With rising energy costs throughout the world, soaring food prices, global warming and the continuing conflict in Ukraine, the impact on agriculture and food production is profound. As food production is so fundamentally important, mankind has for centuries sought to improve farming methods and increase yields. For example, the invention of the hydroponic system (a…
Category: General IP
Beyond Brexit – how the UKIPO has fared
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…
Christmas gifts: unwrapping a wealth of intellectual property
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…
Viruses, Vaccines and IP
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…
How does intellectual property play a role during a recession?
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…
What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
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…
Myth no. 5 – Registering a company name gives you the right to use it
Over the next few weeks we’ll be debunking five common myths relating to intellectual property (IP); here is the first in the series. Starting a new business and finding a name for your company is exciting, but probably less so is the process of registering your company name for tax and legal purposes at HMRC…
Client Case Study: Forest Whole Foods
Forest Whole Foods is on a mission: “to make organic, whole food affordable so people can build themselves and the next generation with honest, healthy food.” Their mantra is “to make a natural life accessible so that more people are eating real food and cooking from scratch.” Forest Whole Foods is an online organic food…
Client Case Study: The Pitch-Saver Sign
Client Case Study: The Pitch-Saver Sign As the owner of a motorhome who travelled regularly across the UK, Mike Jubb realised that the old-fashioned sign with a stake was not the best solution to reserving a pitch for his motorhome, especially on a hardstanding. Mike came up with the idea of using a durable, plastic…
Do your staff protect your IP?
Whether you’re firm is just starting out, you are a growing company or you own a large multi-national, you’re hopefully acutely aware of the role your employees must play in protecting your IP. The question is: are they? A recent survey carried out by data control specialists Clearswift found that an alarming number of employees…