The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has published an open consultation Standard Essential Patents and Innovation: Call for views in order in order to better understand the current framework’s function to support innovation. Views are sought on whether the SEPs framework is functioning efficiently and strikes the right balance for all entities involved. Its stated aim is "to produce the optimal IP framework for the UK that will promote innovation and creativity both now and, in the future" whilst ensuring the Government’s ambitions set out in the UK Innovation Strategy are supported. Read more

IAM have interviewed our IP partners Laura Orlando and Sebastian Moore in an article, The EU's Unified Patent Court is set to open in 2022 - this is what you need to know, on the progress towards the new European patent system. The article discusses the new landscape for patent enforcement - including the 2022 start date, opt-out considerations and deadlines, and the practical arrangements needed to bring the new court to life. Sebastian and Laura comment in particular on the location of the life sciences seat of the central division and the recruitment and composition of the UPC judiciary. Read more

While the COP26 climate summit did not deliver on the high expectations placed on it, the outcomes of the conference will still have a noticeable impact on businesses.  We summarise in this briefing the key outcomes from COP26, and the way that consumer companies are responding to the increasing climate action expectations of consumers. What … Read more

In our last post, we considered some of the challenges of processing genetic data on the basis it has been anonymised. If such data has not been properly anonymised, it must be processed in line with the requirements for “special category” data under GDPR. One lawful basis for processing “special category” data is explicit consent. Read more

Progress continues at pace towards the new Unified Patent Court (“UPC“) in Europe, with news that the National Council of the Austrian Parliament (Nationalrat) has unanimously approved the Protocol on Provisional Application (“PPA“). The next step is for the PPA to be approved by the Austrian Bundesrat (Federal Council), and this is likely to happen … Read more