Partners Hazel Ford and Alexander Robinson have been featured in the Life Sciences IP Review (LSIPR) providing insights on the latest developments impacting the European Patent Office Boards of Appeal, following their discussion held at LSPN Spring North America 2025.

In their talk, they analyse the evolving legal landscape in the life sciences sector in light of recent decisions prompted by the Unified Patent Court, offering a valuable perspective on how these changes may affect patent strategies across Europe.

To watch the full video click here.

How can you keep track of innovations made by your competitors? Do you even know who all your competitors are? Monitoring patenting activity can help, but there are limitations. Surprises can still happen, sometimes from unexpected quarters.

June 2025. Another week, another news article with a colourful photograph of a rocket exploding. But as news feeds were focussed on the latest ‘Starship’ blow-up as SpaceX doubled down on its fail fast, learn fast methodology, the attention of much of the space industry was elsewhere. To northern Japan, where a day earlier a prototype rocket had risen some 300m into the air and, a minute later, redeployed its landing gear and landed flawlessly a short distance away. The technology was undoubtedly impressive, but the most newsworthy aspect was the identity of the company behind it.

Since the first commercial launch system was offered by Arianespace in the 1980s, arguably the greatest advances have come from SpaceX, who first demonstrated the result of a decade of development by launching a reusable rocket in 2015. Since then, SpaceX has become by far the dominant player with currently over 100 orbital launches a year. It has also inspired numerous start-ups. But the new rocket was not from any of those. The unexpected new entrant in the reusable rocket space was the venerable Japanese car manufacturer: Honda¹.

What was ostensibly a car company doing launching a reusable rocket? And could anyone have seen this coming?

The monitoring of patents – and in particular the filing of new patent applications – is often presented as a key tool for competitor intelligence. What areas are your competitors working on? What new innovations have there been in your field? Have there been any new entrants? Patents are by design a good source of technical information; to secure a patent monopoly requires full disclosure of the workings of the invention, which nowadays is readily available on free public databases.

However, patent monitoring is an imperfect tool. The language can be obscure, a dense mix of technical and legalese, sometimes deliberately so. Subject classifications are not always appropriate. The ultimate corporate owners can be difficult to determine. And patent applications typically only publish 18 months after the initial filing, so any such monitoring is inevitably somewhat behind the curve.

Another reason to be wary is that the incentives to file patent applications differ; what works for start-ups is not always appropriate for more established companies. The former tend to file early in the innovation process to indicate commercial potential, secure investment, and to protect their key innovation ahead of any public demonstration. We can see this with the large number of reusable rocket start-ups with a handful of patent filings, perhaps some successful ground-based test firings, but as yet no successful launches. Large companies (or those with more secure funding) tend to have a broader technological base and no need to engage in such market signalling.

Leaving aside ideological reasoning (Elon Musk once famously quipped that patents are “for the weak” and claimed SpaceX was a patent-free company; a position since evidently revised), for some companies, the very requirement to disclose in full details of the invention is seen as a drawback, allowing competitors an unwanted innovation leg-up. Instead, development is undertaken largely in secret, with intellectual property being protected through corporate culture – or in case that fails, formally buttressed via strict non-disclosure employment contracts and the potential for litigation.

Honda seems to be adopting this secrecy approach, at least initially. Since first declaring an interest in developing space technologies in 2019, they have kept a low profile. Footage of an earlier rocket test firing was only shown in grainy black-and-white, possibly to avoid disclosing details of the propellant.

They evidently take patents seriously, however. Established in the 1940s, Honda is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, with vast experience in combustion technology, fluid handling, etc., and a large R&D department with a reported willingness to allow young engineers opportunities to work on projects of their own. For the past two decades, Honda has filed over 1,000 patent applications a year.

Honda also has prior form in diversifying into other technology areas, whether done primarily as a proof-of-concept and public-relations exercise (as with the ASIMO humanoid robot programme, since discontinued) or commercially. Honda has, for example, a successful side line in business jets and a small portfolio of aviation-related patents.

That said, Honda seems unlikely to be aiming to compete with SpaceX as a commercial launch provider. Rather, this may be a case of vertical integration, a company looking to support its core business by moving into adjacent technologies. Honda may in time provide its own satellite links for ‘connected vehicles’, avoiding over-reliance on the present dominant supplier (Starlink again).

Whatever the reason, Honda could well become a major force in the intellectual property of space, following similar industrial giants such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai, all of which have been building space-related patent portfolios.

So if your company is warily eyeing existing competitors and wondering where the next threat might come from, how can you anticipate competition arising from established companies crossing over from other sectors?

