founded in 1990, Managing IP is the leading source of news and analysis on all intellectual property developments worldwide. Features include: news on major cases, deals and legislation; analysis of strategies and trends; […]
7th Nov 2014
Two recent decisions on comparison of very simple marks to assess the likelihood of confusion had very different outcomes and lead to a disappointing conclusion. The two decisions have a good deal in common – both arose from opposition proceedings in the Community office (OHIM), both, unusually, concerned marks registered and applied for in respect […]
3rd Nov 2014
Last month, the European Patent Office (EPO) issued a fresh, 2014 edition of its Guidelines for Examination (the ‘Guidelines’). Though not themselves legally binding, the Guidelines are the official authority on the proper application of all aspects of the law set out in the European Patent Convention (EPC) and its Implementing Regulations. As well as […]