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University Innovations – Who owns them?

University innovations

Universities have always been sources of innovative ideas as they, provide the infrastructure and environment to encourage research and development. Increasingly, universities are promoting commercialisation of some of those ideas to encourage entrepreneurship and generate revenue.  Many universities have some form of Technology Transfer Office where innovators can seek advice about taking their innovation further… Read more »

Statutory Acquiescence: Court of Appeal’s decision in ICE Southampton v Intelligent Cleaning

In the legal profession, cases act as landmarks that refine our grasp and enactment of law. Each verdict settles individual disputes and also enriches the tapestry of legal precedent. Among such key cases, the recent decision by the Court of Appeal in the clash between Industrial Cleaning Equipment (Southampton) Limited and Intelligent Cleaning Equipment Holdings… Read more »

How Patents Protect Innovations in Crewed Spaceflight

Space Suit - Space Patents

The following article was first published on Space East’s website. Manufacturers routinely obtain patent protection for different aspects of familiar everyday products. Smartphone companies and carmakers, for example, might each file hundreds, if not thousands, of patent applications annually. However, patents are also used to protect innovations in much more specialist fields, including space travel…. Read more »

IP-Driven Clean Technology – National Vision for Engineering Biology

National Vision for Engineering Biology

The UK government has recently positioned clean technology at the core of its new initiative, the “National Vision for Engineering Biology,” launched in December 2023. With a substantial £2 billion investment, this policy highlights the government’s dedication to driving sustainable innovation. The funding aims to advance research and development in areas such as renewable biofuels,… Read more »

Comma Conundrum: Avoiding Pitfalls in Patent Claims

Pitfall - Patent Claims

In Intellectual Property law, particularly for patents, precision in language and punctuation is crucial. If not used correctly, something as simple as a comma can lead to the loss of a patent. A pertinent illustration of this is the EPO’s Board of Appeal decision T 1473/19 in which a missing comma in a claim led… Read more »

Electric Rebirth: Rise of the Hummer EVs

Hummer EV driving through mud

Originally designed and built to provide the US army with ‘High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles’ (HMMWVs), it is believed that Arnold Schwarzenegger was instrumental in getting Hummers to the civilian market after they caught his attention when he was filming a movie. He was so taken with them that he approached the manufacturers and played… Read more »

Amazon and eBay spurious takedown requests – getting de-listed products re-listed

Ebay Amazon takedowns

As a firm, we have recently seen an increase in the number of entrepreneurs whose product listings on e-commerce platforms like Amazon or eBay have been removed due to takedown requests alleging intellectual property infringements. As specialists in intellectual property law, we are used to dealing with situations where the question of infringement is not… Read more »

Trade Mark Enforcement in EU: Opting for a Preferred Jurisdiction

Vogue - Preferred Jurisdiction EU

A recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) confirms that unrelated defendants domiciled in different member states can be sued in a single court if they are connected by an exclusive distribution agreement. The Case: Beverage City Polska v Advance Magazine Publishers (Case C-832/21)   The Claimant Advance Magazine Publishers… Read more »

UK update on AI patentability – High Court overturns refusal for a trained Artificial Neural Network (ANN)

The UK High Court has overturned an earlier UKIPO refusal of a patent application for a trained Artificial Neural Network (ANN).This is encouraging for applicants who are investing in AI patenting in the UK.  The UKIPO quickly confirmed that it is changing its examination practice to reflect the court’s judgement.   The UKIPO’s earlier decision… Read more »

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