United Kingdom: Patent

The Supreme Court's decision in Emotional Perception AI has reshaped how software inventions are examined at the UKIPO, aligning UK practice with the EPO's approach. A recent hearing demonstrates that while determining eligibility may be straightforward, assessing which features possess technical character presents significant challenges that can fundamentally impact the inventive step analysis.

Developing effective crop protection patents in Europe requires navigating complex challenges involving chemistry, biology, regulation and commercial strategy. From establishing inventive step for novel active ingredients to protecting formulations and synergistic combinations, agrochemical innovators must consider multiple layers of patent protection that align with lengthy regulatory timelines and evolving market needs.

Recent UK case law demonstrates how experimental evidence can decisively influence patent disputes on infringement and validity, but only when parties navigate strict procedural requirements, proportionate disclosure obligations, and careful alignment with patent specifications. Courts increasingly scrutinize the design, statistical rigor, and relevance of experiments while maintaining pragmatic standards for admissibility versus persuasiveness.

As the global space sector accelerates, businesses face mounting pressure to balance innovation with sustainability while securing the intellectual property that underpins commercial success.

As humanity ventures further into space, the territorial nature of patent law faces unprecedented challenges. How can inventors protect innovations used beyond Earth's atmosphere, where no nation holds sovereignty? This article examines existing legal frameworks and explores whether current patent systems can adequately safeguard space-based inventions.

As commercial space activity accelerates and nations invest in orbital manufacturing and extraterrestrial bases, the question of patent protection beyond Earth becomes increasingly urgent. With no comprehensive framework for intellectual property rights in outer space, how might existing terrestrial patent systems be adapted to protect innovations on Mars, the Moon, and beyond?

The UPC Court of Appeal has confirmed that the Unified Patent Court can exercise jurisdiction over European patent applications, provided they are granted before the defendant files their statement of defence. This landmark decision means patent holders may now be locked into the UPC system even before their patents are officially granted, fundamentally changing the strategic timing considerations for opting out of UPC jurisdiction.

The Unified Patent Court's long-arm jurisdiction has emerged as a critical concern for manufacturers operating outside Europe, particularly those based in the US and China. Recent decisions demonstrate how corporate structure, European subsidiaries, and regulatory intermediaries can expose companies to pan-European patent litigation extending beyond UPC member states. Understanding these jurisdictional mechanisms and their implications for operations in non-UPC countries like the UK, Spain, and Switzerland

Liverpool has been named as a finalist for the World Intellectual Property Organisation's City of Innovation award, recognising the city's commitment to fostering innovation and creativity. The city region demonstrates particular strengths in life sciences, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing, with support from organisations like Sci-Tech Daresbury and Knowledge Quarter Liverpool's KQ CLICK business support program.