United Kingdom: Patent

The Barclays Women's Super League is pioneering the use of Connected Ball technology, with Nike and Sportable introducing FIFA-certified smart ball sensors that track every touch, movement, and tactical decision in real-time. This groundbreaking implementation marks the first time any football league has deployed such comprehensive technology at scale, providing unprecedented performance data to players, coaches, and fans alike.

Biotechnology and chemistry startups face a critical question when filing priority patent applications: how much experimental data is actually required? While the answer depends on the predictability of the technology, the European Patent Office's strict disclosure standards mean that insufficient technical support can invalidate priority claims entirely, leaving innovations vulnerable to competitor filings and prior art that emerges during the assumed protection period.

The UK Patents Court has upheld the validity of Novartis' patent and SPC protecting Entresto, its blockbuster heart failure treatment combining valsartan and sacubitril.

Trade secrets represent a powerful yet often overlooked form of intellectual property protection that can provide indefinite competitive advantage without formal registration. Understanding what qualifies as a trade secret, how to effectively protect confidential business information, and when to choose trade secret protection over patents requires careful strategic consideration and robust internal management systems.

A recent UKIPO decision has provided the first detailed application of the Supreme Court's landmark Emotional Perception AI test to computer-implemented inventions, revealing how the new framework produces materially different outcomes from the old Aerotel approach. The case involving FLIR Belgium's marine navigation display patent demonstrates that Hearing Officers are prepared to take a more nuanced, feature-by-feature view than initial Examiner assessments, particularly when features serve safety-critica

Missing a patent renewal fee can be distressing, but it doesn't always mean your patent rights are lost forever. This comprehensive guide examines the restoration procedures across the UK, Europe, and key European jurisdictions, explaining the different legal standards—from the UK's 'unintentional' test to the stricter 'all due care' requirement at the EPO—and the critical timelines you must meet to successfully restore lapsed patent rights.

Filing new applications, seeking foreign protection, responding to examination reports, and paying renewal fees all require significant and sustained expenditure, alongside generating and harvesting the ‘next’ tranche...

Artificial intelligence, wearable devices and at-home diagnostics are revolutionizing personal health management in 2026. From AI-driven health systems that create digital twins to smart rings monitoring physiological signals and home diagnostic tools tracking biomarkers, technology is enabling unprecedented personalization in wellness.

Recent data from England demonstrates that HPV vaccination has achieved a remarkable milestone: zero cervical cancer deaths among vaccinated women under 30, representing an effective 100% reduction in mortality.