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Big Mac Scaled Back

Someone holding big mac in hands - Big Mac Trade mark

This article was first published in the November 2024 issue of CITMA Review, the journal of the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA). For more information on CITMA, please visit citma.org.uk   On 5th June 2024, the EU’s General Court (GC) issued its judgment in the appeal brought by Supermac’s (Holdings) Ltd against the… Read more »

Absolutely Not Registrable: Summer 2024

UK IP office - Trade Marks Act

As we move further into 2024, the UK IPO continues to demonstrate rigorous examination of trade mark applications. The first six months of the year have seen a string of refusals, particularly concerning attempts to register emblems that hold protected status. In this instalment, we continue to explore these cases, offering a closer look at… Read more »

Language Choices to Save Costs in Patent Filings

WIPO Flag - Patent costs

International patent applications filed using the Patent Cooperation Treaty (‘PCT’) framework allow applicants to select the contracting states of interest for national and/or regional phase applications. The deadline to file an application in any specific country or region is usually 30 or 31 months from the application’s priority date. The deadline for specific countries and… Read more »

Third Party Observations: Understanding the Impact

Third Party Observations

Third party observations are a potentially very useful tool that enables substantive commentary to be filed in relation to pending patent applications. In this article, we will explore the benefits and potential drawbacks associated with third party observations and take a closer look at how the International and European observation procedures may be used to… Read more »

The slow and continuing expansion of the Bolar Exemption

Bolar Exemption - Ampoules

The initial Experimental Use Exemption Acts done for experimental purposes relating to the subject matter of the patented invention have long been provided for as an exemption to patent infringement across the majority of European countries, i.e. those who have adopted the provisions of the Community Patent Convention in their laws.  In the UK this… Read more »

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