Practice Areas

Licensing & Exploiting IP

Developing the commercial potential of intellectual property is at the heart of our practice.

We have extensive experience in the drafting, negotiation and practical implementation of commercial IP agreements of many types, in a wide range of technologies and markets. By bringing together our technical, legal and commercial skills and understanding, we can assist in identifying fresh opportunities and new structures for deals and IP-based relationships. Our expertise extends to the specialised treatment of intellectual property in UK and US government contracts and in EU funded projects.

We also advise on the IP aspects of corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, financing and disposals. In particular, we provide assessments of the protection afforded by IP, its enforceability and its relevance to the business objectives of the corporation. We can also advise on the contractual treatment of IP in such transactions

Our involvement in due diligence activities has proved valuable both for potential investors and for those seeking finance.

News

The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) between the UK and Japan opened on 03/07/07. The PPH will allow patent applicants who have received an examination report by either the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) or the Japan Patent Office (JPO) to...

Ian Fletcher, formerly Managing Director of the International Directorate in UK Trade and Investment, is now Chief Executive of the UK Intellectual Property Office

Yemen has recently acceded to the Paris Convention, allowing applicants to claim priority on filing

The EPC 2000 came into force on 13 December 2007

Malta became an EPC and a PCT contracting state on 1 March 2007

Last year the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia submitted a request for an accession invitation, and the Council granted observer status to Bosnia and Herzegovina and to Serbia and Montenegro

Recent changes to Japanese law mean that design protection is now available for 20 years rather than the previous 15

The EPO has begun 2008 by announcing a number of increases to their official fees. Most of the changes come into force in April 2008, but some have been delayed until April 2009

The European Community accedes to the Hague Agreement on 1st January 2008. This means that nationals of EC member states, and companies having a commercial interest in an EC state, may apply for International registered design protection via...

Croatia and Norway became EPC states on 1 Jan 2008

The EPO has confirmed that the London Agreement will come into force on 1 May 2008

The London Agreement will come into force on 1 May 2008 significantly reducing the translation costs for the validation of European Costs