PATENTS, TRADE MARKS AND DESIGNS
WE HELP INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES OF ALL shapes and SIZES
Schlich is a unique team of European Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys based in the South of England. Since 2004, we’ve helped our clients acquire, and defend, their IP assets, helping them to build and grow successful businesses based on their IP assets.
We draft and file patent applications, get them granted and enforce them. We also prepare and file trade mark applications and prosecute them to registration.
To enforce our clients’ rights, we also represent them in court and other inter partes proceedings (and, where necessary, attack and remove competitors’ rights).
Recent Insights
Read the latest news and briefings from the team at Schlich about real cases involving patents, trade marks and designs.
Safestand stands taller as Court of Appeal finds trestle designs valid
The recent Court of Appeal decision in Safestand Limited v Weston serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that representations provided as part of a design application are clear and consistent so as to ensure that upon an objective assessment, the representations are found to relate to a single product and not a collection of different embodiments.
UPC Case Law Update: Problem-Solving and Provisional Measures
Munich Local Division Endorses EPO’s Problem-Solution Approach In Edwards Lifesciences vs Meril (UPC_CFI_501/2023), the Munich Local Division (LD) has affirmed the use of the problem-solution approach (PSA) for assessing inventive step. The PSA, a method long established by the European Patent Office (EPO) and its Boards of Appeal, is designed to objectively determine whether an […]
Use Claims Can be Method Claims in Disguise, says the EPO
Strict rules of interpretation apply to the four categories of claim permitted by the EPO (product, method, apparatus, and use). It is usually clear from the claim wording which claim category is used to define an invention, however a recent decision from one Board of Appeal has confirmed that, in certain cases, claims initially appearing to be use claims are, in fact, to be interpreted as method claims.
Winter Came for Game of Döner: Game of Thrones Prevails in Trademark Battle
Not even a spicy kebab twist could hold off the winter for Game of Döner — Game of Thrones made sure Game of Döner bent the knee.
In the dog house – Has the Bad Spaniels case finally reached a conclusion?
VIP Products LLC v. Jack Daniel's Properties
Who/What Can You Trust To Keep A Secret…?
In the age of rapid digital communication, artificial intelligence (AI) models have become indispensable tools for brainstorming, drafting, and technical problem-solving. However, for inventors, startups, and R&D teams, there's a significant legal risk that often goes unnoticed: disclosing a patentable invention to an AI model before filing a patent application can jeopardize the ability to secure patent rights.
Landmark CJEU judgement opens up new avenues for European patent litigation
In a recent landmark judgement, the CJEU confirmed the possibility of European patent holders being able to consolidate actions for patent infringement across multiple EU and non-EU member states at a single EU court. For patent holders looking to assert their IP in an efficient, and likely more cost-effective and harmonious manner, the implications of the CJEU decision on enforcement strategies before both national courts and the UPC are noteworthy.
When it comes to Post Filed Data, the Earlier the Better – A Brief Reminder Following G 2/21
This recent decision of the EPO Boards of Appeal, T 1865/22, reminds applicants to include clear details of the claimed technical effect in the application as filed and to file evidence in support of said technical effect as early as possible
EXCELLENCE IN PATENT AND TRADE MARK LAW
The Schlich Team
Our clients expect and receive a responsive, friendly, high quality and great value service thanks to our experienced professionals. Our UK and European Patent Attorneys and Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys have a broad range of scientific and technical degrees and Ph.Ds from top UK Universities, and have decades of experience advising at cutting edge of legal and commercial issues and technologies.
We build on our deep experience of prosecution and inter partes proceedings to give the best strategic and practical advice, and to secure the best patent and trade mark protection for our clients’ innovations. Our team does this efficiently, and in a friendly and clear manner, supported by a wider team of highly skilled and experienced legal support staff.
Latest Firm News
Schlich Endorses Electric Green for The Earthshot Prize 2025!
We are delighted to announce we have put our client, Electric Green, forward to CIPA for a nomination for The Earthshot Prize 2025. CIPA’s case study features Electric Green’s wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging system and can be read here.
Schlich Hosts Coffee Morning to Raise Money for Local Hospice
If there is one thing the Schlich team does best (in addition to handling IP matters of course), it is getting together to eating cake!
2025 – New Year, New Promotions at Schlich
As we ring in the new year, we are delighted to announce that Schlich has two new Senior Associates, Dr David Eyre and Dr Carolyn Haywood.
