The DTC, which was officially launched in 2009, is a centre of excellence for training PhD students and provides a high impact programme of academic and industrial collaboration across the chemical sciences.  In its role as Industry Partner, SH&P has recently delivered an IP course, specialising in patents in the chemical field, to the 2009 cohort of students (the first intake, now in year 3 of the 4 year PhD course).  The photograph shows the students and Steve Wilkinson (SH&P Senior Partner and the course teacher) at the end of the 3 day IP course.

MX Range Trade Mark Blunder
The new MX range for Tesco, which included shaving products, shower gels and deodorants and packaging, had been designed using modern fonts and cool blues to attract customers to the in-store alternative to mainstream toiletry brands.  The products, which were rolled out across Tesco stores before Christmas, had to be pulled when The Jeans Scene, a company based in Edinburgh which sells clothes and toiletries under the same brand name, complained.  The supermarket was the subject of a High Court injunction which banned it from using the trade mark and awarded payment of an undisclosed sum to The Jeans Scene.

The Importance of Checking your Trade Mark
This story, whilst embarrassing for Tesco, shows just how important it is to do your research before you spend money on branding, packaging and marketing.  In addition to the compensation payment to The Jeans Scene, Tesco will have to write off their investment in the launch of the range and is also left with a large stock of products that it will be unable to sell under the MX brand. For smaller businesses with less capital to spend, a mistake on the trade mark front could spell complete disaster.  If your business is relying on a brand name to generate revenue, you should always get expert help to make absolutely sure that the words and/or logo you want to use are not already owned as a trade mark by someone else.  Finding out before it is too late means that, if necessary, you can work on new branding and be certain to get your marketing right first time.

Trade Mark Expertise at SH&P
Our trade mark department is staffed with professionals who have years of experience in searching and protecting trade marks in the UK and overseas.  We can help to put your mind at rest about a trade mark you are thinking of using and, once you are sure there is no likelihood of a challenge, we can give you all the advice you need to register your trade mark – so that you can protect and support your business.  Our trade mark attorneys understand the importance of protecting your intellectual property and we are ideally placed to help you take the next step.  Contact us today to book an appointment, where your first hour is free of charge.

Inventors that Make a Difference
In a ceremony in Washington D.C., seven living inventors were added – many for inventions that we all take for granted today.  Their patents show the unique nature of their work, whilst the uses to which the technology has been put show just how valuable their work has been.  Included in the list is Gary Starkweather, who was instrumental in the invention of the laser printer – something that is now a feature in homes and businesses across the world – although at the time, he was working for Xerox and they apparently thought no-one would be interested in the technology.  Also featured are Barbara Liskov, for her innovations in software design, and Japanese scientist Akira Endo, who invented the first statin drug – something that has resulted in a range of drugs that treat cholesterol problems for millions of people worldwide.

Apple Inventor also Honoured
Alongside the seven living inventors, three deceased inventors were recognised by the board of the National Inventors Hall of Fame.  Among these was Steve Jobs, who was by far the most recognisable name and whose work, after his return to Apple, has been cited by many as changing the way we approach technology today.  He was awarded a place alongside Dennis Gabor, a specialist in holography, and Mária Telkes, an innovator in the field of solar energy.

Inventions and Patents do not go Unnoticed
It is easy for inventors to think that their contributions go unnoticed and, in many cases, it can be some time before the full impact of a cutting edge invention is felt or even understood.  By the time inventors are recognised for their work, the application of the new technology has often become commonplace and the general public forget how exciting and ground-breaking the original research would have been.  Encouraging innovation and inventors, by acknowledging their contribution, helps to highlight their importance and may inspire a new generation of innovators to develop processes and products that make our lives better.

Patent Advice from SH&P
At SH&P, we have the technical expertise and commercial understanding to help you protect your inventions for the future.  For individuals, companies and academic establishments, we provide a professional, approachable service that helps you to decide on the protection that is most appropriate – and the countries where you need it.  To find out more about our patent attorneys and to book your free hour’s consultation, contact us today.

