General

From 1 April 2024 the European Patent Office are introducing reduced fees for smaller and less experienced patent filers at the EPO. The new scheme offers a 30% fee reduction on a variety of EPO fees for ‘micro entities’ who have filed fewer than 5 European patents in the last 5 years. The applicable ‘micro […]

Marie-Claude Pellegrini has been appointed as a W&R partner and brings a wealth of experience in specialist areas of aeronautics, automotive and advanced technologies. Based in our Paris office, Marie-Claude is joining the Withers & Rogers partnership to develop our growing French offering in a client-led strategic move, which is part of the firm’s broader […]

We are delighted to see that Gemma McGeough, Helen Henderson and Laurie Bray have all been recognised as Rising Stars in Managing IP’s 2022 rankings. Managing IP’s Rising Stars publication recognises some of the best up-and-coming IP practitioners who have contributed to the success of their firms and clients. We would like to extend our […]

IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists identifies the individuals who are leading the way in developing and implementing strategies that maximise the value of IP portfolios. We are delighted to announce that W&R Partner Karl Barnfather has been recognised in this guide of world-class IP strategists: “Excellent on a technical, substantive and strategic […]

This month, IAM released the ninth edition of IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals. The IAM Patent 1000 shines a spotlight on the firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in the pivotal area of patent law. We are delighted to announce that Withers & Rogers has been recognised in this guide once […]

China can be designated in new Hague International design filings from 5 May 2022. What does this mean? Designs can now be protected in China and other countries of the Hague system, including the EU, Japan, Korea, the US and the UK, in one application. This will be of benefit to international applicants and Chinese […]

We are delighted to welcome Yannick Biron, a highly experienced French and European patent attorney, as a partner in our Paris office. Yannick will be working alongside partner Russell Edson, who relocated from London to Paris in 2019 and is a qualified British, French and European patent attorney. As a team, both Yannick and Russell […]

Every experience a client or potential client has with a business helps to strengthen or undermine a business’s brand and in a similar regard its reputation. At Withers & Rogers we have been on a journey to articulate what we are, why we do what we do, what we stand for and what we are […]

Nothing drives innovation quite like necessity. The universal recognition of the need for zero emission transport is already showing a boost in innovation across different transport sectors. Challenges in reaching zero emission transport are shared across the road, rail and marine transport sectors. Recognition of these shared challenges, and subsequent sharing of innovative solutions, would […]

“Without a major acceleration in clean energy innovation, reaching net‐zero [carbon] emissions by 2050 will not be achievable.”1 This is one of the stark warnings to come out of the recent IEA report setting out a roadmap for the global energy sector to ensure global temperature rises can be limited to 1.5°C. The need for further, […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided significant challenges, but it has also presented a wealth of opportunities when it comes to sustainability and our global energy footprint. However, there is still a lot of work to be done in changing hearts and minds with regards to sustainability. Time and time again, it is increasingly evident that […]

“The Earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice: either we continue as we are and irreparably damage our planet, or we remember our unique power as human beings and our continual ability to lead, innovate and problem-solve. People can achieve great things. The next ten years present us with one […]

With effect from Tuesday 31st August 2021, the London offices of Withers & Rogers LLP and Withers & Rogers Renewals LLP will be relocating. Full address and contact details for our new offices can be found below. New address: 2 London Bridge, London, SE1 9RA, United Kingdom. Our London telephone and fax numbers will remain […]

A new study conducted by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) has found overwhelming levels of growth in terms of patent filings in the space industry. The report shows that since 2010, the number of patent families being filed each year […]

As the UEFA Euro 2020 and Copa América come to their conclusion, the use of technology on and beyond the pitch is more common than ever. It’s worth having a look at some of the patents protecting the latest innovations, from VAR and player tracking, to football balls and football shoes. The Video Assistant Referee […]

I am very pleased to announce that as of 1st April 2021, I will be stepping into the position of Chair of Withers & Rogers. The past year has been challenging in many ways, and I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead the agenda on how we emerge from the pandemic […]

The major IP offices that we deal with have reacted to the COVID-19 outbreak in various ways as follows: European Patent Office: The EPO has published a dedicated webpage tracking their response to COVID-19 disruption. Their earlier blanket extension provision has been lifted, and from 2 June 2020, extensions to deadlines, and forgiveness for missed […]

It could be a good time to spring-clean your IP portfolio – how to go about it In these unusual times of lockdown, many people have turned to tidying up their gardens and spring cleaning their houses.  Let’s face it, we’re all spending a lot more time at home and many people have a bit […]

“The EUIPO has issued a Decision stating that all EUIPO deadlines falling due from 9 March 2020 to 30 April 2020 inclusive are extended until 1 May 2020 (because of the COVID-19 pandemic). We understand that this will not apply to Paris Convention cases filed with the EUIPO. We intend to send you individual emails on […]

The EPO has issued a courtesy advance notice stating that it expects to extend EPO deadlines falling due from 15 March to 16 April 2020 inclusive until 17 April 2020 (because of the COVID-19 pandemic). We understand that this will not apply to Paris Convention cases filed with the EPO, or possibly divisional deadlines, but will […]

The UK will formally leave the EU on 31 January 2020 but under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement agreed between the UK and the EU this will commence a transition period until at least 31 December 2020. There will be no legal effect of Brexit on statutory IP rights until the end of the […]

Withers & Rogers Diversity & Inclusion group has been shortlisted for HR / Wellbeing Team of the Year at the inaugural This Can Happen Awards 2019. In its first year, the This Can Happen Awards celebrates and recognises companies and individuals from across all sectors, who have shown excellence in their approach towards positive mental […]

