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Do you need a Certification Mark or a Trade Mark?

What is a Certification Mark? The purpose of a Certification Mark is to tell the consumer that a product or service meets a specific standard set by a regulatory body. This criteria can include a variety of things such as; the goods and services have certain characteristics, or the user has certain qualifications. Some examples… Read more »

Global WIIN: Empowering women inventors through IP

When it comes to invention and scientific discovery, women have pioneered innovations that have reshaped our world. Ada Lovelace is one of the most notoble women inventors of recent history. She didn’t just write code; she imagined a future where computers would become an integral part of our lives, crafting the first algorithm intended for… Read more »

Tackling Plastic Pollution with Sustainable Innovations

The famous line from Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’, “You Either Die a Hero or Live Long Enough to See Yourself Become the Villain,” offers a compelling metaphor for the trajectory of several modern innovations. Initially, these breakthroughs are heralded as solutions to our most pressing challenges, embodying the pinnacle of human ingenuity and  revolutionising… Read more »

Intellectual Property and Sustainable Development Goals: Fuelling Global Progress

In a world facing significant challenges, the importance of human creativity and innovation cannot be overstated. As highlighted by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we need to find solutions to problems ranging from climate change and diminishing natural resources to widespread inequality and health crises. We need “to re-think how we live, work and… Read more »

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 »

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