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.
AI is not a suitable IP representative….yet
In a recent trade mark opposition in Benelux, the opponent appointed ChatGPT as their representative, which did not go to plan.
When is a Trade Marked Shape dictated by technical function? When it is Used or When it is Made?
Decision R0012/2024 of the EUIPO Boards of Appeal considered one of Tetra Laval’s well-known packages for liquids and particularly what “obtaining a technical result” means in the context of the shape of a trade mark.
UK High Court Confirms Requests for Arrow Declarations Based on Insufficient Disclosure Miss the Mark
The UK High Court recently refused to grant a request for an Arrow declaration based on a patent lacking sufficient disclosure. This decision indicates that Arrow declarations are to be granted in respect of specific products and processes only, not to declare that a patent application can never lead to grant of a valid patent. The decision also highlights the importance of novelty and inventive step when deciding whether to grant an Arrow declaration, and that sufficiency of disclosure is not relevant to this decision.
Is an Intervener an Opponent or Appellant, or just an Intervener?
A new referral has been made to the Enlarged Board of Appeal relating to the question of whether an appeal can continue with an intervener only, if the appellant has withdrawn.
EPO Tightens Patent Rules for Medical Data Processing Innovations
Background and First Instance Decisions In Europe, claims directed toward mathematical methods are allowable only if it is clear that they contribute to the “technical character” of an invention. Under European practice, to assess the inventive step of a mathematical method claim, it is evaluated whether the method contributes to the “technical character” of the […]
UniQure’s Haemophilia B gene-therapy patent found valid – and infringed by Pfizer
The range of gene-therapies available to patients is ever expanding and it was only a matter of time before a conflict arose that had to be considered by the UK patent courts. Now uniQure has defended its patent for a Haemophilia B gene therapy against a revocation action brought by Pfizer.
EU Design Law is Changing: First Significant Divergence in UK and EU IP Law Since Brexit
Since the UK left the European Union in 2020, neither the UK nor the EU has made any significant changes to its IP legislation, and thus IP laws on both sides of the English Channel have remained primarily in alignment ever since. However, a new EU Regulation and a new EU Directive governing design rights across the EU Member States have recently been introduced, which will not directly affect the corresponding provisions of UK design law. This change therefore marks the first significant divergence in IP legislation post-Brexit.
Tales of Equivalence in the USA
In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit has confirmed it is insufficient to allege two features are equivalent for a finding of equivalence to be reached. Instead, the party alleging equivalence needs to show how the variant achieves substantially the same result, in substantially the same way, as the corresponding feature of the claim.
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
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.
Simon Wright wins CIPA Presidential Election
We would like to congratulate Schlich’s Simon Wright in winning the CIPA Presidential Election!
LINET Group awarded best-designed product in Europe
LINET Group’s Essenza 300 LT bed has been awarded the best designed product in Europe in the Industry category by DesignEuropa.
