News

The latest insights, sector developments and case updates from Potter Clarkson. Explore up-to-date content from our experts and stay informed on the issues shaping the IP landscape.

Series trade marks and rising official fees: why businesses should act now

Series trade marks and rising official fees: why businesses should act now

Strong branding is what makes your products or services stand out: distinctive names, logos, and designs are key to building recognition and trust. Protecting that identity through trade marks is essential. But big changes are coming at the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) that every business should know about.

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Trade Marks
Brand Clearance
Brand Strategy
If you're not thinking about intellectual property, you're not thinking about impact

If you're not thinking about intellectual property, you're not thinking about impact

Most of us start in research with big dreams—curing cancer, tackling climate change, creating something that matters. In engineering biology, those dreams feel closer than ever. But publishing your work doesn’t guarantee impact.

Synthetic Biology
IP Strategy
UPC Court of Appeal lowers threshold in establishing imminent patent infringement for generic launch

UPC Court of Appeal lowers threshold in establishing imminent patent infringement for generic launch

The UPC Court of Appeal has overturned a decision of the Lisbon Local Division and granted Boehringer Ingelheim (“Boehringer”) a provisional injunction for imminent patent infringement. In doing so, it has confirmed that completion of national pricing and reimbursement procedures for generic drugs may be sufficient to trigger injunctive relief.

Life Sciences
UPC Litigation
Patents
Freedom to Operate

Chambers and Partners 2026

We’re proud to announce that Potter Clarkson has once again been recognised in the Chambers UK Guide 2026.‍‍

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Orange juice appeal pulped and FIFA broadcast rights affirmed

Two recent English Court of Appeal decisions show how legally binding agreements may arise in commercial situations despite the apparent absence of the usual contractual requirements.

FMCG
Creative Industries
Licensing & Commercial Agreements
Litigation

A new lead candidate brings vaccine for Chagas disease closer to reality

When you hear “kissing bug,” you might picture something harmless or even endearing. But this insect delivers anything but affection; it transmits Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chagas disease, a potentially deadly illness affecting millions worldwide.

Biotech
Life Sciences
Patents
IP Strategy

UK comparable trade marks: grace period ends soon

As 2025 draws to a close, brand owners face an important deadline that could affect their UK trade mark rights. From 1 January 2026, it is no longer possible to rely on evidence of use in the EU to maintain the validity of UK comparable trade marks (often called “Brexit clones”). This marks the end of the grace period for use, originally set out in the UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement.

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Trade Marks
The Legal 500 2026

The Legal 500 2026

Potter Clarkson has once again been highly recognised in the 2026 Legal 500 rankings, a leading guide for clients seeking top law firms, attorneys, and solicitors.

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UPC grants first UK injunction

UPC grants first UK injunction

Following its previous widely-reported ruling earlier this year, the Mannheim Local Division has now issued its decision in respect of the UK aspect of the infringement proceedings brought by FujiFilm, marking the first time that the UPC has granted an injunction which applies to the UK.

Creative Industries
Electronics & Computing
Patents
UPC Litigation
Can space agriculture tackle the food crisis and how is IP enforced in space?

Can space agriculture tackle the food crisis and how is IP enforced in space?

Space agriculture (or as you may know it, space-based AgTech, astroagriculture, exo-agriculture, off-earth farming or extraterrestrial food systems) refers to agricultural technologies and systems developed or tested in space.

Biotech
Food & Agritech
Spacetech
Synthetic Biology
Freedom to Operate
IP Strategy
Licensing & Commercial Agreements
Patents
Potter Clarkson launches landmark patent landscape analysis of the SynBio revolution

Potter Clarkson launches landmark patent landscape analysis of the SynBio revolution

From engineered microbes cleaning up environmental waste to CRISPR-edited cells powering next-generation therapies, synthetic biology is shaping industries, economies, and everyday life.

Biotech
Synthetic Biology
IP Strategy
Patents

The SPC Manufacturing Waiver in Practice: Legal Framework and Emerging Jurisprudence

The SPC manufacturing waiver, introduced in 2019 under Regulation (EU) No 2019/933, marked a pivotal development in EU pharmaceutical law.

Life Sciences
SPCs & Regulatory
Patents
Can CRISPR and RNAi help us develop new and more sustainable fruits and vegetables?

Can CRISPR and RNAi help us develop new and more sustainable fruits and vegetables?

Gene editing technologies like CRISPR and RNA interference (RNAi) are revolutionising agriculture.

Biotech
Food & Agritech
Synthetic Biology
Patents
Referral on EPO description amendments confirmed (G1/25 - “Hydroponics")

Referral on EPO description amendments confirmed (G1/25 - “Hydroponics")

A Board of Appeal at the EPO has referred questions to the Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBA) in connection with inconsistencies between the claims and description of a European patent vs. those of a European patent application (pre-grant vs. post-grant).

Life Sciences
EPO Oppositions
Patents
UK approach to plausibility remains unchanged despite EPO’s G2/21

UK approach to plausibility remains unchanged despite EPO’s G2/21

In the recent decision Generics v AstraZeneca, the UK Court of Appeal confirmed that the UK’s approach to ‘plausibility’ remains unchanged despite the EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal decision G2/21.

Life Sciences
EPO Oppositions
Patents
Proposed reforms to regulatory exclusivities from the European Parliament and Council

Proposed reforms to regulatory exclusivities from the European Parliament and Council

In April 2023, the European Commission adopted a comprehensive package of proposed reforms to the legislation governing the authorisation of medicines in the EU.

Life Sciences
Patents
SPCs & Regulatory