News

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.

What are the critical success factors procurement managers should prioritise when selecting an IP firm from tender responses?

When evaluating tender responses from IP law firms, procurement managers should prioritise the direct responses to their critical success factors (CSFs). This will ensure the selected firm is capable of delivering value and minimising risk.

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).

Helping a green hydrogen technology company scale through strategic IP

GeoPura is a trailblazer within sustainable innovation. They provide a zero-emission solution for generating, storing, and distributing the energy needed to drive the global transition to clean power by giving customers the power to decarbonize their consumption of temporary, backup, off-grid, and grid augmentation energy.

We worked with this pioneering clean energy business to put in place the patent and trade mark protection needed to support the development and commercialisation of its hydrogen power technology and HPU™ brand. This strategy helped secure investment and accelerate growth.

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.

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.

New UPC CMS launched

The revamped UPC Case Management System (‘CMS’) is now live. The objective of the new CMS is to simplify access for users. This will be a welcome update for IP practitioners who have in the past experienced various issues when using the old CMS.

UK SPC law changes from 1 January 2025: what you need to know

The implementation of the Windsor Framework on 1 January 2025 marked a significant turning point in the UK’s regulatory landscape for human medicines.

G 1/23: Enlarged Board of Appeal redefines prior art in Europe

The Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office has issued a landmark decision (G1/23) significantly altering the interpretation of what constitutes prior art.

The Cali Fund and DSI: What life sciences and biotech companies need to know now

At a recent webinar hosted by the BioIndustry Association (BIA), speakers from DEFRA and Covington outlined the current state of play. Here are the key takeaways for companies working with DSI, and some early steps they can take.

Temporal scope of jurisdiction clarified by UPC Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal (CoA) confirms the UPC’s jurisdiction over infringements committed before 1 June 2023 and during an opt-out period where the European patent is subsequently opted back into the jurisdiction of the UPC.

€90 million in counterfeit food and drink seized: a wake-up call for IP and public health in the EU

A new report from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), released in June 2025, has laid bare the growing scale and sophistication of food and drink counterfeiting across Europe.

Potter Clarkson supports launch of groundbreaking Carbon-Loop Biomanufacturing Hub

Potter Clarkson is proud to support the launch of the £14 million Carbon-Loop Sustainable Biomanufacturing Hub (C-Loop), a major new UK initiative designed to transform industrial waste into valuable, sustainable products using engineered biology.

G 1/24: EPO’s decision on claim interpretation

In G 1/24, the EPO’s Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBA) has confirmed that the description and drawings must always be consulted when interpreting the claims to assess the patentability of an invention, not only where ambiguity arises. This brings EPO practice more closely in line with national courts and the Unitary Patent Court (UPC).

Royal Unibrew case highlights growing legal pressure on sustainability claims

As global regulatory scrutiny around sustainability claims intensifies, greenwashing remains a pressing legal and reputational risk for companies, not to mention a growing focus for law firms.

Financial Times Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2025

Potter Clarkson has been recognised in the Financial Times’ 2025 ranking of Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms, based on recommendations from more than 3,300 clients and peers.