What is the difference between patents, designs and trade marks?

difference between patents designs and trade marks

Many potential clients come to us knowing that they need some form of intellectual property (IP) to protect their innovative products, designs or brand names/logos, but are often unsure about what type of IP they need..  There are three main types of registered intellectual property: patents, (registered) designs and (registered) trade marks, and they all…

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What exactly is Intellectual property…?

what exactly is intellectual property

…and why could it be so important to your business? The official definition The World Intellectual Property Organisation (or “WIPO” as it’s affectionately known) defines Intellectual Property (IP) as “creations of the mind; inventions; literary or artistic works; and names, symbols and images used in commerce.  But, as a patent attorney (and, by trade, a…

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Speaking to people about your new product

speaking to people about your new product

Developing a new concept into a product and getting that product onto the market often takes some time, effort and money, and is rarely something that can be done in isolation.  You obviously don’t want your new idea to be copied and, when the time is right, you may plan to file a patent application…

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Don’t forget to protect your Christmas product launch!

protect your new products before you start marketing for Christmas

Protect your Christmas product launch! So many people/businesses will want to get their new/improved products out for the Christmas market. If you want to protect those products, NOW is the time to be thinking about it. Because, once you’ve started marketing the product (or disclosed it in any way), it may be too late to…

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A VICTORY FOR AI/MACHINE LEARNING PATENTS IN THE UK…?

A recent court case has highlighted just how complex patents can be when they involve AI. If you’re working with an Artificial Neural Network or a similar computer program, then this may useful to understand. In a recent appeal, the High Court overturned a decision by the UK Patent Office to refuse a patent application…

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“GIN-UINE ARTICLE?”

M&S vs Aldi Design Infringement High profile cases with big brands obviously hit the news far more than other lesser known products, and there have been a number of interesting cases over the past few years. But whether you’re a global chain or a smaller one-time inventor, it’s always wise to be careful. In recent…

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UKIPO PUBLISHES STRATEGY FOR 2024-2027

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has published its “IP for a Creative and Innovative UK Strategy 2024 to 2027”; and identifies three “pillars” that will underpin its work in the three years ahead. These are: The Strategy goes on to talk about the “transformation” being undergone at the UKIPO “that will make working with…

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Funding and Intellectual Property Rights

Funding and intellectual property rights

In the news recently, we have been told that the UK is now out of recession.  It sounds like good news, and of course it will be once the economy starts to settle down and, hopefully, grow.  But investment in innovation still seems to be sluggish, and one wonders if potential investors and funding bodies…

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