• Be aware that innovation and competition not only come from smaller companies and startups. Not all large companies are dinosaurs.
• Appreciate that patent monitoring is important but also imperfect and so must be part of a wider analysis.
• Take public pronouncements seriously. Whereas start-ups seek to make headlines, larger
  companies may be indicating a deliberate strategy.
• Identify companies with the means, motive, and opportunity to vertically integrate or diversify.
• Note when unexpected new entrants move into your technology area and consider whether there are similar companies which might do likewise.

You may also wish to consult with your patent attorney. Despite the drawbacks with patent monitoring, there are sometimes faint signals which a patent attorney might identify. A couple of years ago, a Honda patent application was published with the intriguing title “Landing gear for flight vehicle”. There was no mention in the patent specification of space or the launching of rockets. But a remarkably similar landing gear was seen deployed a few weeks ago in northern Japan.

¹ https://global.honda/en/topics/2025/c_2025-06-17ceng.html

We are delighted to be ranked as a leading European patent law firm by the Financial Times (FT) in their 2025 report.

The Financial Times Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms list identifies the most recommended firms in Europe for services related to patent prosecution and strategic advice, and is compiled by the FT’s research partner Statista.

As well as featuring as a leading patent firm, we have also been recognised in five specialist areas of industrial expertise this year: ‘Biotechnology, Food & Healthcare‘, ‘Chemistry & Pharmacy‘, ‘Electrical Engineering & Physics’, ‘IT & Software‘, and ‘Mechanical Engineering.’

We are greatly appreciative of all of our clients and contacts who have taken the time to recommended our firm as part of the FT’s research.

To access the full report and rankings tables, please visit the FT website here.

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has published a new guidance following the pivotal ruling in SkyKick UK Ltd and another v Sky Ltd and others (SkyKick). The updated Practice Amendment Notice 1/25 refines the examination practices at the IPO and outlines the implications of the judgement for new applicants when filing specifications of goods and services. Such changes are to come into effect immediately.

Background

Section 3(6) of the UK Trade Mark Act 1994 prohibits registration of a trade mark “if or to the extent that the application is made in bad faith.” What constitutes ‘bad faith’ is not legislatively defined, however, has been interpreted by the courts. Most notable is the recent Supreme Court Judgement in SkyKick following a long-running dispute between the parties. While the court confirmed a finding of infringement of Sky’s trade marks by SkyKick, it was found that Sky’s registrations contained excessively broad specifications across a range of goods and services for which there were no genuine intention to use the mark, and therefore, partially invalid on bad faith grounds.

Under the new guidance, examiners will now actively consider whether a specification is “so manifestly and self-evidently broad that a bad faith objection should be raised.” It follows that that certain applications claiming all 45 classes or all goods/services in those classes for example, will now automatically trigger an objection.

Looking Ahead

As a general rule, applicants should ensure that their specifications include goods and services which represent “fair and reasonable claims in the context of their business.” Going forward, applicants should exercise caution when filing a vast number of goods and services across a broad range of classes, or when using broad terms such as clothing, software, entertainment etc. That said, a pragmatic balance needs to be struck to not file too narrowly to restrict opportunities for business expansion.

 Should an objection be raised by an examiner, applicants must be prepared to explain the commercial rationale behind the goods/services concerned. Paragraph 15 of the PAN 1/25 provides a 2-month period for a response. If the examiner refuses to waive the objection, applicants will still have the opportunity to be heard and to appeal.  If the applicant genuinely is going to offer all goods/services applied for and can provide a justifiable commercial rationale and reasoning, we would expect the objection to be overcome.

Finally, opponents and cancellation applicants are also encouraged to be mindful of the changes above. as relying on broad specifications may lead to counterclaims from the other side on bad faith grounds.  This has already been happening since the SkyKick judgement though in practice, but it is worth a reminder that this is possible as part of the proceedings before the UKIPO.

Mathys Comment

This is not an unexpected development by the UKIPO, but it will cause challenges for applicants who are used to filing with broad specifications (both in terms of classes and goods within the same class).  Whilst the UKIPO does have an effective online tool to assist with drafting specifications, given the drafting of such defines your protection (and scope to challenge moving forwards) we would certainly recommend seeking advice from one of the Mathys trade mark team to ensure a) your specification covers you now (and moving forwards) and b) will ideally not trigger an objection.

Between August and October 2023, the UK government launched its Second Transformation Consultation to support the UKIPO in delivering improved digital services. One key proposal is to change, or potentially abolish, the use of series trade marks.
 
