Following on from Part 1, we explore further questions relating to applying for and owning a patent, particularly cases where there are multiple owners. As a patent is a form of property, how does it work to have two or more joint owners? In the...
In this series of three articles, we explore common and slightly less common questions regarding Applying for and Owning a British or European Patent. Who can apply for a patent? Under UK law, anyone can apply for a patent, whether by themselves...
BBC Intellectual Property can be a difficult topic to publicize, so credit is due to the BBC for continuing to keep the fundamentals of the patent system in the public (Dragon’s) eye year after year. Auntie Beeb’s mission statement is to inform, educate...
The European Patent Office has announced forthcoming changes to its fees, in line with its usual practice of biennial fee adjustments. The January 2020 edition of the EPO Official Journal sets out further details of the fees that will be applicable from...
The UK formally leaves the EU today on, 31 January 2020. A transition period will run up until the end of 2020. Regardless of whether a modified version of the Withdrawal Agreement is negotiated, it is unlikely that the current draft proposals/terms relating to...
Competitor patents – if your competitor has a pending European patent application that could ultimately prove a problem for you, consider filing ‘observations’ on the patentability of their invention.
Although the Examiner is not obliged to take your submission into account, well thought out observations often prove very influential in such cases.