We’re all familiar with imitation handbags and dodgy ‘designer’ sunglasses that people might try to sell you while you’re on holiday but there are some common more everyday intellectual property issues out there that you may not have considered to pose an IP problem. You might have come across them under the guise of a…
There were many huge intellectual property cases in 2014. Some were mammoth due to the sheer size of awards, while others made a mark because of the products and services involved. As we begin to consider the cases that are likely to make the headlines in 2015 we take a little look back at three…
Why do I need a patent? If you’ve had a great idea for a new invention or you’re working hard on the development of one at the moment, it’s important to protect your invention with a patent to stop others copying your work. A patent means that no other company or individual can make, import,…
Most people know that that you can protect inventions with a patent, but the details are often shrouded in mystery. This guide introduces patents and takes you through the requirements for obtaining one. What is a patent? There are three main types of registered intellectual property: trademarks, registered designs, and patents. These rights protect entirely…
We often meet companies and individuals that have run into problems that could have been avoided if the right steps had been taken. Here are the top five causes of IP problems: 1. Not performing any trademark clearance searching Many people come up with great names for their businesses or products – memorable, inventive and…
As of April 2013 the UK government is offering a tax incentive to UK companies by reducing the rate of corporation tax payable on profits derived from patented technology to 10%. The 10% rate is not effective immediately, but the corporation tax rate for such profits will gradually reduce to reach 10 % in 2017.…
Many lone inventors ask this question during an initial consultation with us. What should they do first? File a patent application or develop a prototype? There is sometimes no definitive answer to the question as there can be arguments in favour of both. However, there are two main factors to consider that will often provide…
When first encountering the world of intellectual property; patents, trademarks and designs, often one of the first question asked is “have you done a search?” What do we mean by “a search” and is it undertaken simply to jump through the hoops of the patenting or registration process? Fundamentally any intellectual property rights are a…
There seem to be obstacles placed in the way of obtaining a patent for software in Europe and especially in the UK. Is this so? First, let us look at the legal position. Legal Background The UK Patents Act 1977 section 1.(2) excludes from being an invention for the purposes of the Act in section…
