Knowledge Hub

The Legal 500 2019 edition has now been published and we are delighted that the firm has once again been ranked as a leading firm for both patents and trade marks, and that our level of service was recognised, once again, as “outstanding”: “The ‘excellent’ A.A. Thornton & Co. ‘goes the extra mile to provide… Read more »

The Internet of Things: The saviour of healthcare, or disaster waiting to happen? Business Insider defines the Internet of Things (“IoT”) as ‘a network of internet-connected objects able to collect and exchange data using embedded sensors’. Healthcare is a key area in which the IoT is set to revolutionise the way we live. The so-called Internet… Read more »

AA Thornton returns to PTMG in Dubrovnik! Consulting Patent Attorney Julie Barrett-Major  and Trade Mark Attorney Suzanne Power represented the firm at the Autumn Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group (PTMG) conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia from 3rd to 6th October 2018. Julie and Susie hosted a tea and round table event at the Hotel Croatia Cavtat just before the start of… Read more »

Our Cosmetics and Personal Care team returns to the in-cosmetics Formulations Summit – London 2018 Members of our Cosmetics and Personal Care team returned to the in-cosmetics Formulations Summit in London on 24 & 25 October 2018. The team in attendance included: Julie Barrett-Major, who spoke at both last year’s London Summit as well as this… Read more »

Protection for cannabis-based IP in the wake of announcement of impending legalisation of medicinal cannabis The legalisation of medicinal and recreational cannabis in several US states, Canada and some European countries has resulted in a new economic market rising from what was previously an illegal trade. Meanwhile, in the UK, the recent cases of Billy… Read more »

“If your hair is done properly and you’re wearing good shoes, you can get away with anything.” – Iris Apfel Introduction Not according to the EUIPO in the recent decision in Opposition No. B002757717 of J. Choo Limited v Liangliang Ren, when the Opposition Division handed down a decision to reject the mark: for “Electric… Read more »

EU: Falsified Medicines Directive: Implications for parallel importers and of Brexit This article was updated: 8 October 2018 Introduction to the Falsified Medicines Directive Directive 2011/62/EU, better known as “The Falsified Medicines Directive” or “FMD”, came into force on 2 January 2013, with the aim of preventing falsified medicines from entering the legitimate supply chain… Read more »

Brexit: EU Trade Marks and Community Designs, including if there is ‘no deal’ What is the current situation? The UK is to leave the EU (“Brexit”) on 29 March 2019. When Brexit becomes fully effective, EU unitary trade mark registrations (“EUTMs”) and registered Community designs (“RCDs”) will cease to have effect in the UK, but… Read more »

WIPO Magazine has announced[1] the launch of a new tool linking patents and drugs: Pat-INFORMED The concept The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), together with 20 participating global pharmaceutical companies, have joined forces to globalise the concept of the US’s ‘Orange Book’. Most drugs have… Read more »

“It’s immoral!” – Pitfalls of failing to register your trademarks; increased risks in China. Background: For a number of reasons, it is generally recognised as best practice is to secure a trade mark registration for your brands. Despite your best endeavours, however, trade mark applications can be rejected on a range of different grounds, including… Read more »