Startup DeepSeek launched their AI-chatbot DeepSeek-R1 in January 2025 sending shockwaves throughout the tech world and the stock market.

Registered design protection is an effective way of protecting a product's market share from similar looking competing products and obtaining registered designs can significantly improve a company's position...

The EPO has announced that, following a Decision of the Administrative Council of 11 December 2025 (CA/D 9/25), a number of its official fees will increase from 1 April 2026.

The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) has reported that the Administrative Council of the EPO passed a package of rules, on 13 October 2022, which includes an amendment of Rule...

The Unified Patent Court (UPC) has a complicated Court structure, including a Court of First Instance made up of Central, Local and Regional Divisions. For first instance proceedings, whether an action is heard...

After years in the planning, the Unified Patent Court (UPC) opened its doors for business on 1 June 2023, also bringing an end to the sunrise period for opting out European patents...

The Unified Patent Court (UPC) has a complicated Court structure, including a Court of First Instance made up of Central, Local and Regional Divisions. For first instance proceedings...

In the digital age, brand owners must proactively protect their trademarks online by registering them in key markets, monitoring for infringements, and using tools like trademark watching services and brand protection services to address violations swiftly.

Further to our previous bulletin reporting that the EPO were now accepting electronic signatures on assignments, a recent decision by an EPO Board of Appeal (J 0005/23) reverses this change and makes it clear that any assignments/licences/other agreements filed at the EPO must be hand signed by all parties for them to be recorded.

AI patent applications must sufficiently disclose training data to meet patent requirements, especially if proprietary datasets are used. Detailing dataset nature or referencing public data may ensure compliance, despite unresolved guidelines.

Oral proceedings before the Enlarged Board of Appeal (G1/24) were held on 28 March 2025, to discuss the extent to which the description can be used to interpret the claims when assessing patentability.

An example of the potential risks in using slogans to promote a brand has been encapsulated recently in a dispute between personal trainer Georgina Cox and the fitness...

At the end of last year, the EPO, in connection with the International Energy Agency (IEA), announced a study charting the rapid growth of power grid technologies essential for decarbonisation...

Registered design protection is an effective way of protecting a product's market share from similar looking competing products and obtaining registered designs can significantly improve a company's position in ...

The first trade mark for a smell has been accepted for advertisement in India.

One of the major sticking points in the creation of the Unitary Patent system (which now covers 18 EU countries) was the debate as to which languages would be used, and in what capacity.

The results of the government's second transformation consultation into the digital transformation of the UKIPO has been published.

As of 1 January 2026, the UPC has amended its fee structure, representing a significant increase.

The name "Brooklyn Beckham" was registered as a UK and EU trade mark in 2016 across a wide range of classes, including fashion, cosmetics, publishing and entertainment.

A recent decision of the Düsseldorf Local Division of the UPC hammers home its aim of achieving efficient and front-loaded procedure in Europe. The case reaffirms that...