As of 1 June, we have a new office location in Munich, on Kaulbach Strasse, Schwabing, in the heart of Munich.  Uli Wittmann, who joined us as a Partner on 1 April, along with Ute Pfaller and Henriette März, and other colleagues including Trainee Attorneys and Paralegals. The new office will host a total of […]

Through the ability of Artificial Intelligence, the health care sector can find solutions to effective treatment to cure diseases.   Partner, Adrian Tombling explores why AI is huge for drug research and what impact this could have on the pharmaceutical industry. As AI is created by a computer, it does raise the question, who owns […]

Why should you consider patent protection for your Blockchain technology? Partner, Philip Horler explains the role of Blockchain in anti-counterfeiting and the benefits of protecting the technology.  Philip Horler Electronics, Computing & Physics group If you require further information on anything covered in this briefing, please contact Philip Horler (phorler@withersrogers.com; +44 207 940 3600) […]

On 24 September 2018, the UK government released guidance on the impact of a no-deal Brexit on EU trade marks. The guidance has not yet been enacted as legislation; and its sole aim is to clarify the UK’s intended actions should we encounter a no-deal Brexit, resulting in the UK leaving the European Union on […]

Canada has ratified the Hague Agreement for the International Registration of Industrial Designs. Canada can be designated in new Hague design filings from 5 November 2018. The Hague Agreement enables applicants to seek protection of registered designs/design patents in 69 territories (that includes all European Union member states, USA, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the […]

On 7 June 2018 in the case of Scotch Whisky Association v Michael Klotz[1], the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) was asked to determine whether use of the term “Glen” by Michael Klotz, a producer of a German whisky called “Glen Buchenbach”, indirectly and unlawfully infringed the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) “Scotch […]

The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) has elected Tania Clark, partner in Withers & Rogers’ Trade Mark group, as its new President. Tania commenced her two-year term on 10 April 2018.

Following a Decision of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation (found here), it is now possible to pay the third year renewal fee for European patent (EP) applications up to six months in advance of the due date. Previously, with regard to all renewal fees due for an EP application, it was only […]

Following the UK IPO’s consultation[1] on patent fees, the UK IPO has decided to go ahead with a number of changes[2] to the fees for applying for patent protection and renewing granted patents. These changes include both increases to current fees, and the introduction of new fees. These changes will come into effect on 6 […]

Small and medium sized companies in Coventry & Warwickshire have the opportunity to obtain grants of typically between £25-50,000 to assist with costs relating to intangible assets (such as patents, trade marks and copyright), relating to seconded personnel and relating to support services. This is aimed at advancing the development of innovative products and services […]

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 […]

From 1 October 2016 the UK IPO fee structure for registering designs in the UK will change. For many years applicants have had the option of filing one or several designs within a single application but the cost of filing lots of designs to protect various aspects of a product has been prohibitive for many, […]

Withers & Rogers former Chairman Karl Barnfather was delighted to moderate the opening panel session, on the Implications of Brexit and the UPC, to the MIP European Patent Reform Forum in Munich on Tuesday 6 September 2016.   On the panel was Margot Fröhlinger of the European Patent Office and Professor Tilmann of the University of […]

The people of the UK have voted to leave the European Union (EU). The referendum of 23 June 2016 concerning the UK’s membership of the EU has resulted in 52% of voters opting for the UK to leave the economic and political union established under the EU. From an Intellectual Property user’s perspective nothing will […]

A recent High Court decision explains the tests for obviousness and insufficiency resulting from a “clearing the way” action brought by Actavis against Eli Lilly (Lilly).  Actavis intended to invalidate Lilly’s patent on the basis of a lack of inventive step and insufficiency. Lilly’s patent relates to the second medical use of atomoxetine in the […]

Case C-396/15 P Shoe Branding Europe BVBA v Adidas AG European Court of Justice, 17 February 2016 The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has upheld a decision of the General Court allowing Adidas to oppose the registration of a trade mark consisting of two parallel stripes placed on the side of footwear. Shoe Branding Europe, […]

The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced increases in its renewal fees from 1 April 2016. The fees will increase by approximately 1%. For example, the 6th year renewal will increase from €1040 to €1050. Meanwhile, the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) has also announced changes in renewal fees effective from 1 April 2016, a reduction […]

Our latest IP Review is now available online here: www.withersrogers.com/ebrochure/ip-review/autumn-2015/ In this issue we report on some interesting developments, including a wave of altruism that has swept over some of the world’s best known companies in recent times, changes in US practice that affect the patentability of biodiagnostics, and recent developments in China to strengthen its […]

On Monday 24 August 2015 the Sheffield office of Withers & Rogers LLP will relocate from Electric Works to new premises within Sheffield city centre. Our full address and contact details can be found below. Please update your records and inform colleagues accordingly. We look forward to welcoming you to our offices in the near […]

Last year we reported the decision of the UK High Court in the case of Actavis v Lilly, concerning the anti-cancer drug pemetrexed disodium (see here). To recap briefly, the UK High Court ruled that Actavis’ pemetrexed dipotassium product did not infringe Lilly’s patent directed to pemetrexed disodium either under direct infringement, or under indirect […]

The EPO recently announced slight changes (found here) to the procedure regarding Rule 71(3) EPC communications, which allows an applicant a final opportunity to amend or correct their application before grant. Prior to 1 July 2015, when an applicant responded to a R71(3) communication with amendments, a new R71(3) communication had to be issued if […]

Withers & Rogers is pleased to announce the promotion of Denis Keseris to Partner as of 1 April 2015. Denis is a patent attorney in our Electronics, Computing & Physics group. He joined the firm in the London office in 2012 and specialises in information and communications technology, with a particular focus on optical and […]