United Kingdom: Licensing & Syndication

Chemistry start-ups face critical decisions when building patent portfolios that can determine their commercial success. From timing patent applications before public disclosures...

Organisations often hesitate to invest in trade mark watching services due to concerns about unpredictable costs and whether every alert will trigger additional fees. This article examines the structure of trade mark watching services, clarifying what is typically included in the annual fee versus when additional charges may arise, and provides guidance on establishing a cost-effective monitoring framework.

Navigating the complex landscape of double patenting across major pharmaceutical and biotechnology jurisdictions requires strategic planning to build robust patent portfolios. Understanding how different countries handle overlapping claim scopes—from strict prohibitions in India and Canada to lenient approaches in Europe and the U.S.—is essential for securing comprehensive protection while avoiding costly pitfalls.

The COVID-19 pandemic thrust mRNA technology into the global spotlight, transforming decades of foundational research into commercially valuable vaccines almost overnight. This rapid commercialization, combined with enormous revenues and a complex web of overlapping patents, has triggered an unprecedented wave of intellectual property disputes that is reshaping how value is allocated across the biotechnology industry and determining who controls access to next-generation RNA-based medicines.

Europe's patent offices have implemented significant fee increases for 2026, with the EPO raising costs by approximately 5% and the UKIPO imposing steeper hikes averaging 25%. These changes are forcing patent applicants to fundamentally reassess their filing strategies, portfolio management approaches, and long-term cost optimization tactics across European jurisdictions.

For developers, seed companies, and their advisers, this development provides long-awaited certainty on regulatory pathways for gene edited crops.

The UK Rail minister is looking to push towards standardised rolling-stock designs. Could this reshape the industry - not just operationally, but commercially?

Over the last year the UK Court of Appeal has been developing a new line of case law in the FRAND space – creating, for the first time, 'interim licences'.

In the world of hospitality, your premises licence is the cornerstone of your business operation. Whether you run a buzzing bar, a boutique hotel...