Insights

Articles May052025

Optus v Apple – CoA increases FRAND licence to $500m ($700m with interest) in favour of Optus

In a judgment that further swings the pendulum back towards the UK being a 'SEP-owner-friendly' jurisdiction, the CoA has set the terms of the FRAND licence payable by Apple at a little over $700m ($500m + $200m interest).

Articles Apr292025

IP audits – what are the benefits?

In this article, Senior Associate, Rachel Mercer, and Trainee Patent Attorney, Emma Lyons, explore the value of IP audits for businesses of all sizes. Discover how an audit can uncover hidden assets, support funding efforts, and strengthen your IP strategy. With the UKIPO’s updated ‘IP Advance’ scheme offering financial support to SMEs, now is an ideal time to assess and optimise your IP portfolio.

Articles Apr232025

Patenting user-centric inventions in the UK is technically possible

In this article, we look at a recent UK case that illustrates how a user-centric invention that utilises hardware components, such as sensors and displays, can still fail to have an effect on a technical process. We also discuss how we can help you to determine whether a user-centric invention is likely to be patentable or not patentable in the UK.

Articles Apr042025

Make way for the new EU design! EU design directive (2024/2823) and EU design regulation (2024/2822)

New EU design legislation, which came into force on 8 December 2024, will shortly start coming into effect. The legislation aims to modernise the EU design system, increase accessibility and strengthen EU design rights, reinforcing the value in design protection.

Articles Mar132025

Patent Box – backdating and example calculation – part 5

Part 5 of our Patent Box article series discusses the Patent Box tax relief, specifically addressing the possibility of backdating claims, retrospective Patent Box claims, and how to calculate the Patent Box deduction for accounting periods from 1 April 2023, using an example to demonstrate how the tax reduction works.

Articles Mar072025

Patent Box eligibility – patent jurisdiction and qualifying development – part 4

In part 4 of our Patent Box article series, we discuss the Patent Box tax relief in the UK, detailing the eligibility criteria for companies to reduce their Corporation Tax on profits from patented inventions.

Articles Mar042025

Interim licence declarations in SEP/FRAND litigation – Court of Appeal broadens opportunity for licensees to obtain ‘non-willingness’ declaratory relief against SEP holders

On 28 February 2025, the Court of Appeal (“CoA”) handed down its judgment as part of the ongoing Lenovo v Ericsson SEP/FRAND dispute, reversing the decision of the Patents Court and siding with Lenovo.

Articles Feb272025

Patent Box eligibility – ownership and exclusive licencing – part 3

In this article we explore eligibility for Patent Box. To be eligible, a company must pay Corporation Tax, profit from patented inventions, own or exclusively license the patents, and have undertaken qualifying development.

Articles Feb202025

Patent Box and R&D tax credits – part 2

In this article we look at the difference between Patent Box and R&D Tax Credits. Patent Box reduces Corporation Tax on profits from patented inventions, while R&D Tax Credits lower tax liability or provide credits based on R&D spending.

Articles Feb132025

What is Patent Box tax relief? Part 1

In this article we explore how Patent Box allows UK companies to apply a reduced 10% Corporation Tax rate on profits from patented inventions. To qualify, a company must pay Corporation Tax, profit from patents, own or exclusively license them, and have undertaken qualifying development. In 2022-2023, 1,600 companies claimed £1.5 billion in relief, with 61% from manufacturing, while other sectors had minimal participation.

Articles Feb042025

Court of Appeal overturns the High Court’s dismissal of Thatchers’ trade mark infringement claim against Aldi

This article discusses the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the High Court’s dismissal of Thatchers’ trade mark infringement claim against Aldi. The court ruled that Aldi’s packaging closely resembled Thatchers’ trade mark and was designed to benefit from its reputation, constituting trade mark infringement. The decision reinforces legal protections against ‘lookalike’ products.