The UPC has been open for two years. We bust common myths and misconceptions about the Unified Patent Court and Unitary Patent system, with practical insights and updates from our experts.
CAIP2 confirms AI-created works lack US copyright unless there's identifiable human input. Prompts alone don’t qualify - yet. UK also weighs how to protect AI-involved content.
AI is reshaping food tech—from disease detection in crops to personalised nutrition and smart packaging. Innovation is booming, and IP protection is key as patent filings rise across the sector.
This International Women in Engineering Day, we share perspectives from two of our engineers on their career paths and what excites them about working in IP and engineering.
G1/24 clarifies claim interpretation under the EPC, confirming that the description and drawings must always be consulted - an important shift in EPO practice.
In G1/24, the EPO Enlarged Board ruled that claims must always be interpreted in light of the description and drawings when assessing patentability, even if the claims appear clear on their own.
The UPC’s Court of First Instance confirms the EPO’s problem-and-solution approach as the main method for assessing inventive step, ensuring consistency and legal certainty across Europe.
In Alice Ltd v Photogram, the High Court upheld ALICE's trade mark, confirming infringement and dismissing revocation. A reminder: even modest, well-documented use can protect broad rights.
The EU's AI Continent Action Plan aims to make Europe a global AI leader by enhancing infrastructure, expanding data access, fostering talent, and building a strong regulatory framework.
The UPC now has confirmed authority over pre-UPCA infringements, even during opt-out periods. This landmark decision reshapes jurisdiction expectations.
As UK green tech patents surge, a talent gap threatens progress. Boult helps innovators protect ideas, access funding, and turn sustainable vision into reality with smart IP strategies.
This part of our green tech funding series covers the UK Patent Box—a scheme offering 10% corporation tax on profits from patented IP. Learn eligibility, timing, income types, and R&D credit links.
EPO decision T1553/22 rejects a patent on human-pig chimeras, citing ethical concerns under Article 53(a) EPC due to risks to human dignity from pluripotent stem cell use.
Daryl Penny shares insights on EPO oppositions, UPC litigation, team strategy, and career advice from 23+ years in patents. A must-read for those navigating European IP law.
The UPC's 7-year transitional period (2023–2030) allows opt-outs of “classical” European patents from UPC jurisdiction. After 2030, opt-out ends, UPC gains full control unless already opted out.
The article explores how smart packaging is revolutionizing the food and beverage industry through sustainable materials, freshness tech, interactive features, and improved tracking and security.
The CJEU clarifies SPC Regulation Article 3, ruling on combination products and basic patent protection, aligning with the AG’s opinion but leaving interpretation of "invention" under Article 3(a) open.
Discover UK R&D funding for green tech beyond IP, including UKRI grants, Innovate UK competitions, Catapult schemes, KTPs, and DASA support for defence-related innovations.
Globally, patent protection for polymorphs continues to evolve, with different jurisdictions applying nuanced (and often inconsistent) tests for patentability. Here, we intend
Food & beverage innovations can be patented through unique formulations & processes. Boult provides expert patent drafting to protect your ideas effectively.
The UPC ruling highlights the importance of timely action for provisional measures, stressing quick evidence gathering and adherence to procedural rules for patent claims.
When requesting unitary effect for a granted European patent, the request for unitary effect must also contain a translation of the European patent. In
Startup DeepSeek launched their AI-chatbot DeepSeek-R1 in January 2025 sending shockwaves throughout the tech world and the stock market. The DeepSeek chatbot
Microbes are ubiquitous here on Earth and can survive a range of environmental conditions encompassing broad ranges of temperature, pH, salinity, energy,
The European Union has reformed its design registration system. Key changes inter alia include updated terminology (e.g., “Community Design” becoming “EU Design”)
The food industry has historically relied heavily on trade secrets and trademarks for protection. However, the filing of food-related patent applications is
Dr Nina White, Partner, European Patent Attorney, Registered UPC Representative in the biotechnology and life sciences field at Boult in conversation with
Spray-dried coffee and freeze-dried coffee powders are well-known staples in your local supermarket. Freeze-dried coffee has characteristic shard like grains, whereas spray-dried
Benchmarking is commonplace within the retail market. This is the process in which a company compares its products and methods with those of the most successful companies in
The European Patent Office (EPO) annually recognises exceptional individuals whose inventions are making a significant contribution across sectors to drive technological progress,
As online sales rise and technology advances, counterfeiting of goods is becoming increasingly problematic for many brands. Counterfeit goods are imitations of
In an era where sustainability and environmental consciousness are increasingly critical to consumers, companies are leveraging IP to innovate, protect, and promote
The Enlarged Board of Appeal’s recent decision in consolidated cases G1/22 and G2/22 has greatly simplified the consideration of priority entitlement at
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance and transform various industries, the protection of AI-related inventions through patents becomes increasingly important. Artificial
On 27 April 2023 the European Commission published proposals concerning supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) for medicinal products and plant protection products. SPC protection
Jo Pelly, Partner, wrote recently about the Unified Patent Court’s division of work between its Central Divisions in the article: UPC Central Divisions
The Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office issued the decision in referral G2/21 on 23 March 2023. This referral concerned the admissibility of post-published evidence in the assessment of inventive step.
The EPO are increasing their official fees on 1 April 2023. This fee increase is unusual in that the EPO has historically raised its fees every two years.
Registered design protection is an effective way of protecting a product’s market share from similar looking competing products and obtaining registered designs can significantly improve a company’s position in case a dispute arises.
Registered design protection is an effective way of protecting a product’s market share from similar looking competing products and obtaining registered designs
Assignment documents filed electronically may now be signed using ‘qualified electronic signatures’. Previously Previously, assignments, licences and other agreements for recordal were
The Provisional Application Phase (PAP) of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) has finally started! Austria deposited their ratification of the PAP-Protocol on
The Provisional Application Phase (PAP) of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) has finally started! Austria deposited their ratification of the PAP-Protocol on
There are many examples of technological revolutions that have failed to achieve commercial success. The IEEE’s Spectrum magazine recently focused on General Magic,
The European Unitary Patent is slowly entering the home straight. The Federal Constitutional Court in Germany rejected the constitutional complaint against the
With no provision in the European Patent Convention (EPC) prohibiting double patenting, is the European Patent Office (EPO) nevertheless allowed to refuse
The latest changes to the EPO Guidelines for Examination provide several updates to (i) the patent protection of antibodies, and (ii) the interpretation
In cases of UK patent infringement, the courts may grant a variety of remedies to successful claimants (including damages, court-ordered injunctions, and
Oral Proceedings are a common occurrence during the opposition procedure at the European Patent Office. Importantly, these proceedings provide the patentee and
The EPO’s updated Guidelines for Examination for March 2021 introduces a significant change regarding amendments required to the description before a European
Although substantive law regarding the grant of patents is largely harmonized across Europe, post grant infringement and validity procedures differ from country