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.
Fashion: the IP edit
The primary competitive advantage for many businesses, including those in the fashion industry, is innovation. So where does intellectual property (IP) fit in? In this article we explore the various forms of IP relevant to the fashion industry and why this is important for brands.
Fashionable patterns and IP
Some luxury fashion houses have their own signature patterns: The Burberry check, Louis Vuitton Damier Azur and Prada Symbole being the most famous examples. These are notably printed across luggage and accessories with the print as the main feature. On clothing, the pattern is usually applied more subtly, such as on the lining of a jacket, across the collar, or as even more discreet features, such as on the hem.
How do you market the sweet taste of rum?
A decision on 7 March 2024 from Miljø - og Fødevareklagenævnet in Denmark has finally given us some long-desired guidance to the producers of sweet rum on how to market and label their products.
Confidentiality as currency: Protecting and leveraging trade secrets in biotech
Anybody who has worked in a lab will know that getting a protocol to work isn’t as simple as just following the instructions printed in a journal. Even routine optimisation takes a lot of time, once you know the secret it’s easy to replicate, and protecting this knowledge can be very valuable to biotech companies.
Potter Clarkson expands in Sweden with Gothenburg office
Potter Clarkson is expanding its presence in Sweden with a new office at GoCo Health Innovation City in Gothenburg.
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The gloves are on, and they’re getting safer! Some recent innovations in fighting glove technology
I’m a big fan of safety, but even I have to admit that there is something uniquely thrilling about sports dedicated to beating the snot out of one another. This provides quite an interesting and important question: how can you make something so inherently unsafe, safe? In this article, I will discuss some recent innovations in fighting glove technology.
Will the UK’s Science and Technology Framework boost UK innovation?
In a press release earlier this month, the UK government unveiled several new announcements to drive innovation in science. This comes alongside a rallying call “to put science and technology at the very top of the UK’s priorities”.
Embracing sustainable fashion through upcycling and navigating the legal landscape
In this four-part Sustainability Series, we explore what the EU and fashion brands are doing to address sustainability, including through strategies and utilising innovative fabrics and manufacturing processes.
Healthwashing: The Danish Food and Drug Administration investigates health claims on nutritional supplements
In the most recent public crackdown on ‘healthwashing’ The Danish Food and Drug Administration has announced they are about to actively investigate certain companies’ claims that their nutritional supplements can cure diseases, relieve pain, or deliver any other health benefit.
Potter Clarkson nominated for 11 Managing IP Awards 2024
Delighted to share Potter Clarkson's multiple nominations at the Managing IP Awards 2024!
Sustainable fashion tech and innovative processes
With the industry responsible for producing 92 million tonnes of textile waste every year and contributing to nearly 10% of global carbon emissions1, it is no surprise that the EU has introduced proposals requiring fashion brands to take responsibility for the production process.
EU proposal to regulate gene-edited plants raises concerns for biotech and plant breeders alike
The EU Parliament has voted on new legislature that could significantly shake up the patentability and commercialisation of gene-edited plants in Europe. The unintended consequences of these proposals could be disastrous for biotechnology companies and plant breeders across Europe and beyond.
WTR 1000: The World's Leading Trademark Professionals 2024
Potter Clarkson is proud to announce its inclusion in the 2024 edition of the World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000, a premier guide for top-tier trade mark legal expertise worldwide.
Futuristic fashion: IP and wearable fashion tech
Wearable fashion tech is experiencing fast-paced growth, albeit in and of itself it is no new concept. From health-enhancing yarn-thread technology providing health metrics when worn, to spray-on garments and 3D-printed clothing, it is crucial for fashion brands to protect their wearable innovations. So where does IP come into play?
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Universal Music Group removes their artists from TikTok
Early on the morning of Thursday 1 February TikTok started to remove the back catalogues of Universal Music Group (UMG) artists from the platform.
Fashion, sustainability and innovation: fashion brands paving the way for a greener future
Sustainability has long been critical in the fashion industry, with the ‘fast fashion’ epidemic and issues of greenwashing diluting endeavours to approve fashion’s impact on the world. The EU has also introduced sustainable textiles initiatives. So, what are fashion brands doing to pave the way for a more sustainable future?