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  • Michael Jaeger unpacks HMRC’s report on the initial uptake of the UK’s Patent Box

    23 December 2016

    The UK’s Patent Box came into effect on 1 April 2013. Under the scheme UK companies are able to pay a reduced rate of Corporation Tax on certain profits derived from patented technology. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) published its first report¹ on the uptake of the scheme on 14 September 2016, and that report […]

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  • EPO puts brakes on essentially biological processes

    15 December 2016

    In frustrating news for the biotech industry, we can report that the European Patent Office (EPO) has decided to suspend all examination and opposition proceedings for inventions concerning plants/animals that are obtained by means of essentially biological processes.  This follows a recent non-binding Notice from the European Commission (EC) regarding the interpretation of certain aspects […]

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  • The Final Twist: Rubik’s Cube Trade Mark Declared Invalid by EU Court

    1 December 2016

    On 10 November 2016, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decided that the famous Rubik’s Cube could not be a registered trade mark. This marks the end of a ten year tussle over the registrability of one of the world’s best-selling toys of all time. The trade mark in question is Seven […]

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