IP Due Diligence & Freedom to Operate

UK Joins CPTPP and Secures Exemption from Grace Period Requirement

Good news for UK businesses, the UK Government has agreed a deal to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) with a well-negotiated exemption. The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between 11 countries, which reduces trade and investment barriers between members by eliminating tariffs and establishing common rules. The Agreement includes… Read more »

Iceland (country) v Iceland (supermarket) – another chapter of the trade mark saga closed

In September 2022, I considered some recent developments in the Iceland trade mark saga in this article. Following those developments, the Grand Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (‘EUIPO’) has dismissed the appeals of Iceland Foods Limited (‘Iceland Foods’) and decided to invalidate its ICELAND trade marks. Background The British chain… Read more »

Why is Diligent Due Diligence Important?

Background The main value of many technology merger or acquisition deals may not lie in tangible property like buildings or stock inventory. Often the value lies in intellectual property (IP), and patents in particular. It is common practice for companies to monitor the R&D activities of others, particularly smaller innovators.  This is done with a… Read more »

She-Hulk in Trade Mark Trouble

In the ever-expanding Marvel Universe, their latest Disney + offering follows the life of Jen Walters, an LA Attorney and newly turned superhero following an accidental blood cross-contamination with her cousin Bruce Banner. Of all the lessons of heroism and sacrifice that can be taken from the superhero world, Episode 5 of She-Hulk; Attorney At… Read more »

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