Thought Leadership

In today’s competitive landscape, effective commercial licensing strategies are essential for unlocking the full value of intellectual property. This article explores four critical pillars: understanding intellectual property as a property right, the fundamentals of licensing intellectual property rights, structuring successful joint ventures and best practices for intellectual property rights management. Whether you’re navigating new markets or scaling established innovations, these tips provide a roadmap for protecting, leveraging and maximizing your IP assets.

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics recognised John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis for proving macroscopic quantum tunnelling in electric circuits, a breakthrough that enabled quantum computing. Their pioneering research led to hundreds of patents, including innovations in MRI and quantum technology, highlighting the real-world impact of their discoveries.

The UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy 2025 sets ambitious targets to secure essential minerals for key industries by boosting domestic production, recycling, and innovation. The article highlights the vital role of intellectual property (IP) in supporting technological advances, encouraging collaboration, and strengthening the UK’s supply chains for a sustainable future.

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognised the creators of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), innovative materials with huge potential for water harvesting, clean energy, and environmental solutions. Their work has sparked a surge in global patent activity and new industrial application.

It is fair to say that no technology in recent times has created so much excitement and controversy as generative AI, and in particular Large Language Models (LLMs). Generative AI companies and their backers have their sights on generating billions, if not trillions of dollars, directly or indirectly from their models. Models which, in the vast majority of cases, are trained on original works without permission from, or payment to, their authors. The works used for training are primarily obtained by scraping the open web, a uniquely vast repository of publicly accessible knowledge and information, constantly updated to reflect the latest developments in human knowledge and culture.

Potential investors and development partners will expect to see an IP portfolio and strategy which maximises protection for the assets under development.

Semiconductors have always been a critical technology but have grown significantly in strategic importance in recent years. They have become the key building block in developing and existing markets, including quantum computing, edge computing, AI, IoT, automotive, cellular data technology, smartphones, robotics, and many more. The complex designs and innovations that power semiconductor manufacturing are invaluable both to the world’s economy and technological advancement. Consequently, the semiconductor industry has found itself at the centre of geopolitical tensions, especially between the United States and China. It has become a prime target for cyberattacks and intellectual-property (IP) theft. As such, companies operating in this area must be more vigilant in protecting their intellectual assets.

Insulet v. EOFlow UPC_CFI_773/2025 and UPC_CFI 774/2025 (Milan CD), decision of 15 October 2025[1] The dispute began when Insulet sought a provisional injunction against EOFlow to prevent...

Brita v. Aquashield UPC CFI 248/2024 (Munich LD), decision of 22 August 2025[1] UPC CFI 564/2024 (Munich LD), decision of 16 October 2025[2] Brita sued Aquashield and others for infringement of...

In today’s interconnected world, innovation rarely stops at borders. Whether you’re a multinational corporation or a UK-based business with global ambitions, your patent strategy should reflect the reality that your products, services, and competitors operate internationally. Much like a well-travelled backpacker planning a round-the-world adventure, businesses must prepare carefully—mapping out routes, anticipating local rules, and packing what’s essential—to ensure a smooth journey.

The Unified Patent Court promised simplified and faster patent litigation across Europe. Two years in, we look at whether it’s delivering on that promise. For patent holders and defendants alike, the duration of infringement actions can significantly impact market strategies, investment decisions, and competitive positioning. In this article, we set out an in-depth analysis of how the court’s procedural rules are shaping the pace of litigation. By examining key milestones—from the filing of an infringement action to the issuance of a final judgment—we assess whether the UPC is delivering on its promise of efficiency.

We have been keeping a close eye on the decisions coming out of the UPC and as the court starts to establish itself a number of practice points are starting to emerge.

expert v. Seoul Viosys, UPC_CoA_380/2025 Order of 20 August 2025 (ORD_22147/2025)[1] This order from the UPC Court of Appeal clearly states that the Court of Justice of the EU cannot be asked to...

UPC_CFI_318/2025, decision of 5 August 2025 (ORD_34299/2025)[1] In a default judgment issued by the Düsseldorf Local Division of the Unified Patent Court, Whale Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

On 2 July 2025, the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) issued its landmark decision in case G 1/23 (Solar Cell Sealing Materials and Solar Cell Module), a ruling that has...