News & Events about IP just for you

Entrepreneurs and small businesses play a critical role in the economy and this year World Intellectual Property Day focus’ on how they can use intellectual property (IP) rights to build “stronger, more competitive and resilient businesses.”

Some of the world’s best-known inventions and brands are the products of inventors and entrepreneurs who were savvy enough to protect their ideas. This week, to mark World IP Day we’ll be looking at five of our favourites, beginning with Thomas Edison.

Every day, businesses across the globe invest significant sums of money in building brands and launching products that have shaky foundations. Often, entrepreneurs and business owners are unaware of the risks until they find shots are being fired at them. Large companies are often willing to take on the fight since they have the necessary resources, but for some small businesses with less resources it can be a fight for their life…

The case of Colin the Caterpillar -v- Cuthbert the Caterpillar has caught the media’s attention.  In case you have been cocooned away and missed it, on 15^th April 2021, Marks and Spencer (M&S) launched high court proceedings in the UK against discount supermarket, Aldi, alleging trade mark infringement and passing off. 

The thing everyone wants to know now is whether the case has legs.

After a patent application has been filed, the inventor may be required to sign and submit various forms.  What happens if this is several years into the patent process, and the inventor can no longer be reached to sign these forms?  And what can you do now to prevent any complications from arising?

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) temporarily reduced or removed certain official fees associated with patents, trade marks and registered designs because of the disruption caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. However, the temporary fee changes are set to end on 31 March 2021.

If you own any intellectual property (IP) rights, are you concerned about your exposure to litigation, and how you will finance any legal action?  One way to address this concern is by means of an insurance policy.

A recent study performed by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has shown that companies which own at least one patent, trade mark or registered design generate on average 20% higher revenues per employee and pay their staff on average 19% higher wages compared to companies that do not own any of these intellectual property (IP) rights.