< Back to latest news & events

News

Coronavirus update – HGF offices

July 2020

The situation across the world is changing rapidly and as a result we have put in place measures to ensure that we are able to continue to provide the high-quality services to our clients whilst also protecting our staff, other stakeholders and suppliers.

This page provides information on any HGF office closures that may happen as a result of Coronavirus safety measures in Europe and the UK.

Updated 2nd July 2020

Aberdeen – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

Amsterdam – Fully operational – Office open with majority of staff working remotely

Basel – Fully operational – Office open with majority of staff working remotely

Bern – Fully operational – Office open with majority of staff working remotely

Birmingham – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

Dublin – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

Edinburgh – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

Glasgow – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

Heidelberg – Fully operational – Office open with majority of staff working remotely

Leeds – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

London – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

Manchester – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

Munich – Neumarkter Str – Fully operational – Office open with majority of staff working remotely

Munich – Uhlandstr. – Fully operational – Office open with majority of staff working remotely

Newcastle – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

Nottingham – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

Oxford – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

Salzburg – Fully operational – Office open with majority of staff working remotely

Sheffield – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

The Hague – Fully operational – Office open with majority of staff working remotely

Westport – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

York – Fully operational – Office closed with all staff working remotely

If you need any urgent assistance, please call us on +44(0) 113 233 0100.

Latest updates

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 …

Read article

T 1847/22: Procedural considerations in appeal: Re-ordering of requests and the impact on admissibility

Background This case concerned EP 3 085 344 B1, which relates to a wound pad, a self-adhesive member comprising a wound pad. The patent was opposed by two opponents. During …

Read article

Regulation of NGT plants in Europe- Polish Presidency proposes an alternative solution to the Patent ban

In the latest development on the new proposed legislation for the regulation of NGT (gene-edited) plants in the EU, the Polish Presidency have proposed an amendment which removes the proposed …

Read article

T 0295/22: EPO Technical Board of Appeal relies on “bonus effect” case law to find Amgen’s patent to orally administered apremilast lacking in inventive step

This case concerned Amgen’s European patent no. 2962690 for apremilast, a drug sold under the brand name Otezla®, licensed for the treatment of e.g., psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.  The patent …

Read article
Event - 18th March 2025

Salzburg Seminar: Pitfalls in trade mark practice - What can be protected as a trade mark?

The registration of trade marks is a central component of trade mark protection – but which signs can actually be protected? In recent years, the national trade mark offices and …

Event details

Can the Chancellor’s so-called “Europe’s Silicon Valley” really replicate the innovative activity of its namesake?

The Chancellor of the UK, Rachel Reeves, recently unveiled plans to deliver an Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor that promises to boost the UK economy by up to £78 billion by 2035.  …

Read article

UPC’s CFI (Milan) extends deadline to file defence to infringement claim to align with parallel EPO appeal proceedings

Dainese S.p.A. v. Alpinestars S.p.A. & ors. UPC_CFI_472/2024 – Milan Local Division (Perrotti, Zana, Klein, Ashley) – 15 January 2025 The Milan Local Division granted a defendant’s request for an …

Read article