News & insights

IP updates

New UK IPO ‘IP Access’ Grant Scheme Is Now Available For UK SMEs

The UK IPO has recently launched ‘IP Access’, a new funding scheme for small SMEs. The scheme offers a contribution of £5,000 for eligible SMEs in the UK that have ambitions to grow, to help them recover from and overcome COVID-related challenges and to encourage them to invest in their IP.
Blogs

Too Cool for School

School is set to return and after so many weeks off, the transition back to school can be a tough one, for kids and parents alike. Luckily, we are here to help! We have found some inventions which should make going back to school a breeze.
Blogs

“What I’d Tell my Younger Self”

Soni Basra gave a talk to “IP Futures” about “What I’d Tell my Younger Self”, during which she discussed her journey, including the impact of her gender and race and the challenges that she encountered.
IP insights

By Design: Registered Design FTO Analysis

FTO analysis can be performed in many ways but it is generally aimed at the same question: what is the risk of our product infringing someone else’s IP?
Blogs

Lighting The Way to Olympic Success

Despite the year delay, a lack of crowds and tight protocols prohibiting the mingling of athletes, the Tokyo Olympics have delivered a number of memorable moments. But how does the Olympic torch work? And what patents exist for technology relating to it?
Blogs

Boardgames and IP

With more time spent at home over the past year, many of us have dusted off some old board games (and bought some new ones!) for a rainy afternoon. Whilst the idea of board games may not make you think of patents immediately, let’s take a look at some board game patents and a bit of history.
IP updates

Technical Boards of Appeal of the EPO – Update

Clearly, 2020 was a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic presented the Boards of Appeal and the wider EPO with significant challenges. According to the Annual Report of the Boards of Appeal, in 2020 the Technical Boards of Appeal received 37% (1233) fewer new appeals than in 2019.
IP updates

EPO Statistics – Update

After a period of moderate growth the number of new European patent applications received by the EPO in 2020 fell slightly (1282 new applications or 0.7% less than in 2019). This is a surprisingly good result given the unusual circumstances that prevailed throughout most of 2020. Overall, looking back over a decade, the number of new European patent applications filed in 2020 was 25% higher than the number filed in 2011.
General

IP Inclusive Senior Leaders’ Pledge Launched Today

IP Inclusive’s senior leaders’ think tank has launched its new “Leaders’ Pledge” initiative, where individuals in senior leadership roles within IP firms and IP professional bodies make personal commitments to provide visible and active leadership on improving diversity and inclusion in their organisations.

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