Patent Ruling Could Affect Market Share
Xbox 360 is one of the most popular games consoles on the market.  It allows users to play against other remote users via the internet as well as being the base console for Microsoft’s Kinect technology, which allows users to control the console by movement or voice.  In 2011, the NPD Group, a market research organisation that tracks the gaming industry, had the Xbox 360 leading sales in the US market for seven consecutive months (with a 40% market share).  These figures suggest that Microsoft could be severely damaged if the patent ruling is upheld when the case is heard in full in August 2012.

Patent Infringement Relates to Connectivity
Whilst the Xbox is the target of this particular case, Motorola alleges that Microsoft has infringed the same or similar patents in other devices.  That is because the patents in question refer to wi-fi connectivity and video compression technologies – something that is now a standard part of any portable device that uses video, graphics and wireless internet connectivity.  Motorola Mobility Inc. is currently being bought by Google and, upon acquisition, the company’s patents will become Google’s property.  Lawyers for Microsoft are apparently arguing that three out of the four technologies being queried by Motorola come under the ‘FRAND’ (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) banner – these are technologies that are essential for certain industries to operate to a defined standard – and that Motorola should be prepared to share these patents fairly in order to promote honest and equitable competition in the market.

Although this latest ruling took place in the USA, Microsoft has also just lost a similar case in Germany –  where Motorola has been granted an injunction preventing Microsoft from importing Xbox 360, Windows 7 software, Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player.

Patent Advice from SH&P
If you have an invention that needs protection so that your business can benefit from a secure market position, talk to the expert patent attorneys at Stevens Hewlett & Perkins.  With outstanding technical expertise and established commercial understanding, we can help you to protect your interests and build your business.  Contact us today for an appointment to talk about your  latest innovations or review your existing intellectual property portfolio.  Your first hour is absolutely free, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Trade Mark for Homer’s Favourite Tipple
The company, Duff Beer UG, which is based in Eschwege, between Hamburg and Nuremburg, markets the beer as “The Legendary Duff Beer” and uses the same black, white and red styling that you see in the cartoon series.  It is available in both cans and bottles and is offered for sale online in the UK through the brewer’s UK partner, Duff Beer Distribution UK, and has been sold in UK supermarkets.  Whilst there is a clear connection between the name and the branding of the beer, Duff Beer UG does not refer directly to the show or the fictional beer in its marketing.

Appealing Trade Mark Decision
Duff Beer UG is appealing an earlier decision by the Community (EU) Trade Mark Office, which refused permission to register the trade mark.  Nearly 20 years ago, similar problems were faced by the South Australian Brewing Company – which was forced to take its Duff Beer product off the market in 1996; prompting a run on the beer that caused packs and individual bottles to be sold over the internet for hundreds of Australian dollars.

Trade Marks for Fictional Beer Overturned
The company that makes and sells The Simpsons, Twentieth Century Fox Films, registered two trade marks in the EU for the beer which, of course, is purely fictional within the cartoon.  In 2011, a Belgian court overturned the trade mark registrations because they were not related to an actual drink on the market.  Duff Beer UG is hoping that this ruling will have a positive effect on its own case and has asked the EU court to wait for the final decision on Twentieth Century Fox’s trade marks before it makes a decision on Duff Beer UG’s appeal.

Trade Mark Advice from SH&P
The Duff Beer UG case, like many others, shows that trade mark law can be a minefield.  That is why it is important to get the right advice as early as possible.  Whether you want to register a logo or form of words as a trade mark; or just check that you are not infringing any existing trade mark registrations; our trade mark attorneys can be of assistance.  We have the expertise and experience to help you get it right first time – and to protect you in the future. Your first hour’s consultation is free, so call us today.