Series trade marks are a unique feature of the UK system, allowing applicants to register up to six similar marks (e.g. logos in different colours, differences in capitalisation, minor variations of spelling) in a single application at a reduced cost. This option is not available in other systems such as the EUIPO or the Madrid Protocol. Applicant’s were able to apply for up to six marks in a series, in accordance with Section 41(2)(a) of the Trade Marks Act 1994:

”A series of trade marks means a number of trade marks which resemble each other as to their material particulars and differ only as to matters of a non-distinctive character not substantially affecting the identity of the trade mark.”

Series marks are particularly useful when a logo appears in multiple colour variations or has several common adaptations, as they extend protection to all versions. They are also advantageous when a logo includes variations in visual elements, such as differences in colours, icons or stylised text, depending on the context. Overall, series marks offer broad legal protection while allowing for flexibility in how the logo is used across different scenarios. Despite variations in the marks, a series trade mark ensures consistency in the brand identity, protecting the core mark while enabling adaptation for numerous applications.
 
However, on 10 April 2025, the UKIPO published the consultation report and found that many applicants find series marks confusing. Specifically, 65% of applications are filed without professional representation, and in 2022, 39% were objected to for not meeting the legal criteria for registering a series of trade marks. This can lead to additional costs for applicants who need to file new applications. However, applicants would need to at least double filing costs without the series mark being available if they wanted to file more than one variant of their mark, so it is difficult to see how not having the series mark would lead to a cost saving on the whole. Furthermore, the UKIPO is of the opinion that series marks provide limited additional legal protection, reducing their overall value for money.
 
While this is arguable as we have found series marks to be a very beneficial tool for brand owners when used correctly, we do acknowledge that the UKIPO’s approach to assessing the validity of a series trade mark application is strict and any variations as to the distinctiveness of the mark to the point where the overall identity and impression of the trade mark has changed, even due to variations of colour, the application can be objected against or refused.  

Professional representation is key to making the most out of the series system in the UK and it is somewhat disappointing that the UKIPO have decided to phase these marks out.  While existing series marks will remain valid, the UKIPO expects to phase out the option for new applications once its new digital trade mark service launches. A specific date for this change has not yet been confirmed.  If you have any marks which could constitute a series it would be beneficial to file them sooner rather than later.
 
In addition to developments at the UKIPO, as part of its digital transformation, the UKIPO will soon make trade mark and design documents, such as examination reports, available online for the first time through the new One IPO Search tool, bringing patents, trade marks, and designs into one unified platform.

Government response to the Second Transformation Consultation report below on series trade marks applications and more here.

This June marks Pride month, a time to celebrate the talent, creativity and innovation demonstrated by members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and reflect on the challenges and discrimination many would have faced particularly in their professional careers.

Whilst there has been progression over the years, it is no secret that we still live in a time where many are unable to feel empowered as their authentic self. Therefore, by acknowledging the following engineers and technical experts, we not only honour their scientific contributions, but also highlight the importance of visibility and representation. The following people serve as powerful role models to the next generation, inspiring and empowering others to pursue their ambitions with confidence and pride.

Frank Kameny (1925-2011)

Frank Kameny had a passion for astronomy from a young age, majoring in Physics in his degree at Queens College and completing his PhD later at Harvard University. He worked for the Army Map Service, working to develop and analyse astronomical maps during the conflict between the Soviet Union and the US. Unfortunately, he was fired shortly after it came to their attention that he identified as gay, and with his security clearance removed, he was no longer able fulfil this passion. In 1961, he became the first to petition the Supreme Court with a discrimination claim based on sexual orientation, and committed to being a LGBTQIA+ activist, organising protests and assisting others with their discriminatory law suits.

Sally Ride (1951-2012)

On 18 June 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman to travel to space, as she completed her journey on the Challenger’s STS-7 mission. Beyond her vital work at NASA, she founded Sally Ride Science, a non-profit organisation which encouraged women to pursue STEM subjects. Sally had preferred to keep her identity as part of the LGBTQIA+ community private until after her death, in which she posthumously revealed that she had an intimate relationship with her working partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy. In 2013, the year after her passing, she was honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama.

Edith Windsor (1929-2017)

In the 1960s, Edith Windsor was a pioneering computer programmer who exceeded in her career. She famously worked at IBM for 16 years, reaching the greatest possible position as a Senior Systems Programmer, a feat even more impressive as a woman in this era. She was an LGBTQIA+ activist and played a vital role in the Supreme Court case Windsor vs United States, in which she famously argued for a tax refund after the passing of her partner, which led to the court granting more benefits to same-sex couples. People often reference this as a turning point for same-sex couple in the US, and she is therefore remembered with the utmost respect. In 2013, she was a finalist for TIME magazine’s Person of the Year, and was described by TIME as “the matriarch of the gay-rights movement”.

