Monthly Archives: April 2018

The EPO recently announced three fee reducing measures, which came into force on 1 April 2018. The EPO will not be adjusting fees due to inflation for the period 2018-2020 (typically there is a biennial inflation-based adjustment of fees) PCT search and examination fees are reduced by EUR100 The discount on examination fees for applications… Read more »

The UK has now deposited its instrument of ratification of the Agreement on the Unified Patent Court (UPCA) with the European Commission in Brussels, thereby completing the legal necessities for the UK to take part in the Court. The UK became a signatory to the UPCA in February 2013 and, in November 2016, committed to… Read more »

Each year on the 26th April, we celebrate World Intellectual Property Day, to remind ourselves how intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright) encourage innovation and creativity. This year’s World Intellectual Property Day campaign celebrates the brilliance, ingenuity, curiosity and courage of the women who are driving change in our world and shaping our… Read more »

In March 2018 the General Court held that the Registered Community Design No 257001-0001 owned by Crocs, Inc was invalid as it was lacking in novelty on the basis of prior disclosures of its design. A proprietor of a Registered Community Design (RCD) right has a 25 year monopoly on its design which gives them… Read more »

We are pleased to learn that the Trademark Clearing House (TMCH) has launched a new Trade Mark Registry Exchange (TREx) service which is designed to help trade mark owners protect their brands on the Internet. Many trade mark owners will already be aware that you can register your trade marks in the TMCH. When a… Read more »