A recent study carried out by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) looks at trends in patent applications made to their offices in the last 20 years (2000 – 2020) and these findings were analysed and compared to patent activity at the European Patent Office (EPO). Overall patent applications to the UKIPO have dropped during…
For some Brexit might seem like a distant memory. It was something that featured in our vocabulary on a daily basis from the referendum in June 2016 right up until the UK left the European Union on 31 December 2020 but then COVID came along. Brexit, for many, took a back seat. But the effects…
It’s that time of the year again when thoughts turn to all things Christmas. And boy do we all need some festive cheer to brighten up our moods as we approach the end of 2020. Although we are not aware of it, we are surrounded by all forms of intellectual property when we go…
As scientists across the globe are frantically trying to devise a vaccine to protect us against COVID-19, we thought we would take a brief look back at the development of vaccines over history. As far back as 1796 the first Smallpox vaccine was developed by physician Edward Jenner. He discovered that by applying a small…
With entire workforces laid off, factories and offices closed, and city streets practically deserted, it is clear that the Coronavirus (Covid-19) is having a crippling impact on the world economy. The draconian measures many countries have adopted to curb the spread of the virus have naturally led to a stark fall in economic output. With…
When we think about IP we generally think it refers to something that somebody owns but that you can’t see. IP is an intangible thing, a creation of the mind, of the intellect. It is protected by law in the form of patents, trademarks, designs and copyright enabling the owner to benefit financially from their…
Are you an inventor in need of a little inspiration? Or perhaps you are looking for advice on product development or IP rights? Then look no further as we have the seminar that will get you creating again. Our monthly seminars, held at The British Library in collaboration with product design agency Bang Creations will…
The European Patent Office has recently published its decision as to why two European patent applications were refused, on the grounds that the inventor in each case was an AI creation, a machine, and not an actual person. The machine, called “DABUS”, was named as the inventor in the patent application. See the full article…
In this age of celebrity endorsed products and lucrative licensing deals we are familiar with the rich and famous stamping their ‘identity’ into trademarks covering everything from perfume to pasta sauce and kitchenware to luxury watches. Lately however, this kind of intellectual property has taken a very royal turn and it seemed an opportune moment…
As the world looks back 50 years to the first moon landing in 1969 and those iconic words uttered by Neil Armstrong: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” it is easy to be caught up in the sheer wonder and awe of this incredible Apollo 11 mission. But the stark…
