Patents

From drugs to robots, patents protect inventions that are novel, involve an inventive step and are capable of industrial application.

OUT-LAW Guides (UK law)

• Patents: the basics
  Discussion of what can be patented; relevant legislation and jurisdiction issues, and the registration process.
• Opinions of the UK Intellectual Property Office
  A procedure to get a quick opinion on whether a patent is infringed to help resolve disputes.
• Proposals for a new European Patent
  A pan-European patent still doesn't exist due to a lack of consensus.
• Threat to international patent protection: the phramaceutical industry's perspective
  'Second-world' governments are trying to reduce the scope of patent protection.
• Patents: obtaining patent protection outside of the UK
  Guidance on obtaining patent protection outside of the UK

Recent OUT-LAW News

• Pan European patent plan receives qualified support
• Landmark patent case heard in Supreme Court
• Hitachi pays out in patent dispute with employee
• Football video game wins European patent
• Chinese patent numbers soar

Contact one of our lawyers

Our intellectual property experts can advise on patent licensing and we have a wealth of litigation experience pursuing and defending patent infringement claims. We also know our limits: we have good working relationships with firms of specialist patent attorneys that we can can put you in touch with to ensure you get the best help avaialble when seeking protection for your invention.

Deborah Bould
Biography
deborah.bould@pinsentmasons.com
+44 (0) 113 368 6514

John Mackenzie
Biography
john.mackenzie@pinsentmasons.com
+44 (0) 131 225 0019

Useful links

• UK Intellectual Property Office patents page
• European Patent Office
• US Patent Office search page