Expanding into international markets requires more than product development and marketing strategy. Many businesses overlook critical trade mark protection, risking expensive rebranding, legal disputes, and delayed market entry when their brand names conflict with existing registrations or carry unintended meanings abroad. Understanding territorial trade mark rights and implementing proactive filing strategies can prevent these costly mistakes before they derail your global expansion plans.

The UKIPO has launched its long-awaited consultation on reforming UK design law. The proposals are wide-ranging and, if implemented, could significantly reshape the UK's design protection framework.

Since the introduction of the UPC in 2023, parties challenging the validity of a European patent have, in many cases, had the option of filing an opposition before the EPO, filing a revocation action before the UPC, or pursing both in parallel.

Following on from the first part of our miniseries, where we explored IP specific funding options and fee reductions for green tech start-ups...

The UKIPO reintroduced its IP Advance scheme, offering funding for IP audits and strategy implementation to eligible start-ups and SMEs, covering up to £2250 for IP services.

The UK Intellectual Property Office has released new statutory guidance following the Supreme Court's landmark Emotional Perception AI judgment, fundamentally changing how patent examiners assess excluded subject matter. This guidance clarifies the treatment of artificial neural networks, quantum computers, and other emerging technologies under patent law, while aligning UK examination procedures more closely with European Patent Office practices.

In a landmark decision issued on Tuesday, the UPC Court of Appeal has found Amgen's PCSK9 antibody patent EP3666797 to be valid. At first-instance, the UPC's Munich Central Division had found the antibody claims...

In July 2024, we published our comments on the appeal case referring to a "gathered sheet" which led to the following three questions regarding claim interpretation being referred to the Enlarged Board of Appeal...

A preliminary opinion of the Enlarged Board of Appeal has issued in G 1/25, the referral regarding amendment of the description when inconsistencies arise after amendment of the claims.

Outdoor apparel brand Patagonia and drag performer and entrepreneur Pattie Gonia have become embroiled in a high-profile trade mark dispute, highlighting the increasing intersection between intellectual property...

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics in food technology may lead to new innovations. From personalized nutrition to smart packaging solutions...

Can a product be simultaneously available and unavailable to the public? In T 0438/19 , the Board grappled with questions regarding the criteria that must be met for a product to form part of the state...

Early last year, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) confirmed two important points regarding design rights in the EU...

The European Patent Office's Enlarged Board of Appeal is considering whether assumed infringers who intervene during the appeal stage of opposition proceedings can acquire appellant status. This would enable them to continue proceedings if all appeals are withdrawn.

The European patent litigation battleground is shifting with increasing uptake in the UPC. The possibility of simultaneously pursuing (or defending against) a UPC revocation action and an EPO opposition has emerged...

This article provides a brief explanation of a "licence of right", both in respect of a UK national or EP(UK) patent (via the UKIPO), or a German national patent or an EP(DE)...

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced significant changes to the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification System, the international standard for classifying goods and services in trademark...

Following the recent Court of Appeal decision finding in favour of Thatchers Cider that Aldi had infringed their Trade Mark, I wanted to take a wider look at some past IP...

Sustainability is no longer a niche concern within the cosmetics and skincare sector. Increasingly, brands are being challenged by consumers, retailers and regulators to reduce waste and demonstrate meaningful environmental credentials.

Welcome to the third part of our mini series regarding funding for green tech start-ups, which is about the UK's Patent Box scheme.