Brexit has happened. The United Kingdom is no longer a part of the European Union. However during 2020 we are in an Implementation Period before the full effect hits us. In 2021 I very much regret that Filemot will not be able to file any new European Trademark applications, so you would think that department
This post is addressed to my professional colleagues rather than my lay clients. If you will be travelling to Seattle for the International Trademark Association (INTA) meeting are a follower of social networks, then here are some fringe events that may be of interest to you. On Saturday, May 19 from 2 PM to 4
I have written a post on the SOLO blog about the various views of professional bodies for trademark agent and organisations that represent brand owners on the subject of Brexit. please read that if you want in-depth thoughts on this topic. The European commission is suggesting that brand owners need to take the lead and
On 12 July 2017 the Supreme Court issued a decision on a patent infringement case that rocked the patent profession. For many years we have written the most important part of the patent specification, the claim on the basis that it would be interpreted fairly literally- using what was called "purposive construction". This was despite
The UK IPO has published its response to the patent fee consultation launched in April 2017. They anticipate that the new fee structure to be introduced in April 2018, will result in a 10% drop in demand for initial applications. This seems unlikely. It will still be possible to file a patent application at the
On 1 October 2017 the rest of the reform package for the EUTM comes into force and we can expect another futile flurry of applications to register unusual trademarks as the requirement for graphic representation disappears. Even so we are still required to ensure that such signs are capable of :"being represented on the Register
For more years than anyone can remember, it has been recognised that patents are one of the barriers to free trade. If you have a free trade area like the European Union, surely it would be sensible to have patents that cover all of it or none of it, so once goods were on the
Jo Johnson, brother of the more famous Boris was appointed Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation in July 2016. In his list of responsibilities intellectual property is listed last, lets hope it is not least. It comes last because it was only added in January 2017 and he held on to the post
Its very easy to file your own UK trademark application online. Just remember to check that you are on the .gov.uk web page at all times. The UK intellectual property office have gone to a lot of trouble to make their system easy to use so its a waste to use a third party portal