Permission Needed for Patent Attacks
The agreement means that Twitter could not launch an action for patent infringement against a third party without the inventor’s approval.  It is a ground-breaking move for a large and valuable company which relies on technical innovation to stay ahead of the game.  Usually, employees agree that patent rights for anything they invent whilst working at a company will rest with that company – thereby allowing the business to license its innovations and take action against potential and actual infringers.

Patents provide Important Revenue
Patents are also an important revenue stream for many companies, who licence patent rights to others and can use their intellectual property portfolio as an added value proposition if they are selling or splitting up the company.  Twitter’s agreement will make that element of the business far more difficult to manage and, although it wants to encourage other businesses to adopt the same stance, legal and commercial experts are not convinced that it makes good business sense in the long term.

Tech Patents in the News
A quick internet search for patent news will show that the major patent wars at the moment are being fought between technology companies.  Big names like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Motorola, Facebook, Samsung and more are involved in numerous cases of alleged patent infringement; taking up the time of courts across the world and costing millions of pounds.  Perhaps Twitter’s move to do things differently comes from a desire to avoid these problems – but with shareholders to convince and a world that believes in corporate patent ownership, it could face an uphill battle.

Find a Patent Attorney at SH&P
Whatever your position on patent ownership, you’ll benefit from expert advice and guidance to apply for and manage intellectual property protection in the UK and overseas.  At SH&P, our expert patent attorneys can help you to plan and act so that your innovations and technologies are properly protected; strengthening your business or organisation for the long term.  The first hour of your appointment is completely free, so call us today to get started.

Damage Claim for Trade Mark Infringement
The Californian band, which has five members like it’s UK counterpart, has filed legal papers in the USA claiming that not only was it using the name in 2009, before the 2010 X Factor when the UK band was formed; but that it also was first to file for a trade mark with the US Patent and Trademark Office for the name “One Direction”.  The Californian outfit says that the UK group was aware of the name clash in 2011, but chose not to take any action, and that the original band is now suffering from consumer confusion – especially as the UK group has recently sold out a US tour and had a number 1 album there.  California’s One Direction is suing for damages and a multiple of the profits made by the UK group.

Not the First X Factor Trade Mark Challenge
One Direction is not the only band to have been created through the X Factor and have name problems.  In 2011, the band now known as Little Mix was named Rhythmix, but this turned out to also be the name of a music charity based in Bristol, and Simon Cowell was forced to change the band’s name.  The One Direction challenge has come later in the band’s career, however, when they have an established reputation, brand and fan base, and the band’s management is likely to put up a much bigger fight to keep their name and brand intact.

Trade Mark Expertise and SH&P
The easiest way to avoid problems like those that One Direction and Little Mix have faced is to ask a professional trade mark attorney to carry out a search of current trade marks to establish whether there is any danger of your infringing an existing trade mark.  This simple exercise could save you thousands of pounds in the future, and will allow you to alter your own trade mark, if necessary, before applying for protection for it.  Call us for an appointment today, where your first hour is completely free, and you could be taking advantage of our professional advice – helping you to establish and strengthen your business for the long term.

Hoping for iMug Trade Mark
The mug, which was originally designed as a competition prize, is glazed in a material that allows the surface to be written on with a chinagraph pencil.  Mr Spencer has designed a number of “Apps” on the mug, including games, a weekend countdown and a chart to show how you take your tea.  His idea is that you and your colleagues or friends can write on the mug, and the markings then wash off, leaving it fresh for your next tea break.  He has applied to register a trade mark for “iMug” and is hoping that Apple doesn’t see it as a threat and challenge his application.

Trade Mark Could Add Value
Mr Spencer has had interest in his creation from a number of companies who would like to market it, but the value of the iMug would be much greater if he could acquire a trade mark registration. Owning the mark would prevent other companies selling similar products under the same name.  Mr Spencer could also consider applying for a design registration for the mug to ensure that others do not copy the appearance of his product.  At the moment, however, he is waiting for grant of the trade mark registration, and no mugs will be on sale until he knows the outcome of his application.

