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Dr Marian Rogers Croak, Black History Month 2023

In this our fifth and final article for Black History Month 2023, we profile Dr Marian Rogers Croak. Dr Marian Rogers Croak is one of a few contemporary black inventors whose work has been acknowledged in her lifetime, and she continues to innovate a...

The Online Safety Bill*

*The Online Safety Act became law on 27 October 2023. Please see our article about the new law below. Following a long gestation, the Online Safety Bill (OSB) has been published with the intention that it come into effect later this month. It is a b...

Dr Valerie Thomas, Black History Month 2023

Our fourth article in our series of articles celebrating Black History Month shines a spotlight on the pioneering scientist and inventor, Dr Valerie Thomas. Dr Valerie Thomas is most widely known for being the inventor of the illusion transmitter and...

Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, Black History Month 2023

To celebrate Black History month and in keeping with the theme of ‘Saluting Our Sisters’, I have chosen to write about a woman who has made enormous contributions in the field of healthcare. Her efforts have been internationally recognised,...

European Patent Office liberalises rules on priority

The Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office has issued its decision in the combined cases G1/22 and G2/22. With this decision, the likelihood that a priority claim is valid even where there is a different applicant for the EPO applicatio...

Lonnie Johnson, Black History Month 2023

This is the second article in our series as we celebrate Black History Month. One individual who has left a mark on the world is Lonnie Johnson, the mind behind the iconic Super Soaker. In this article, we will look at his journey to creating the Super...

Farewell to the 10 day rule

From 1 November 2023, time limits that run from the notification of a communication by the EPO no longer will run from the date of the communication plus 10 days, but from the date that the communication bears. Such time limits for response are indicat...

Remember to seriously consider Part 36 Offers!

Background This is a judgment on costs for a probate case, where the case law for analysing whether a communication should be considered ‘without prejudice’ was discussed. This was then followed up with the application of CPR Part 36. T...

Alice H. Parker, Black History Month 2023

As we move through October and temperatures begin to drop, many of us will be wrapping up, adding extra layers and switching on the heaters. Here’s a woman that inspired many of the modern heating mechanisms we have today…. Alice H. Parker...

Trade Secrets vs. Patents in the UK Space Sector

In this article we take a look at how trade secrets and patents compare as means of protecting inventions by UK space sector businesses. Background Properly protecting intellectual property is a key issue for innovative UK space sector businesses. ...