Practical Law

Practical Law Global Intellectual Property & Technology has published 34 Quick Compare charts, which allow you to review and compare information about IP law and practice across different jurisdictions. The charts provide multi-layered content, allowing you to view “at a glance” summaries, together with more detailed explanations, citations and links to other relevant resources.

On 9 June 2018, the UK’s Trade Secrets (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2018 (the Regulations) implemented into UK law the 8 June 2016 EU Directive on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure ((EU) 2016/943) (the Directive). The Directive aims to harmonise the approach to trade … Continue reading UK Trade Secrets Regulations: time for proaction →

The European Commission has today issued a notice to stakeholders outlining the ways in which the UK’s withdrawal from the EU will impact upon UK copyright. The notice confirms that, subject to any transitional arrangement to be agreed between the parties to the Brexit negotiations, as of the withdrawal date, the EU rules in the … Continue reading EU Commission notice highlights impact of Brexit on UK copyright →

A group of organisations representing the interests of rights holders and intellectual property (IP) practitioners across the EU has submitted a joint statement to the European Commission on the treatment of trade marks and design rights post-Brexit.

A look at some recent developments in trade mark law in relation to protecting 3D shapes, two-colour combinations and logo marks, and what this means for brand owners.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not new. Cognitive scientist John McCarthy coined the term in his 1955 proposal for the 1956 Dartmouth Artificial Intelligence Conference, which gave birth to the field of AI. In recent years, however, vast improvements in computing power and heavy investments by giant technology companies have brought about a revolution in AI … Continue reading AI revolution changing the landscape for brands →

I wrote last month about the market practice research Practical Law is conducting into cross-border intellectual property (IP), which includes asking legal practitioners to participate in this survey. Very many thanks to all who have participated so far. We have received a range of inputs from private practice and in-house lawyers across the globe, including the … Continue reading Cross-border intellectual property: a snapshot of Practical Law’s survey results →

The European brand owners association, MARQUES, has issued a position paper setting out its proposals for the future of IP rights after withdrawal of the UK from the EU, slamming the UK government’s lack of engagement with this “very technical area of law”, which it says is causing grave damage to European business interests.

We are carrying out some market practice research into intellectual property (IP) matters in a cross-border context and are inviting our readers to participate in a short preliminary survey by following this link.

In its position paper for discussion with the EU27 at the Council working party of 7 September 2017, the European Commission sets out its initial expectations for intellectual property rights after withdrawal of the UK from the EU, in particular in relation to geographical indications and exhaustion of rights. While short, at just five pages long, … Continue reading EU vision for intellectual property rights post-Brexit →