United Kingdom: Patent

Researchers at the University of Salford and Škoda have developed an innovative bicycle bell designed to penetrate active noise-cancelling headphones by exploiting a "safety gap" in ANC frequencies.

Intellectual property assets represent critical value drivers for technology companies and startups, yet their true worth extends far beyond registration certificates. This analysis explores how investors and businesses can effectively evaluate IP portfolios through comprehensive due diligence, examining everything from patent validity and trade mark protection to competitor positioning and freedom-to-operate considerations.

As we count down to INTA 2026 in London, we're continuing our series exploring the ideas and challenges shaping the intellectual property landscape.