Strategy

The European Commission is seeking to make it easier to place generic drugs on the market on expiry of SPC protection. Eric Enderlin outlines the implications.

Businesses need to understand and regularly review the scope of their IP agreements, not only to ensure they protect their valuable IP rights from theft or accidental lapse, but also to maximise opportunities to increase the value and income of their IP portfolios.

It has become common practice in modern advertising for innovation-driven companies to shout about the patent rights protecting their products, including marking products with patent numbers. Doing so also acts as a deterrent to infringers and can increase the likelihood of successfully claiming damages where infringement does occur. However, the practice does not come without risks, as Eric Siecker explains.

It takes time, resources and money to create and launch distinctive and effective brands. But how can you be sure that the brand name you have chosen is really yours to use?

Tomorrow (15 June) is the UK’s national beer day, Beer Day Britain. In preparation for the nationwide communal cheers planned for 7pm, we take a look at some of the trademark issues around craft beer names.

Social media networks provide an opportunity to reach and interact with customers in new and, often, more effective ways. But these opportunities are not without risks.

IP isn’t always the first priority for a business preparing for an initial public offering (IPO); however, the sooner you start thinking about your IP assets, the better prepared you’ll be.

Many companies estimate the health and relative worth of their IP portfolios based on size alone. However, those IP rights will be worth far less if the following checks and balances are not also considered.

In today’s budget-focused boardrooms, trademark attorneys need to show that the legal rights that protect those brands aren’t unnecessary costs, but instead add value to the business.

The production and trade of counterfeit goods in and from the People’s Republic of China is the thorn in the side of many well-known brands, but it’s not only the global giants that are affected.

A seniority claim allows the owner of a European Trademark (EUTM) to claim prior rights based on existing national trademark registrations within member states of the European Union.

Patents, trademarks, designs and other forms of intellectual property (IP) play a key role in the success of all modern businesses.