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IP Ingredients Blog, Parts 1-10

March 2024

Welcome to our new blog series, IP Ingredients, created by our Food & Drink Team. This blog will explore the latest IP news, updates, and discussions in the food & drink sector.

Understanding how intellectual property is relevant to your food or drink company, and how to leverage different IP rights for business success can be tricky.

To help you untangle some of these issues, HGF attorneys Jennifer Bailey and Tanya Waller, together with other members of HGF’s Food & Drink team, are launching a new series of articles, “IP Ingredients”, which provides an introduction to IP in the food and drink field as well as giving lots of practical advice.

Part 1: Can you patent a recipe?

In the first edition of the series, “Can you patent a recipe?”, we consider what an invention is, and how to spot potential inventions in your research that could lead to valuable IP.

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Part 2: Sippin’ Success with Trade Marks

In the second edition of this series, “Sippin’ Success with trade Marks” , we discuss how trade marks play a vital role in safeguarding a brand’s identity.

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Part 3: An Appetite for Designs

In the third edition of this series, “An Appetite for Designs” , we discuss Registered Designs.

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Part 4: Why should I care about copyright?

In the fourth edition of this series, “Why should I care about copyright?” ,  we discuss how copyright may not be a core IP asset of your business, it’s still worth having an understanding of where rights may subsist.

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Part 5: New Year’s Resolutions

In the fifth edition of this series, “New Year’s Resolution’s” ,  this edition is about businesses reflect on their strategies, including whether their IP portfolio is in good shape.

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Part 6: Geographical Indications: “What’s in a [place] name?”

In the sixth edition of this series, “Geographical Indications: “What’s in a [place] name?” , we discuss Geographical indications.

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Part 7: Data in food and beverage patent applications – Why, What, & How much?

In the seventh edition of this series, “Data in food and beverage patent applications – Why, What, & How much?” , we discuss why, what and how do you get data for your food or beverage patent application.

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Part 9: Protecting a food or drink manufacturing process

In the ninth edition of this series, “Protecting a food or drink manufacturing process” , we discuss how you can patent a process.

Part 10: Coffee Corner with SeaGrown – Harvesting success in seaweed farming

In the tenth edition of this series, “Coffee Corner with SeaGrown – Harvesting success in seaweed farming” , we discuss how Wave and Laura set up their business ‘SeaGrown’

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Latest updates

HGF Ranked #1 in the UK for Trade Mark Portfolios in the 2025 Trade Mark Filing Trends Report by Clarivate.

HGF has achieved the #1 ranking for the UK for trade mark portfolios in the newly released 2025 Trade mark Filing Trends report by Clarivate, recognising the firm as a …

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The EPO Board of Appeal comments on the scope of the morality exclusion from patentability

The recent decision, T1553/22 of the Board of Appeal required the Board to consider the scope of the exclusions from patentability under Article 53(a) EPC. The invention in this case …

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Managing Intellectual Property practitioner rankings – IP Stars 2025

We are pleased to share that HGF has once again been prominently featured in the Managing IP STARS 2025 rankings, a leading benchmark for excellence in the global IP profession. …

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Managing IP firm rankings – Trade Marks 2025

HGF has once again been highly recognised in the Managing Intellectual Property firm rankings for trade marks, with Tier 1 rankings and high recommendations in several key jurisdictions. Each year, …

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HGF receives exceptional results in IAM Patent 1000 rankings 2025

We are proud to announce that HGF has once again achieved outstanding recognition in the IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals 2025. With 29 of our attorneys …

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Innovation in the Energy Industry - Do You Have Freedom to Operate?

The energy transition has brought unprecedented change to the energy sector. Whilst change can bring uncertainty and challenges, it also brings opportunities. Many companies have already seized on the opportunity …

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Babek International Limited v Iceland Foods Limited [2025] EWHC 547 (IPEC)

In a significant ruling on 11 March 2025, IPEC upheld the validity of Babek International Limited’s UK trade mark for ‘BABEK’ in its case against Iceland Foods Limited. The judgment …

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