Richard Wilson, Author at Appleyard Lees

Articles Jul152020

Are digital twins as patentable as their physical counterparts?

We live in an increasingly digital world – not only do more of us communicate with each other and access information or content using ‘apps’ and the internet, but some of the work we may have previously conducted in the ‘real’ or physical world is now being performed using computer simulations or digital twins.

Articles Jul062020

Finding the ‘right’ slogan: FMCG sector to “Have a break” after all…

In the United Kingdom and European Union, it is notoriously difficult to register slogans as trade marks. To stand a chance of success, brand owners must prepare their case

Articles Jun292020

CRISPR: An update

What is CRISPR? Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) are a family of DNA sequences found in bacteria.

Articles Jun262020

What’s the scoop on the Mr Whippy decision?

Despite “convincing arguments” against the strength of the evidence of use submitted by Unilever Plc, following the close-cut decision of the IPO on the 11 November 2019, the applicants’

Podcasts Jun252020

The Greenshoots Podcast by Appleyard Lees – features of EPO virtual opposition hearings

Partners and patent attorneys Julia Gwilt and Bobby Smithson discuss: Features of EPO virtual opposition hearings | Unexpected pros | Discreet communication between attorney, client and witness | Learnings & tips | ‘Reading the room’ | Procedural quirks | Would the outcome have been different if parties attended in person?

Articles Jun252020

Sufficiency at the UK Supreme Court in Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc v Kymab Ltd

The UK Supreme Court handed down the judgment in a much anticipated biotech decision on 24 June. The Court found that Regeneron’s patents are invalid for lack of sufficient disclosure.

Articles Jun182020

Drug repurposing to treat COVID-19

Practical, legal and moral implications where research involves patent-protected drugs One of the big talking points at present is how we can get back to living our lives in a

Articles Jun162020

Sources of funding for innovation, and innovators, in the wake of COVID-19 and beyond

Sourcing funding for innovation is currently at the forefront of many businesses’ agenda in response to the current global pandemic. While it is an uncertain time for many, there are

Articles May282020

Akebia and Fibrogen – Lord Justice Arnold applies “Doctrine of Equivalents”

In this judgment at the High Court, Lord Justice Arnold stepped down from the Court of Appeal to the High Court to hear the case. His findings on infringement may

Articles May192020

Green innovation and IP post-COVID-19: part one

Part one – green energy The National Grid confirmed recently that the UK has completed more than a full month without power input from the country’s coal-fired power stations. With

Articles May132020

Intellectual property for start-ups in a post-COVID world: part five – managing know-how and trade secrets

This series of articles explores the effect of COVID-19-related disruption on start-ups’ management and monetisation of intellectual property (IP), giving practical guidance to start-ups to improve and preserve their position