Trade Mark Advice at SH&P
For trade marks of all shapes and sizes, talk to the trade mark attorneys at SH&P.  We can search existing trade marks on your behalf to ensure your brand name or design is not infringing any current trade mark registrations, and we can file applications to protect your business from competitors and help it grow in the future.  Whether you are applying for a trade mark for the first time, or need help sorting out your current intellectual property portfolio, we can assist.  Our attorneys are professional, experienced and commercially aware, so we are ideally placed to help you get started.  Your first hour’s consultation is completely free, so why not call us today to make an appointment?

Inventor with Passion for Music
In his early days, Jim Marshall was a drummer, who played and taught for a living and then used his wages to set up a music shop in the 1960s.  Among his customers were guitarists with some of the UK’s leading bands, such as Pete Townshend.  Looking for cheaper amplifiers that helped them to make a deeper, louder sound, these guitarists spent time talking to Jim; who, with his joint interest in music and engineering, set about inventing something new.  The result was a configuration that became known as the Marshall Stack, and the company has been making a range of iconic amplifiers ever since..

Fans pay Tribute to Inventor
Millions of musicians across the world use Marshall amps and the logo on the front of each one is as famous as some of the bands themselves.  On the Marshall website, a brief obituary was published, asking customers to post their own comments, and musicians from bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue and Skindred have commented on his death.  On music and social media sites, rock fans, guitarists and band members have praised his innovation and immense contribution to the world of rock music.  Many have said that they are still using Marshall amps that they bought decades ago – and that they still give the best sound.  One of Marshall’s earliest customers was Jimi Hendrix, who said that his original Marshall amp was the best he’d ever played with – and was partly responsible for bringing attention to Marshall’s invention.

Protect your Inventions with SH&P
At SH&P, we work with a wide range of clients, including music amplifier pioneers, to protect inventions.  Our team of patent and trade mark attorneys have the experience and understanding to help you strengthen your business by acquiring legal protection for your products and your brand. With offices in Bristol and London, and a full support team to ensure that your case is handled professionally and efficiently, we are the perfect choice for businesses that know the value of their ideas.  When you book an appointment with us, your first hour is free – so call us today.

Patent Documents Suggest Advert Link
It appears that Yahoo’s applications are looking at several potential ways of integrating adverts within e-books.  It suggests that the user can decide how prominent it wants the adverts to be, on the understanding that the more prominent the advert, the cheaper the e-book title.  Like current internet advertising on social media sites such as Facebook, Yahoo believes that adverts can be tailored to the particular book being read.  The adverts could appear as traditional advert boxes within the text, or as links from the text to the advert.  It also suggests that advertisers could effectively sponsor a chapter or a book, using a strapline to promote the sponsorship.

Adverts to Follow Plot, say Patent Applications
Taking the idea of linked advertising even further, reports suggest that the patent applications mention adverts changing as the reader moves through the book, linking new adverts to the content and to the emotion that the reader may be feeling.  That would result in different adverts for places where the text is scary, romantic or action-based.  The patent also includes children’s literature, where it says targeted advertising could be linked to specific parts of the story – a move that, should the patent be granted and the technology come into place, may result in complaints from parents or children’s watchdog groups.  Commentators believe that Yahoo may be banking on patents like these to help to boost its revenue, but adverts within e-books are largely untested and may face considerable opposition from both readers and authors.

Patent Advice from SH&P
Our patent attorneys are able to help you protect a wide range of ideas and inventions.  Whether you run an established business or are just starting out, we can advise you on the best way to handle your intellectual property and ensure that you are in the strongest possible position.  Our patent and trade mark attorneys are professional, experienced and have considerable commercial expertise, so you can rely on us to give you excellent advice.  Your first hour’s consultation is free, so why not book an appointment today?