Legal News

This month’s update looks at the ongoing debate regarding patentability of computer implemented inventions, new trade mark rules in the UK and upcoming EPO fee changes. Click here for more details.

Firm News

Three members of Appleyard Lees attended a joint golf meeting with the Patent Office and failed to play the "brokers'" game - Hugh Sherrard-Smith won the first prize and John-Paul Rooney was runner up. That unfortunately left no prizes for the other Patent Attorneys present, and saw the patent office going home empty handed. The good relations of our firm with the examiners though were maintained and reinforced.

Hugh Sherrard-Smith, Managing Partner, has recently returned from Japan where he delivered a lecture on European and UK Patent matters to several prominent Japanese companies. He was invited there in order to inform his hosts of recent updates and, in particular, to highlight the implications of the London Agreement, which significantly reduces the translation costs associated with the grant of a European patent. The recently enacted European Law of 2000 (EP2000) was also covered. The lecture was given in Gifu City with a live link to Tokyo.

Appleyard Lees are pleased to announce the opening of a new office in York. The office is situated at the Innovation Centre on the York Science Park, which is part of the University campus. The new office allows us to be close to innovation arising from the various research groups of the University and is also within easy reach of the city, thus enabling us to support local businesses, locally. The opening of an office in York also allows us to provide an alternative point of contact for clients based in North Yorkshire, to supplement our existing Harrogate office. For full details, click here.

Legal News Archive

September 2008: This month's update looks at multinational protection of intellectual property.
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August 2008: This month’s update looks at a recent event hosted by Electronics Yorkshire. The aim of the event was to explore the services to business on offer from universities in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Click here for more details.

July 2008: This month’s update looks at some facts and figures from the EPO. It is now a few months since EPC2000 came into force, and the EPO have issued some statistics on their recent performance and the take up of some of the new options available to applicants. Click here for more details.

May 2008: This month’s update explains how the Pilot Prosecution Highway (PPH) project aims to improve the speed and quality of examination of patent applications before various Patent Offices, including the UKIPO and the EPO.

April 2008: This month’s update concerns changes in the search procedure at OHIM (The Community Trade Mark Office). For full details, please Click here.

February 2008: This month’s update deals with a change in UK patent practice towards computer-related inventions, a new fast-track service for UK Trade Marks and important changes to the fees structure at the EPO. Click here for more details.

January 2008: Please click here for a review of the UK and European position on the registration of non-traditional (i.e. shape, smell, sound) trade marks.

A major change to European patent law took place on 13 December 2007, when EPC2000 entered into force. For more information on what this will bring, please click here to download our leaflet explaining the major changes.

The London Agreement, which will affect the post-grant translation of European patents is due to come into force early in 2008. Please click here to read our briefing note on this important change to European patent practice.