IP Briefings

Click on the links below to read our briefing notes on developments in IP law and practice:

EPO Divisionals - Handle with care! - Information about current issues surrounding divisional patent applications in the European Patent Office (August 2006 - see also the July 2007 posting below)

"Relative Grounds" to disappear from UK Trade Marks practice ? - A note about a significant forthcoming change to the examination of trade mark applications in the UK (August 2006)

Changes to UK Design Law - October 2006 - A note about the most significant of several changes to UK Design Law that took effect on 1 October 2006

France clears the way for reduction in European patent costs - The long-awaited London Agreement finally to enter into force? (December 2006)

EPO Enlarged Board delivers decision on divisional applications - Previous EPO practice endorsed by landmark decision (July 2007)

Central limitation of European patents - A new procedure makes it easier to keep patents valid and enforceable (September 2007)

Use-limited product protection for pharmaceutical products- Strengthened protection for new uses of known pharmaceutical products in Europe (September 2007)

New Referral to Enlarged Board of Appeal - Case G1/07 - What constitutes a surgical method? (September 2007)

New Referral to Enlarged Board of Appeal - Case G2/07 - Can methods for producng plants (or animals) that involve a mixture of traditional and biotechnological features be patented? (September 2007)