News & Events about IP just for you

Is it unethical to patent?

09/06/20 The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted many companies to invest time and effort in developing technology that is aimed at helping care for, test, or treat people suffering from the disease. In normal times, these might be considered normal commercial activities and would be considered for patenting without a second thought. However, the fact that these developments are typically not being motivated by pure commercial gain, but by a desire to do something for the public good causes many companies to question whether or not they should seeks patents or any other form of intellectual property protection.

EBA issues decision on the patentability of plants and animals

22/05/20 On 14 May 2020, the Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBA) at the European Patent Office (EPO) issued its much-awaited decision G 3/19 on the patentability of plants and animals, otherwise known as “Pepper”.

UPDATED - UK IPO support for those affected by Coronavirus

31/03/20 In brief, the UK IPO has indicated that it will use its discretionary powers (on a case-by-case basis) to extend time limits where possible under national and international law.

BREAKING NEWS - German Federal Constitutional Court decides on UPC complaint

20/03/20 The German Federal Constitutional Court has now issued its long-awaited decision (source) in case 2 BvR 739/17 which was a complaint against the German Ratification Law under which Germany was to ratify the UPC.

EUIPO extends all deadlines for Community Design and European Union Trade Marks

16/03/20 Last updated: 30 April 2020 The Executive Director of the EUIPO has today (29 April 2020) issued a decision regarding extensions for all time limits on trade mark and design matters at the EUIPO. In accordance with these decisions, all time limits expiring between 9 March 2020 and 17 May 2020 inclusive are extended until 18 May 2020.

EPO announces extensions to deadlines due to COVID-19

16/03/20 On Sunday 15 March 2020 the EPO published a notice advising it is invoking the provisions of Rule 134(2) EPC, and has extended all periods expiring on or after publication of the notice to 17 April 2020. This may be extended by the EPO upon publication of a further notice.

*Updated* “EPO Board of Appeal finds Broad Institute’s CRISPR patent to lack valid priority claim and upholds revocation of patent (T 0844/18)

06/03/20 Earlier this year, we reported on the EPO Board of Appeal’s decision to uphold the revocation of the Broad Institute’s CRISPR patent (here). Now it appears that the Broad Institute is gearing up to put forward a petition for review by the Enlarged Board of Appeal as a last resort to save their patent.

The UPC is dead, long live the UPC!

04/03/20 European patent attorneys have been getting excited about the Unitary Patent (UP) and Unified Patent Court (UPC) for years, writing articles, and giving talks and presentations about the ins-and-outs and twists-and-turns of the whole thing. So what is the current situation? What has happened now?

EPO official fees to increase on 1 April 2020

28/02/20 The EPO adjusts its fees every two years. The EPO has now announced the next set of fee adjustments, which will come into effect on 1 April 2020. Full details of the fee increases are listed here and here. Overall, the EPO has implemented a general inflation-based 4% increase in official fees.

Honouring LGBT+ Inventors

26/02/20 The month of February marks LGBT+ History Month, and this year the theme is “Outing the Past”. This means a celebration of the work of LGBT+ people throughout history, and the commemoration of their achievements and struggles. In this article, Renewals Administrator Holly Battrick looks back at the accomplishments of scientist Alan Turing and difficulty he faced as a gay man.