Knowledge Hub

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 »

The EU Parliament has now approved reforms to EU design law, we set out below some of the key changes.   What’s happening? Proposals to amend the law were suggested in November 2022. In December 2023, the provisional law was published and it was adopted by the European Parliament in March 2024. The new Directive… Read more »

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 »

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 »

We’re pleased to announce that AA Thornton IP LLP is shortlisted in three categories at the Managing IP Awards 2024. We also congratulate our partner Mike Jennings for his nomination as Patent Practitioner of the Year. Our firm is recognised for: UK Patent Disputes UK Trade Mark Disputes UK Patent Practitioner of the Year –… Read more »

In the recent appeals in the case of (1) Lidl Great Britain Limited and (2) Lidl Stiftung & Co KG v (1) Tesco Stores Limited and (2) Tesco plc [2024] EWCA Civ 262, the Court of Appeal has ruled in relation to Tesco’s appeal against the first instance findings that its Clubcard Prices logo infringed… Read more »

AA Thornton IP LLP is committed to playing a proactive role in supporting and enhancing the European patent system. In alignment with this commitment, our partner, Mike Jennings, will extend his involvement with the Standing Advisory Committee before the European Patent Office (SACEPO) by taking on two new roles for the 2024-2026 term. Mike will… Read more »

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 »

As of April 1, 2024, the European Patent Office (EPO) are implementing reduced fees for “micro-entities”, to support small-scale innovators. The scheme, will apply to both European patent applications and Euro-PCT applications, offering eligible entities a generous 30% reduction across all primary fees involved in the patent grant process. Eligibility Criteria To qualify for these… Read more »

Thomson Reuters has once again recognised AA Thornton’s Geoff Hussey as a Stand-out Lawyer in 2024.   The Sharplegal study by Thomson Reuters involves more than 2,000 senior in-house legal counsel globally nominating up to three lawyers. These lawyers are ones they’ve worked with over the past year who’ve significantly stood out to them, distinguishing… Read more »