United Kingdom: Patent

The European Patent Office's 2026 Guidelines introduce significant procedural changes affecting patent prosecution and opposition practice. Key updates include the elimination of PACE search requests, refined standards for amendment admissibility during examination with prima facie assessments, and enhanced protections for patentees seeking to amend claims during opposition proceedings while guarding against procedural abuse.

Extended reality (XR) technology has evolved from gaming novelty to critical defence infrastructure, enabling sophisticated training simulations, enhanced battlefield awareness, and mission planning capabilities.

Understanding the financial commitment of patent maintenance is essential for long-term IP protection. UK patents require annual renewal fees starting four years after filing, with costs increasing progressively each year.

Provisional measures may include injunctions, seizure or delivery up of suspected infringing goods or an award for costs. This poses a serious risk to infringers, particularly considering...

In Abbott v Sinocare, UPC_CoA_901/2025, 17 April 2026, the UPC Court of Appeal endorsed the EPO approach to assessing inventive step for computer-implemented inventions.

The UK Intellectual Property Office has unveiled its Corporate Plan for 2026-2027, outlining ambitious digital transformation initiatives and strategic priorities that will reshape how businesses interact with the UK's IP system. From the rollout of the OneIPO platform to enhanced support for commercialising intellectual property and integrating AI tools, these changes promise to modernize IP services while addressing current backlogs and supporting innovation across all sectors.

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.

The European Patent Office Boards of Appeal has issued a significant decision regarding the technical character of database systems for tracking physical tools. When an Examining Division dismissed the invention as merely administrative, the Board of Appeal found that image-based sensing systems that capture physical location data and update databases possess inherent technical character, potentially reshaping how patent examiners assess inventive step in automated asset management systems.

There are countless reasons to celebrate and be grateful for our planet. The purpose of Earth Day is to promote positive environmental action that will help protect our planet for as long as possible.