Blog & News

Importance of Registering your Designs

  When undertaking an intellectual property audit of their business, designers often overlook registered designs. However, having your products protected by registered designs has multiple advantages. UK registered design protects…

How to use a trade mark

You filed the application, waited patiently through the opposition period, then waited a little longer for the registration certificate (which is now framed on the office wall) but now what…how…

Debunking Misconceptions About Registered Design Rights in the UK

Registered design rights are a valuable form of intellectual property protection that play a critical role in safeguarding the visual appearance of products. However, there are several misconceptions surrounding registered…

How to tackle a domain dispute in the UK

If you have a complaint related to a domain name in the UK, you may need to follow the dispute resolution process provided by the domain registry or registrar. The…

Do I need a Cookie Policy on my website?

In today’s digital age, websites play a crucial role in connecting businesses with their audience. However, as the online ecosystem evolves, so do the legal requirements governing website operations. One…

Understanding the Use Requirement for Maintaining a Trade Mark Registration in the UK

In today’s competitive business environment, establishing a strong market presence is crucial for success. For businesses, their trade mark serves as a symbol of their brand’s identity, and obtaining a…

How do trade mark classes work?

The scope of protection offered by trade marks is, by design, limited. The idea being that it should be possible for identical marks to co-exist on the same register providing…

Trade Mark Appeals to the Appointed Person

The Appointed Person is, as the name would suggest, a person appointed by the Ministry of Justice to hear and determine (in a trade mark context) appeals from the UK…

The role of AI in anti-counterfeit technology

Following on from our recent series of blogs examining some of the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (‘AI’) (here, here), commentators are becoming increasingly optimistic as to some of the…

Can I use someone else’s trade mark?

A trade mark owner has a legal right to prevent you from using their registered mark without their permission. However, while that is the ‘default rule’, there are many circumstances…

Disney turns 100

I’m friends with a couple who are OBSESSED with Disney. They’ve seen all the movies. They know all the songs. They’ve been on multiple trips to multiple Disneylands in multiple…

Social Media Handles – Are they infringing on your rights?

In the era of social media dominance, establishing a distinctive online presence is crucial for businesses and individuals alike. Yet, the digital landscape is not without its challenges, especially when…

The Perils of Signing Legal Undertakings without Legal Advice

Picture this: you open your mailbox, and there it is—an unexpected letter of claim, asserting trade mark infringement. The pressure to resolve the matter quickly may lead to the receipt…

How to audit your IP

Every business owns some form of intellectual property but unfortunately not every business has properly audited its IP. Why is this I hear you ask? IP is clearly a valuable…

Can Santa Claus get a trade mark?

It’s that time of year again. We are all navigating the wet Christmas markets and shoulder barging our way through department stores/ clicking “proceed to basket” via various online marketplaces…

Do I Need a Shareholders’ Agreement For My Company?

As entrepreneurs embark on the exciting journey of establishing a business in the UK, it’s essential to lay a strong foundation for the company’s success. While many aspects require careful…

What is IP Strategy – A Guide for UK Businesses

Introduction A brief overview of intellectual property Breaking the term “intellectual property” or “IP” down into its component parts, the word ‘intellectual’ relates to products of the human mind or…

The Chronicles of AI

The cat is truly out the bag now when it comes to Artificial Intelligence or “AI”. AI is not a new concept by any means. The concept of computer AI…

What is the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court

The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) is part of the Chancery Division of the High Court. The IPEC is based in the Rolls Building in London and was previously known…

What does copyright protect?

If you’ve heard of intellectual property then I’m sure you’ve also heard of copyright, which is one of a number of intellectual property rights available to creatives. And it’s a…

To what extent can “parody” be used as a defence to copyright infringement claims?

What is the issue? What constitutes ‘parody’? The preliminary ruling from the Brussels Court of Appeal sought clarification on ‘parody’ under Article 5(3)(k)-InfoSoc Directive. This allowed EU member states to…

Don’t make a Pyg’s Ear Out Of It – The Importance of Standing Up for Your Established Business and Brand

A legal dispute is unfolding between two seemingly similar restaurant brands — ‘Little Pig’ and ‘Little Pyg’. The owner of Little Pig, Michael Martin, has taken the matter to court,…

Trade Mark Infringement: How to Protect Your Brand

In today’s competitive business landscape, protecting your brand is essential for maintaining its value and reputation. Trade mark infringement poses a significant threat to a brand’s identity and can undermine…

Ownership of Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property rights can be valuable assets for companies, so it is very important to understand who owns what. The general starting point is that the owner of intellectual property…