Blog
Research and Development Tax Relief
Robert Games | 19th April 2013
Companies that carry out innovative activities to technically improve products, processes, devices, materials and/or services are able to claim tax relief to reduce their tax bill or, for some loss-making companies, to claim a cash sum. Research and de …
European Patent System – Changing to a Single Common Patent ?
Adrian Hocking | 17th December 2012
The common single European patent system has long been proposed but never yet adopted. The present system provides for grant of a single European patent which covers 27 member states. Once granted, the European patent is ‘validated’ in the chosen membe …
Understanding the “without prejudice” marking
Frederick Noble | 26th October 2012
Correspondence between parties in dispute is often marked “without prejudice”, but what does this actually mean? A patent, registered or unregistered design, copyright, or trademark is a legal right which can be used in Court to prevent another person …
Copyright registration
Frederick Noble | 25th June 2012
We often receive enquiries about how to apply for copyright protection, and many people are surprised to learn that in fact they do not need to apply at all. Copyright subsists automatically in literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, films, sou …
Indian Patent Office grants licence for anti-cancer drug
Frederick Noble | 24th May 2012
Patents which protect life-saving drugs are often the subject of fierce controversy. Drug companies argue that, without the monopoly rights provided by patents, funding the lengthy research which is required to develop new drugs would become unviable. …
Patent Law Changes in Australia
Cloe Loo | 22nd May 2012
The Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Act has passed into law in Australia, with most provisions coming into effect on 15 April 2013. This brings major changes to the patent law in Australia, with the aim of better aligning patent …
Want a UK Patent Quickly?
Robert Games | 6th March 2012
Fast Track your UK Patent Application Through to Grant Typically, a UK patent application takes between 3 and 4 years to reach grant, which for many applicants can be too long. There are currently a number of ways in which an applicant or a prospective …
Major Changes Afoot in US Law
Robert Games | 6th March 2012
Important changes to the patent law in the USA are occurring. On 16 September 2011, President Barack Obama signed into law the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), in a bid to encourage innovation and to create more jobs. The AIA represents the most …
More Compensation for Employees
Robert Games | 23rd January 2012
Under UK patent law, if an employee creates an invention during the normal course of their duties or during duties specially assigned to them, and it is reasonable to expect an invention to result from those duties, then it is very likely that the pate …
Fast track for UK National Phase Application
Robert Games | 23rd January 2012
As of 28 May 2010, patent applicants can request their UK national phase application of their International Patent Application (PCT) to be fast tracked. To qualify for the fast track route, all claims present in the application on entry to the national …
