Archive - December 2016
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Michael Jaeger unpacks HMRC’s report on the initial uptake of the UK’s Patent Box
23 December 2016Read more >The UK’s Patent Box came into effect on 1 April 2013. Under the scheme UK companies are able to pay a reduced rate of Corporation Tax on certain profits derived from patented technology. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) published its first report¹ on the uptake of the scheme on 14 September 2016, and that report […]
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EPO puts brakes on essentially biological processes
15 December 2016Read more >In frustrating news for the biotech industry, we can report that the European Patent Office (EPO) has decided to suspend all examination and opposition proceedings for inventions concerning plants/animals that are obtained by means of essentially biological processes. This follows a recent non-binding Notice from the European Commission (EC) regarding the interpretation of certain aspects […]
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The Final Twist: Rubik’s Cube Trade Mark Declared Invalid by EU Court
1 December 2016Read more >On 10 November 2016, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decided that the famous Rubik’s Cube could not be a registered trade mark. This marks the end of a ten year tussle over the registrability of one of the world’s best-selling toys of all time. The trade mark in question is Seven […]
