11th Mar 2024
From 1 April 2024, the EPO will introduce measures to reduce the official fees payable on European patent applications filed by micro-entities, including innovators, entrepreneurs, universities and microenterprises. The EPO state that “the new scheme aims to support the growth and development of smaller and less experienced European entities by making it easier for them to access the European patent system”.
14th Feb 2024
A recent Judgment, Emotional Perception AI Ltd v Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks [2023] EWHC 2948, in relation to an appeal against a decision of the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has paved the way for the UKIPO to (at least temporarily) adjust its approach to dealing with patent applications that relate to artificial neural networks (ANNs).
7th Feb 2024
We announce the upcoming retirement of two of our longest-serving and greatly valued Partners. Patrick Lloyd and Simon Goodman, who first joined the firm as trainees in 1987 and 1988 respectively, will retire on 31 March 2024, after over 30 years of exemplary leadership and dedication.
5th Feb 2024
For many, January is a time to commit to resolutions and lifestyle changes. No surprise then, that it has become synonymous with Veganuary, a campaign to persuade consumers to adopt a vegan diet for the first month of the year. In this blog we consider the respective trade mark strategies of Veganuary and the Vegan Society in protecting their IP in support of their promotion of the vegan lifestyle.
2nd Feb 2024
On 31 December 2020, the UK formally left the European Union (EU) single market and customs union – a process known informally as “Brexit”. Plant varieties which were protected by EU Community Plant Variety Rights (CPVRs) granted on or before that date were automatically afforded corresponding UK rights, called “Retained EU Plant Variety Rights” (aka UK plant variety right “Brexit clones”). The UK’s Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) advised that right holders wishing to keep their Retained EU Plant Variety Rights in force should, by 1 January 2024, provide details of a name and address of an agent in the UK together with a signed authorisation of agent form.
31st Jan 2024
On 26 January 2024, the Headquarters Agreement was signed by the President of the Court of Appeal of the Unified Patent Court (UPC), Klaus Grabinski, and the Director General for Europe of the Italian Foreign Ministry, Nicola Verola, formally confirming the location of the third section of the Central Division of the UPC in Milan.
23rd Jan 2024
The NatWest Group have just launched a new lending proposition for high-growth businesses that enables them to borrow against the value of their IP portfolio.
14th Dec 2023
Our trainee recruitment cycle takes place from September – December each year, with a start date of the following September.