Agritech

Intellectual property for start-ups in a post-COVID world: part one – managing start-ups’ patents

Patents are one of the most well-known types of intellectual property (IP). However, what can be patented is often less understood by new entrepreneurs and innovators.

Remittal in EPO opposition appeal proceedings

The revised Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal (RPBA 2020) came into force on 1 January 2020. One of the revised rules covered ‘remittal’ – the practice of a Board of Appeal sending the case back to the department of first instance (the Opposition Division for oppositions) to continue examination.

Oral proceedings by video conference at the EPO

In oppositions and appeals at the European Patent Office (EPO), oral proceedings may be the final opportunity for a party to present submissions before an adverse decision is announced.

Reduced patent fees for small or micro entity businesses

A discussion of requirements, benefits and risk in Canada, Japan and the U.S.

New UK comparable rights post-Brexit

The United Kingdom has left the European Union. When the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, new national UK rights will be created automatically. We have been busy making preparations and Appleyard Lees is ready to ensure smooth management of your trade mark and design portfolio.

AI-driven trade mark service to make filing faster

G3/19 decision – a tale of broccoli, tomatoes and peppers

The Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBA) has ruled that plants or animals produced by an essentially biological process are not patentable in Decision G3/19 of 20 May 2020, a conclusion that goes against earlier Decisions in G2/131 and G2/121.

The Greenshoots Podcast by Appleyard Lees – episode 6 – challenges and shifting priorities for in-house inventors and IP teams post COVID-19 and beyond

Partners and patent attorneys Ean Davies and Adam Tindall discuss: Reimagining the in-house team/outside counsel relationship | Getting the best from private practice IP attorneys | IP during a recession

Unregistered design rights: is there still any point?

Unregistered design rights (UDR) protects the shape or configuration of the whole or part of an article, excluding surface decoration. The design must be original and must not be commonplace.

CRISPR: An update

What is CRISPR? Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) are a family of DNA sequences found in bacteria.

Pressing pause on intellectual property: Part three – trade marks

This three-part series examines how intellectual property protection can continue in a productive and effective way, during this time of remote working, shifting priorities, uncertainty and change.