Insights

European patent law differs in some significant aspects from the law in others countries, in particular the United States. Our briefing note on “European Practice for Overseas Attorneys” discusses some more general issues to bear in mind when drafting. This note provides some more detailed tips on drafting European patent applications so that some common problems can be avoided.

Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) are a form of patent term extension.

Can we apply for patent protection for our new app?

We’re about to launch a unique software product that correlates the weather observations from multiple satellites. It’s a niche market and we’re confident that there’s no other program that interleaves the data as quickly or efficiently as the algorithms that we’ve developed. The results can be downloaded and displayed via a smart phone app.

The examination procedure in European patent applications is primarily conducted in writing. However, all applicants have the right to be heard in Oral Proceedings. This can be a very useful procedure if the progress made in written correspondence is unsatisfactory. This briefing note provides an overview of such Oral Proceedings.

The responsibility for examining European patent applications rests with an Examining Division. Once the Examining Division is satisfied that an application complies with all the requirements of the European Patent Convention (EPC), the applicant is notified of the intention of the European Patent Office (EPO) to grant a patent.

We have put together a handy list of organisations that provide business support relating to a variety of issues ranging from intellectual property (IP) to funding. Many of the resources can be accessed free of charge by anyone, but some of the programmes and funding opportunities are only available to UK businesses.

Given that the ‘average consumer’ is a legal construct, and ‘honest use in industrial and commercial matters’ as well as ‘honest concurrent use’ are considered objectively, it is questionable whether actual witnesses are going to be of any real assistance to the court in deciding these matters.

TODAY, plastics are everywhere, but 120 years ago the realisation of a useable plastic product had been frustratingly illusive. The potential of phenol-formaldahyde resins was well known, but scientists had been unable to make anything other than a hard, insoluble, infusible mass. That was, until Baekeland developed a new process to create the first synthetic plastic.

As a diverse and inclusive workplace, we are extremely proud of the support and development we offer our female employees. This week celebrates International Women in Engineering day so what better time to highlight the achievements of the women in our Engineering team by taking the time to find out what inspired them to begin their career in the industry.

We interviewed Laura Ramsay, Partner in our Oxford office:

Today is International Women in Engineering day so what better time to celebrate the females in our Engineering team by taking the time to find out what inspired them to begin their career in this field and how the industry can kick-start change.

We interviewed Katie Dunne, Senior Associate in our London office: