creativity and innovation
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World Creativity & Innovation Day
2022: A look into the innovations
paving the way for the future

The UN has designated April 21 as “World Creativity and Innovation Day”. It has been established as a day of observance to encourage the use of creativity and innovation as a primary tool in problem solving regarding “all aspects of human development”.

The main goal of this of this day is to encourage both individuals and countries alike to utilise a holistic and creative-centric approach in their efforts to tackle sustainability and human development issues. The UN explained that creativity is important as it “can provide solutions to some of the most pressing problems such as poverty eradication and the elimination of hunger.”

Take a look at the following innovations which are paving the way for the future, with creativity at the forefront of their solutions:

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patenting in the metaverse
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Patenting innovations in the metaverse

Patenting innovations in the metaverse

Facebook’s rebranding to ‘Meta’ last year brought renewed attention to the metaverse, driving innovation in both hardware and software technology spaces. The introduction of Meta may be relatively recent but the development and patenting of metaverse technologies has been ongoing for decades. More…

infographic depicting a healthcare system
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Smart homes & telemedicine:
the future of healthcare?

Smart homes & telemedicine: the future of healthcare?

The rapid growth of the aged population has caused an immense increase in the need for personal care, particularly for people with chronic conditions such as dementia or diabetes. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Innovation Index 2019, the number of people living with diabetes has risen from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014 and is rising even more rapidly now in low to middle income countries. More…

blockchain
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The blockchain boom: A cause for
celebration or concern?

The blockchain boom: A cause for celebration or concern?

Since its conception in 2008, blockchain technology has developed consistently over the years. This is especially true in recent years with a record 9,973 global patents related to blockchain filed in the past year, up from 3,810 two years earlier according to new research carried out by law firm Mathys & Squire*. This fast development has raised growing concerns over the sustainability of blockchain technology due to the amount of energy needed to operate the servers, as well as the significant amount of electronic waste (e-waste) generated. The rush to secure new commercial applications of blockchain has pushed R&D in this space, with a particular focus on new uses for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and attempts to make the technology less carbon intensive. So, what are the environmental concerns that surround blockchain and what can be done to address these? Are there other possible applications for blockchain technology that could help eliminate ethical and sustainability issues in other industries? More…

weather forecast, world meteorological day
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World Meteorological Day: Interesting inventions that help us predict the weather

World Meteorological Day: Interesting inventions that help us predict the weather

Every year we celebrate the World Meteorological Day to commemorate the creation of the World Meteorological Organization. Since the first ever weather forecast by Robert FitzRoy in the 19th century, scientists have developed tools and technologies to help better predict the weather. With extreme weather events becoming more and more common due to climate change, it is now more important than ever to be able to predict and be better prepared for these conditions. More…

woolly mammoth
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Can you patent a Woolly Mammoth? An unclear ethical line in
de-extinction science

In a recent article in the popular science and technology publication Wired, writer Matt Reynolds explores the practical implications of why “You’re (Maybe) Gonna Need a Patent for That Woolly Mammoth”.

The idea that scientists are modifying DNA and racing to bring extinct species back from the dead may conjure up thoughts of worst-case scenarios as depicted in Jurassic Park films. If, like in the films, genetic engineering (cutting and pasting genes in DNA from two organisms to create new genetic material) is successful in resurrecting the woolly mammoth, does the inventiveness of combining two naturally pre-existing genes qualify the new species for patent protection? Or is the new organism protected by nature? More…

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Harnessing the value in patent
citations

With the increasing need for fully global citation analysis for international organisations, the volume and complexity of patent citations makes it a difficult area to efficiently navigate. However, with the right tools it is also an exceptionally valuable one. PatBase and Analytics V3 support innovators and legal professionals across all industries gain competitive and business intelligence by performing accurate patent citations analysis. More…

London skyline - MLM 2 and warburg pincus
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Minesoft acquired by MLM 2 and
Warburg Pincus

Minesoft acquired by MLM2 and Warburg Pincus

The Minesoft team are excited to announce the acquisition of Minesoft by MLM 2 and Warburg Pincus, marking the first acquisition for MLM 2 in building a market-leading IP solutions platform, focused on unlocking the power of intellectual property. More…

valentine's day hearts
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Ordinary and Extraordinary
Valentine’s Day patents

Valentine’s Day, the day known for romantic couples to shower their other half with gifts and tokens of appreciation. Chocolates, flowers and jewellery are some of the most popular gifts to give and receive and, like any invention, many of these gifts are protected by patents. Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or avoid it like the plague, here are some of the ordinary and extraordinary Valentine’s Day patents. More…