Insights

Articles Mar122026

Appleyard Lees acts for successful defendants, Asda and IPL, in first claim for infringement of plant breeders’ rights brought to trial in the UK

"This is an important decision on many levels. In finding against NCP, the court has given clear, seminal guidance on the correct interpretation of essentially derived varieties under UK legislation."

Articles Mar112026

Software and AI Patentability: A Global Overview

This article provides an overview of how AI and software can be patented in key jurisdictions and commercial markets. This will help you and your trusted patent attorney to develop an optimal patent filing strategy for your AI innovations.

Articles Feb272026

Trade secrets: plugging the gaps in your IP protection strategy

As technological developments, as well as macro-political and economic trends, continue to shape research, product development and commercial strategy, many organisations are rethinking how they protect the information that makes innovations valuable.

Articles Feb182026

Common Law Acquiescence in UK Trade Mark Proceedings

Matthew Webster explains how UK courts handle common‑law acquiescence in trade‑mark disputes, how it differs from statutory rules, and how the Marussia EU‑law principle affects UK cases post‑Brexit.

Articles Feb112026

UK Supreme Court dismantles the emotional rollercoaster

The UK Supreme Court delivered their long-awaited judgment in the Emotional Perception AI case. Applicants, innovators and patent attorneys working in the AI space can finally breathe a sigh of relief - it is now much clearer that AI innovations can be patented in the UK.

Articles Feb092026

SEP/(F)RAND – Huawei becomes first SEP holder to seek interim licence; terms set by UK Court

The law around interim licences in SEP/(F)RAND disputes has garnered a lot of coverage lately and, in an interesting development, the UK court has for the first time set the terms of an interim licence with the consent of the net licensor.

Articles Feb062026

Changes at the UK IPO: What Fee Increases and the New Digital System Mean for Applicants

From 1 April 2026, official patent office fees at the UK IPO are set to rise, coinciding with the rollout of the IPO’s new digital patent filing and management platform.

Articles Jan222026

Has the USPTO found a solution to the patent eligibility problem for AI inventions?

The arrival of the new US Patent and Trademark office (USPTO) Director, John A. Squires towards the end of 2025 has led to a flurry of activity from the USPTO in relation to patent eligibility.

Articles Jan192026

Patent Prosecution Highway – speeding towards patent grant

The road to getting a patent can be quite long and winding. This can be advantageous for some patent applicants, particularly start-ups and spin-outs, because it spreads out the costs for patent prosecution over a number of years. However, there are times when it may be desirable to speed-up the patent prosecution process. In this article, we explain a popular way to speed-up the process to getting a patent: the aptly named Patent Prosecution Highway.

Directors and IP – getting up close and personal - part 2

Articles Jan122026

Increases in APHA fees for plant breeders’ rights

The APHA has announced increases for a number of fees relating to the filing of applications for plant breeders’ rights and Great Britain and Northern Ireland variety listings, which will take effect from 1 February 2026. Our experts break down the fee changes.

Articles Jan092026

EU reaches a provisional agreement on NGT plants – what’s the impact on protecting plant innovation in Europe?

In December 2025, the EU Council and Parliament reached a provisional deal to create a new legal framework for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) in plant breeding. Signalling a major shift for EU agri-food innovation - our experts break down everything you need to know about the potential new agreement.