IP Insights: November 2025

Article 50 of the EU AI Act introduces sweeping transparency obligations for AI providers and deployers, requiring disclosure of AI interactions, marking of AI-generated content, and labeling of deepfakes. These rules carry significant commercial and IP implications for businesses using AI to create marketing materials, synthetic influencers, and other valuable assets.

Generative AI has created a legal vacuum where synthetic images and deepfakes can be created and shared without consent, yet English law offers no standalone "image right" to protect individuals. With celebrities like Lisa Riley and over 80 performers demanding reform, the question is whether the UK's patchwork of intellectual property, data protection, and common law protections can adequately address this rapidly evolving threat to personal autonomy and reputation.

As AI voice cloning technology becomes increasingly sophisticated and accessible, the Save Our Voices Now campaign calls for statutory rights allowing individuals to own and control their voice as intellectual property. This article examines whether existing UK law sufficiently protects one of our most personal and recognisable attributes, exploring copyright, trade marks, passing off, and the practical steps individuals and businesses can take.

The Emotional Perception saga has become a defining case for patenting AI inventions in the UK. Most significantly, the Supreme Court judgement1 of February 2026 has reformed the examination of mixed-typed inventions in general, i.e. inventions containing a ‘mixture’ of technical and non-technical features.

The UK High Court has delivered a landmark ruling on online marketplace liability, dismissing Shein's copyright infringement claims against Temu and clarifying when platforms can be held responsible for third-party content. The judgment examines the boundaries of copyright ownership in complex supply chains and establishes important precedents for how marketplace operators should respond to infringement allegations.

Trademark phishing campaigns are rising, with businesses increasingly being targeted by highly sophisticated, AI-driven trademark scams. Alice Wright analyses a prominent registration scam recently circulating in the UK to offer advice on how to identify trademark scams, what immediate steps to take if targeted, and how to proactively protect your business through legitimate channels.

The ongoing commercial rivalry between fast-fashion giants Shein and Temu has evolved into one of the most significant intellectual property disputes in the e-commerce sector. This landmark case examines critical questions about copyright ownership, platform liability, and the legal responsibilities of online marketplaces in the digital age.

The UPC Court of Appeal has confirmed that the Unified Patent Court can exercise jurisdiction over European patent applications, provided they are granted before the defendant files their statement of defence. This landmark decision means patent holders may now be locked into the UPC system even before their patents are officially granted, fundamentally changing the strategic timing considerations for opting out of UPC jurisdiction.

The High Court has awarded the Swatch Group US$11.6 million in negotiation damages against Samsung for trade mark infringements involving watch face apps on the Galaxy App store. Rejecting both parties' extreme valuations of US$170 million and US$301, the court established important principles for assessing damages when brand owners don't license their marks and no comparable market royalties exist.

Understanding the financial commitment of patent maintenance is essential for long-term IP protection. UK patents require annual renewal fees starting four years after filing, with costs increasing progressively each year.

Advertisers using AI-generated content face complex transparency requirements that vary significantly between the UK and EU. While UK law focuses on preventing consumer deception without explicit AI labelling mandates, the EU AI Act introduces strict disclosure obligations for 'deep fakes' that could catch even UK-based campaigns if they reach EU audiences.

The UK Government has introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to address critical gaps in existing cyber security regulations, expanding coverage to data centres, managed service providers, and critical suppliers while granting regulators enhanced enforcement powers. With tightened incident reporting deadlines, turnover-based penalties up to £17 million, and mandatory supply chain resilience measures, organisations across essential services sectors must assess their readiness for compliance

After three years of evidence and testimony, Lady Justice Thirlwall has delivered a landmark report examining how Lucy Letby was able to murder seven babies and attempt to murder six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The findings reveal systemic failures in NHS governance, patient safety protocols, and leadership accountability that extend far beyond a single institution. NHS trusts now face fundamental questions about how they prioritize patient safety over reputation, respond to clinical warning

OpenAI's integration of advertisements into ChatGPT marks a significant shift in how retailers can reach consumers through conversational AI. As this emerging channel offers contextual relevance at moments of genuine purchasing intent, retailers must navigate complex advertising regulations, data protection requirements, and sector-specific rules to ensure compliance while capitalizing on this novel marketing opportunity.

In Apasen Limited v London Borough of Tower Hamlets [2026] EWHC 2239, the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) has confirmed that a contracting authority cannot rely on a contract award notice to defeat a set aside claim simply by publishing one - the notice must also be accurate.

The EU Cyber Resilience Act introduces mandatory reporting obligations for manufacturers of digital products, requiring them to notify authorities within 24 hours of discovering actively exploited vulnerabilities or severe security incidents. This regulation establishes strict timelines for early warnings, detailed vulnerability notifications, and final reports, fundamentally changing how manufacturers must respond to cybersecurity threats.

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) recently published its ‘Curate – Demand Connections Reform’ consultation, setting out proposals to reshape how data centre projects access and hold positions in the UK's electricity grid connection queue.

Swedish Insurtech Lassie has launched in the UK with a revolutionary pet insurance model that combines AI-powered claims processing, gamified health rewards, and personalized pet care guidance through a single app. The platform promises to settle claims in just six minutes and offers a prevention-first approach that could fundamentally reshape the traditional pet insurance market. With over 20 million UK pets currently uninsured, Lassie's innovative approach may finally bridge the gap between pet owners and

The EU Packaging Regulation introduces sweeping reforms to packaging and packaging waste legislation across all Member States, establishing requirements for the entire lifecycle of packaging from labelling to environmental sustainability. With ambitious targets to reduce packaging waste per capita by 15% by 2040 and mandatory recyclability standards taking effect from 2030, businesses involved in product packaging face significant compliance obligations that will fundamentally reshape how they design, manuf

As schools navigate the immediate pressures of 2025/26, several major legal and policy changes are already taking shape that will fundamentally reshape how schools operate from 2026/27 onwards. From the most significant employment law reforms in a generation to new AI regulations and the introduction of MAT-level Ofsted inspections, early preparation will be essential for school leaders who want to stay ahead of these transformative changes.