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News & Info

The Advantages of Filing a Patent Application and Obtaining a Patent

There are many advantages of filing a patent application and obtaining a granted patent status for your invention. Although it may feel daunting at the outset, it need not be with professional help from an experienced patent attorney to draft the application for you and guide you through all the pitfalls. Done properly and professionally it can provide a huge benefit to your business. On the other hand, if it is carried out by an unskilled person, the protection of…

UKIPO Study - Social Media Influencers and Their Impact on Counterfeit Goods

A recent study conducted by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has shed light on the significant influence social media influencers have on consumers, not least when it comes to purchasing counterfeit products. The findings of the study has revealed a striking gender disparity. It found that 24% of males between the ages of 16 and 60 in the UK were prompted to buy counterfeit goods as a direct consequence of endorsements of so-called "influencers" using social media. This percentage…

Be Careful What You Say – Intellectual Property and Unjustified Threats

In 2023, a London cyclist, who posts footage to a YouTube Channel under the name of 'Chapona Bicyclette' showing vehicles making dangerous manoeuvres around or near cyclists, uploaded footage of a van overtaking the cyclist in an allegedly dangerous manner. The cyclist also sent the footage to the company that owned the van (Cornices Centre), with an expectation of an apology and assurance that the driver of the van would receive an appropriate reprimand. Instead, the cyclist received an email…

Responding to a Cease and Desist Letter: Let SH&P Guide You

Receiving a cease and desist (“C&D”) letter can be a daunting experience for any business and probably feels even worse if you are a small business or a sole trader. A C&D is a formal way of someone saying, "Hey, we think you're infringing on our intellectual property rights." But before you panic, remember, SH&P is here to help you navigate through tricky waters.

Thatchers Cider Company Limited v Aldi Stores Limited – Another Win for Branding "Lookalikes"

On 24th January 2024 a decision was issued by the IPEC court (Thatchers Cider Company Limited v Aldi Stores Limited [2024] EWHC 88 (IPEC), determining that Aldi’s ‘lookalike’ cloudy lemon cider did not infringe Thatchers’ trade mark registration, nor did it pass it off as its own. It would seem that Aldi has, once again, successfully evaded liability for another of its alleged "imitation" products. Whilst some quarters had hoped the decision would depart from those that came before it…

European Patent Office (EPO) Update - New Discount Scheme from 1st April 2024

The European Patent Office (EPO) has recently announced a new fee system aimed at bolstering support for small enterprises and individual inventors. This initiative, effective from the 1st April 2024, offers discounts of 30% on various fees for European patent applications made by so-called "micro-entities", which are defined as being either (a) companies with fewer than 10 employees and a turnover under €2m, or, (b) individual inventors. The move aligns with the EPO's commitment to fostering innovation and easing the…

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