News

AIPPI World Congress 15 - 18 September 2019, Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London

This is a key event in the Intellectual Property calendar which allows experts from around the world to come together once a year and discuss issues relating to the industry. If you would like to arrange a meeting with Jason please email docketing@secerna.co.uk.

Mathematical Methods – Revision to EPO Guidelines

Charlotte Watkins - A day in the life of a Patent Attorney

An intriguing glimpse into the world of a remarkable patent attorney. Follow along as we journey through Charlotte's typical day, witnessing her dedication to cutting-edge technologies, unwavering commitment to her clients, and the art of maintaining a perfect work-life balance.

Future of Energy Systems Masterclass

Spring Update on the Patenting of Plants

The patentability of plants has been a long running legal and political saga at the EPO. Following an intervention this month by the president of the EPO, it appears uncertainty in this area is set to continue for the foreseeable future.

Huw Jenkins: Shaping something new

Patent attorney Huw Jenkins has a degree in cell and molecular biology and a DPhil in developmental genetics from Oxford University. Huw started training in 2011 as a patent attorney in London and joined Secerna in 2018. He tells us why he made the move from a career in academia to patent law and what, in his view, makes the role so worthwhile.

Genentech loses patent life for wet AMD blockbuster

On 31 March 2020, The Court of Appeal of England and Wales published its unanimous judgement on Genentech, Inc (and Master Data Center, Inc) v The Comptroller General of Patents - [2020] EWCA Civ 475 in which it confirmed a High Court ruling deciding that Genentech could not correct a mistake made by one of its agents that would lead to the early expiry of a valuable Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC).

Future of Energy Systems Masterclass - Wednesday 27 March 2019, ORE Catapult, Blyth

Senior associate Sam Bloor will be speaking at the Future of Energy Systems Masterclass at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult in Blyth on 27 March.

Double Trouble at the EPO

A recent referral in T0318/14 (Nestec S.A.) to the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) seeks to clarify the extent to which the EPO can refuse to grant a patent application claiming subject-matter which is the same as subject-matter claimed in a European patent that has already been granted and which has the same effective filing date (a situation often referred to as ‘double patenting’).