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Crime-cutting Letterbox A potentially life-saving device is being patented by its UK inventor. Andy Ging, from Oakwood in Derby has developed a product called ‘Letterbox Sentry’ which is designed to protect people who are living with harassment or abuse. Home Security The letterbox is a significant development in home security, as standard letterboxes can be the method of entry into the house for a wide range of illegal activities, including arson and burglary. Fires have been caused by pouring accelerant…
Figures published by the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) show that it received nearly 55000 trade mark applications in 2014; an increase of more than 8% on 2013, and of almost 25% since 2012. The Top Applicants The following companies were the top ten filers of trade mark applications in the UK in 2014:- Glaxo Group (UK) British American Tobacco (US) BVIPR (UK) Aldi Stores (UK) Unilever (UK) British American Tobacco (UK) Asda Stores (UK) Akzo Nobel Coatings International BV…
As car manufacturers continue to develop and test new technologies that are designed to make driving easier and safer, Google has filed a patent application that gives new insight into its plans for a self-driving car. Google’s car will use a range of sensors to ensure it operates safely, taking into account other road users as well as road conditions. In particular, its latest patent demonstrates how it will use sensors, radar and a camera to collect data about objects…
A recent study by Thomson Reuters shows that the UK fell significantly behind its major European competitors, France and Germany, in the number of patents filed in 2014. Patents originating from Germany numbered over 56,000 during the year, with French companies filing just over 11,500. By contrast, applicants from the UK filed just 6,619. Patents for German Technology Germany is home to a number of leading technology companies, all of which are investing a significant amount in research and development. …
Ball & Young, a company based in Corby, Northamptonshire, applied to the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to register the trade mark ‘Cloud 9 Caviar and Champagne Collection’ for flooring products. The application was refused after an objection from the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), which is the trade body representing Champagne producers. When is ‘Champagne’ a Trade Mark? An opposition hearing was held at the IPO, during which Ball & Young argued that the word ‘Champagne’…
A letter from US-based computer chip giant Intel has forced a small business in the UK to re-brand and spend over £15,000 changing signage and other material. The challenge came after Intel became aware of Intell Windows, based in Sandwich, Kent, which supplies windows, doors and conservatories to homes in the local area. Name Changed to Intelligent Windows The letter was received by the company at the start of this year. Intel asked that Intell Windows change its name in…
World-famous physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking, has applied to the UK Intellectual Property Office for trade mark protection for his name. Professor Hawking is Director of Research at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Theoretical Cosmology, but the application has been filed in his own name. Trade Mark for Goods, Services and Charitable Fundraising Like all trade mark applicants, Professor Hawking has specified the type of goods and services which he would like the trade mark to cover. These include scientific…
Once again SH&P will be exhibiting at the Business Showcase South West event at the Colston Hall, Bristol from 14th-15th May. New for this year is the Seminar Room brought to you by SH&P. Over two days exhibitors will be presenting a series of content driven seminars which will include Discover Your Strategic Assets, a workshop presented by Jon Welfoot (SH&P) and Paul Nickson and Paul Johnston (Shirlaws Group). “Businesses aren’t just about products or services; businesses frequently develop innovative…
Intellectual Property professionals and businesses alike have been waiting to see what the European Patent Office (EPO) will propose in terms of costs for the future European Unitary Patent. Now, a report by the president of the EPO, entitled Proposals for the level of renewal fees for European patents with a unitary effect has been published and sent to the EPO’s supervisory body for comment.* Possible Unitary Patent Fee Structures It is thought that the report contains two possible fee…
Two inventors from the UK have been granted a patent for an innovative food defence system. The Oasis™ Flood Protection System has been designed for easy manufacture and installation and, its inventors say, will change the way people use flood defences around the world. A New Approach to Flood Protection The inventors involved are Eamonn Lee-Barrett and Chris Lee and together they have formed a company to sell their flood defence system – Masika Flood Protection Ltd. The patent grant…