Nergis Mavalvala (1968-)

Nergis Mavalvala is an astrophysicist who played a key role in the discovery of gravitational waves from the collision of two black holes. In his theory of general relativity, Albert Einstein had theorised this phenomenon, but it was Nergis and the rest of her team who were able to confirm this. Nergis has always been thoroughly committed to her education, completing her doctorate degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Astrophysics. She refers to herself as an “out, queer person of colour”, and dedicates herself to challenging discrimination in STEM.

Audrey Tang (1981-)

Audrey Tang is a computer scientist who first brought attention to their technological skill in 2014 during the Sunflower Protests in Taiwan as an open-source hacker, by helping to stream videos of the movement across the country. Tang later joined the ministry at 35, becoming the first ‘Digital Minister’ and Taiwan’s first transgender and non-binary minister. They have since been involved in revolutionary programmes, such as an educational initiative that helped equip young people with skills to identify fake news stories, as well as developing the ‘Mask Map’ during COVID-19, an online application which showed where masks were available to purchase during a national shortage.

At Mathys & Squire, we believe it is essential that everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We are deeply committed to fostering a workplace culture where diversity is celebrated, inclusion is prioritised, and everyone feels respected, valued, and supported.

Click here to read more about our Diversity & Inclusion policies.

IPSS Electra Valentine has co-written an article highlighting the meaning of Juneteenth as part of her role on the IP & ME committee at IP inclusive.

Yesterday marked Juneteenth, a significant day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It serves not only as a moment to celebrate freedom, but also an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of Black history, culture, and the ongoing journey toward equality.

The article examines the historical context of this day and considers its relevance and significance for IP professionals based in the UK, highlighting how its themes of freedom, justice, and inclusion resonate within the industry today.

Click here to read more.

In celebration of our 115th anniversary, we are proud to have planted 115 trees in partnership with Trees for Life. Each tree symbolises a year of growth, resilience, and our continued commitment to building a better, greener future.

As we celebrate our 115th anniversary, we have a valuable opportunity to reflect on our history and acknowledge the people, milestones and moments that have helped shape our firm. It is also a time in which we can look ahead with purpose, recognising the vital role that we play in shaping a more sustainable world and promoting positive change for future generations.

At Mathys & Squire, we firmly believe that protecting the environment is not just a responsibility, but a necessity. Through initiatives like this, and through the continued integration of environmentally conscious practices in our day-to-day operations, we are committed to contributing to a more sustainable world.

Click here to find out more about our CSR initiatives.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of senior trade mark attorney Claire Breheny as our new Head of Trade Marks.

Joining from Stobbs, where she served as an IA Director and Head of Support, Claire has nearly two decades of experience working across trade marks, registered and unregistered designs, copyright, and cross-border portfolio management and enforcement.

Recognised in leading industry rankings such as the World Trademark Review 1000, Legal 500, World Intellectual Property Review Leaders and Thomson Reuters’ Stand-out Lawyers 2024 and 2025, Claire has consistently been acknowledged for her expertise, and she is widely regarded as being at the top of her profession, both by peers and clients.

Claire is also a member of the Intellectual Property Regulation Board’s Joint Disciplinary Panel, reflecting her status as a trusted figure in the profession.

Claire is known for her strategic insight and ability to manage complex multi-jurisdictional disputes, including strategic use of litigation where needed, and leading global settlement negotiations for her clients. She has worked extensively with clients with a worldwide presence, and specialises in acting for UK brands with international portfolios and US clients targeting UK and EU markets.

Partner Gary Johnston says: “We are progressing our strategy to further develop and grow our trade mark capabilities to attract more top-tier clients and enhance our reputation as a leading player in the IP legal space. Claire’s appointment is the next big step in this process.”

Claire says: “I am delighted to join Mathys & Squire at an exciting time for the firm. I bring a wealth of experience advising on global trade mark portfolios, managing complex multi-jurisdictional disputes, and developing commercially focused IP strategies.”

“I am looking forward to helping strengthen the firm’s reputation in the trade mark space, growing the team, and deepening relationships with clients across key international markets.”

This press release has been featured in The Trademark Lawyer, World IP Review, Commercial Dispute Resolution and Managing IP .

We are delighted to announce that we have received the ‘Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year – London 2025’ award, granted by Legal Insider.

The Legal Insider Awards celebrate firms that demonstrate outstanding legal expertise, client service and contribution to the legal sector. The awards are decided by an expert panel of judges who evaluate all of the available data to make the most fair and suitable decision for each category.

To be selected for this award is an honour and a great reflection of the exceptional work of our team. This recognition also highlights our ongoing commitment to excellence and leadership in the field of intellectual property law.

Find out more about our award here.