Knowledge Hub

After contributing as part of the group providing the CIPA response to the UKIPO consultation on standard essential patents, AA Thornton’s Geoff Hussey recently took part in panel discussion on SEPs and IP at the delayed “CIPA Computer Technology Spring Seminar”, chaired by Simon Davies.  The impressive list of speakers included M Jorge Cardoso of… Read more »

There has been much talk about stopping use of internal combustion (IC) engines, but reports of the death of the engine may have been exaggerated. Cummins has produced conventional engines for many years starting with diesel and later including natural gas as fuel sources.  As part of commitment to sustainability it is also looking to… Read more »

I reported on the post-Brexit consultation launched by the UK government into the design system here, and the government’s response was recently published here. This article looks at the main conclusions offered in the government response.  If you were envisaging that the response would set out a clear plan for the reform of the system… Read more »

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” The words of Aldous Huxley depict the unique ability of music to convey emotion and summon an instinctual sentimental response within us all. Although many believe this to be an ineffable reaction which defies scientific explanation, a growing body of research appears to… Read more »

In the recent case of Shazam v Only Fools The Dining Experience and Others [2022] EWHC 1379 (IPEC) the IPEC ruled that copyright could subsist in a fictional character considered a ‘literary work’ under UK copyright law. The case concerned the character Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter from the long-running TV series Only Fools and Horses… Read more »

We wish to thank our clients once again for the positive feedback. You have put our patent practice at the top of Legal500 rankings for 2022 as well as  recommending us for various awards. This week saw publication of the report ‘IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals 2022’ in which Dr Craig… Read more »

The IP Space – Edition 2 Greetings once more Earthlings…!…  Welcome back to this new series of short articles reporting on the latest challenges and successes in the Space Industry. The Space Industry takes inspiration from all areas of life, including the way we eat our food it seems! If you enjoy eating food the… Read more »

Amendments to the Patent Description: To what extent? The recent decision by the European Patent Office (EPO)’s Technical Board of Appeal 1024/18 implies the EPO is likely to be very strict with amendments of the description to be consistent with the subject matter of the allowed claims. It has long been the practice by the… Read more »

EPO releases findings of survey on grace period for patents On 17 June 2022, the EPO reported the results of a survey conducted last winter to understand the impact of the novelty requirements of the European Patent Convention (EPC) on its users. In particular, the survey focused on the lack of a “grace period” under… Read more »

IRONMAN records smashed Ironman?  Superman.   7 and 8 hour male and female IRONMAN barriers smashed in an astonishing display of athletic endurance. Patent Attorney and keen “endurance eventer” Stuart Greenwood dives into the world of IRONMAN to report on the breaking of the latest seemingly unbreakable athletic barrier and the technology that helped make it possible…. Read more »