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Copyright vs Patent vs Trademark: What’s the difference?

Copyright vs Patent vs Trademark: What’s the difference?

In the dynamic landscape of innovation and creativity, safeguarding intellectual property (IP) is crucial for individuals and businesses alike. The trio of copyright, patent, and trademark serve as pillars of protection, each with its own distinct purpose. To effectively navigate this intricate terrain, understanding the key differences and nuances among these forms of IP is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the intricacies of patents, copyright, and trademarks, exploring their unique characteristics and shedding light on why registering your IP is a strategic move – whether you’re an artist seeking to safeguard your masterpiece, an inventor with novel ideas, or a business looking to fortify its brand presence.

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What are gene patents and are they ethical?

What are gene patents and are they ethical?

The intersection of genetics, Intellectual Property (IP), and ethics forms a complex landscape where the concept of gene patents takes centre stage. Gene patents, a unique form of intellectual property protection, grant exclusive rights to individuals, organisations, or corporations over specific DNA sequences. Lasting for 20 years from the patent date, these rights often result in sole ownership of crucial genetic information. While this framework aims to stimulate innovation in genomics, it also raises profound ethical and accessibility questions within healthcare and scientific research.

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pharmaceutical
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The Role of Patents in the Pharmaceutical Sector

The Role of Patents in the Pharmaceutical Sector 

The pharmaceutical sector is a critical part of the healthcare industry, responsible for developing life-saving drugs and innovative treatments. In this highly competitive and research-driven field, patents play a pivotal role. They are not just legal documents but also essential tools that influence various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. In this blog post, we will explore the multifaceted role of patents in the pharmaceutical sector.  More…

IP Licensing
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The Ultimate Guide to IP Licensing

The Ultimate Guide to IP Licensing 

In today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape, intellectual property (IP) plays a crucial role in driving innovation and fostering growth. For creators and businesses looking to capitalise on their inventions, brands, and creative works, IP licensing offers a strategic pathway to expand their market reach and generate revenue. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of IP licensing, exploring its various types, conditions, advantages, and potential pitfalls, while also providing insights into crafting successful licensing agreements and IP strategies. 

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Intellectual property law in UK
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A Guide to Intellectual Property Law in the UK

A Guide to Intellectual Property Law in the UK

Intellectual Property Law in the UK covers various forms of protection including trademarks, patents, designs, copyright and trade secrets. They enable businesses and innovators to protect their rights but can be difficult to understand and navigate for non-experts. In this guide we explain the different types of intellectual property necessary to protect your ideas. More…

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New PatBase enhancements

New PatBase Enhancements  

 

The Minesoft development team has been working hard on new PatBase enhancements to provide users with useful features to help with their patent searching needs. These include a new Patent Valuation System and Insights tab to help understand the potential value of a patent, recently added EP Designs documents which can be easily searched for using a kind code, and a new Unified Patent Court legal event code.  More…

3D printing patents
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3D Printing and Patents: A Guide

3D Printing and Patents: A Guide

3D printing technology has revolutionized the way we manufacture products, from everyday household items to complex machinery parts. It has created a new industry and has the potential to change the way we live and work. However, as with any new technology, the question of intellectual property rights arises, particularly in terms of patents. In this blog post, we’ll explore the interplay between 3D printing and patents and what it means for businesses and individuals. More…

open patent strategy closed patent strategy
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Starting with a search – Open vs Closed Innovation in the Post-COVID era

Starting with a search – Open vs Closed Innovation in the Post-COVID era (Part 2)

Traditionally, companies have used a closed patent strategy designed to protect and prolong the lifecycle of existing technologies from competitors. Patents remain a popular way of safeguarding original work, with almost 188,600 applications received by the EPO in 2021 – a 4.5% increase, showing a significant recovery from the small decline recorded in 2020 due to the pandemic.

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commercialising IP
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Starting with a search – commercialising your IP in the post-COVID era

Starting with a search – commercialising your IP in the post-COVID era (Part 1)

Intellectual Property (IP) is commonly seen as one of the most important economic assets of any corporate entity or research organisation. It is a form of property, which, like land can be sold, rented, or mortgaged. Therefore, it has the potential to generate revenue for a business – even indirectly – and like land, its value depends on its quality. The four main types of IP are patents, trademarks, designs, and copyright. This article focuses on patents, and their commercialisation since these are of the most economic value to innovative companies.

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