6th Sep 2023
As discussed in our previous blogs[1],[2], companies working in the space sector, and in particular those who’s inventions are used in space, face additional challenges when it comes to protecting their innovation. This is because, as set out in Article II of the Outer Space Treaty, the fundamental basis for all legal framework in outer space, “Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.” While there are some exceptions due to specific treaties (such as the Intergovernmental Agreement for the International Space Station), in general Article II of the Outer Space Treaty means that patents, being territorial rights, cannot directly cover activity performed in outer space.
5th Feb 2021
Concise guide to Brexit and intellectual property
5th Feb 2021
Brexit and intellectual property – a guide
5th Feb 2021
Brexit and intellectual property – FAQs in detail
30th Nov 2020
The rules governing address for service for intellectual property rights in the United Kingdom will change after the UK exits the European Union on 1 January 2020. Subject to legislative implementation, which is expected this week, from 1 January 2021 the UKIPO will no longer accept addresses in the EEA as a valid address for service. As a result, any party wishing to file an application for a trade mark, patent or registered design will need to appoint an address for service within the UK, Gibraltar or the Channel Islands.
24th Nov 2020
Virgin Hyperloop recently made the news after announcing it had completed a successful trial of its hyperloop technology in Nevada, USA. During the test, human passengers were propelled along a test track in the desert at speeds of up to 107 mph (172 km/h). This article looks at how Virgin Hyperloop and its competitors are seeking to protect hyperloop innovations as they try to commercialise a technology that was first conceived over 100 years ago. A previous article looked at which companies are filing patents for e-scooter inventions
30th Oct 2020
On 17th October 2020, China approved the fourth amendment to the China Patent Law, which will come into effect on 1st June 2021. This amendment introduces a number of changes to Chinese patent law, with the introduction of patent term extensions (PTEs), patent term adjustments (PTAs) and a patent linkage system being of particular interest to both originator and generic pharmaceutical companies operating in China
30th Oct 2020
There has been a lot of discussion in recent years around how the patent system can be applied to, and indeed may need to be adapted in light of, artificial intelligence and related technologies. Indeed, our previous blogs have covered everything from the basics of AI patentability to whether AI can be designated as an inventor. There are also a number of reports and ongoing reviews into the subject, with most of the attention focused on how the patent system can help AI. However, a report from the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has turned that question around, and asked how AI can help the patent system.