News
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Opposition process streamlined at EPO
12 October 2016Read more >As of 1 July 2016, the European Patent Office (EPO) is aiming to increase the speed with which opposition proceedings are brought to a conclusion and thereby improve legal certainty for all parties concerned. The opposition procedure allows any person to centrally challenge the validity of a European patent within nine months of its grant […]
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WIPO introduces new chemical structure searching capability
12 October 2016Read more >Earlier this month, the World Intellectual Property Office announced the addition of a new patent searching tool, which will allow users to locate International patent applications based on chemical structures. Whilst perhaps not of interest to many, this facility has the potential to revolutionise the searching of chemical subject matter. Making it an exciting addition […]
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The Royal Assent of the Finance Act 2016 brings “Patent Box II” into effect
30 September 2016Read more >The Patent Box scheme was introduced by the UK Government in April 2013 to allow UK companies to pay less Corporation Tax on profits generated from the sale of patented products and from the use of patented processes and machinery. Shortly after its introduction, the scheme faced criticism from foreign governments. This led to a […]
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Amendments to the Patents Rules 2007
23 September 2016Read more >What is changing? The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) is introducing a package of changes to the Patents Rules. The Patents Rules 2007, together with the Patents Act 1977, govern the patent system in the UK. The Rules set out the procedural and administrative requirements which apply to patents and patent applications. None of […]
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Report released on the initial uptake of the UK’s Patent Box
22 September 2016Read more >The UK’s Patent Box regime came into force on 1 April 2013, through which companies are able to pay a reduced rate of UK Corporation Tax on profits derived from patented technology. More than three years after its introduction, HM Revenue & Customs have, for the first time, published a report on the uptake of […]
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CIPA – Securing the UK’s continued participation in the Unified Patent Court and Unitary Patent following Brexit
20 September 2016Read more >The legal position, that it is possible for the UK to remain in the UPC and UP has already been widely supported as reported here. This view already included support from CIPA (the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys) and now has further heavyweight backing from a newly published Counsel’s opinion. CIPA, the IP Federation and […]
