A pilot patent scheme to help UK businesses export goods to China has been launched. The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) links the UK Intellectual Property Office, an executive agency of the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills, and China’s State Intellectual Property Office. It allows applicants successful in obtaining a patent at one office to request accelerated processing of an application at the other office. Lord Younger, minister for intellectual property, says the PPH will reduce duplication and create a more “efficient and affordable system” for businesses in the UK and China. The pilot ends on 30 June 2016.
02 July 2014
China patents
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown
Withers drives further growth in its UK immigration team with new partner Sophie Barrett-Brown
Venus Legal—Esther Amoako
Venus Legal invests in next generation of legal talent as specialist litigation practice grows
Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith
Fisher Phillips continues momentum in London with arrival of Catrina Smith
NEWS
Restrictions on workplace non-disclosure agreements could make settlements slower, more complex and more expensive when reforms expected in 2027 take effect
Private prosecutors face closer scrutiny under Crown Prosecution Service guidance designed to strengthen accountability and consistency when intervention is requested
Foreign states cannot necessarily claim immunity for cyber operations launched abroad against computers in Britain, following a divided Supreme Court ruling
Defendants who make unsupported complaints about their lawyers risk losing legal aid while confiscation proceedings continue without representation
Lawyers advising Russian clients face different sanctions restrictions across the UK, EU and US, despite their shared objective of increasing pressure on Russia
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