< Back to latest news & events

Event

HGF Partners with 3AF for the P2I2025 Symposium

November 2025

HGF are pleased to be a partner of P2I2025, the annual symposium organised by the Intellectual Property Commission of the French Aeronautics and Astronautics Association (3AF). The event brings together specialists from across the aerospace, defence and IP communities to explore the strategic value of intellectual property in a rapidly evolving geopolitical and technological landscape.

As part of this year’s programme, Laurent Barbe, Partner at HGF will deliver a session on “IP as an Instrument of National and Technological Sovereignty” which will examine the growing link between sovereignty and intellectual property, and how patents are increasingly used as tools to secure, control and leverage critical technologies. Drawing on sector-specific data and trends, the session will highlight:

  • How national IP systems underpin State sovereignty.
  • The role of patents in strengthening technological independence.
  • Raising defence budgets across Europe and their impact on innovation.
  • Patent trends in defence-related technology fields.
  • The strategic importance of France’s Defence Industrial and Technological Base (BITD).
  • Opportunities and risks associated with secrecy, foreign acquisitions, and cross-border portfolio control.

Laurent will be joined at the event by Partner Vivien Verbrugge.

The P2I2025 Symposium offers a unique platform for aerospace professionals, SMEs, engineers, researchers and policymakers to share insights, explore emerging challenges, and contribute to shaping the direction of IP strategy in aeronautics, space and defence.

Find out more below.

Latest updates

The concept of ‘overall impression’ in UK and EU Registered Design Law

 

Read article

The Antibody Series #2 | Definition via binding strength in antibody claims: when “binds strongly... but only minimally...” becomes a trap of lack of clarity

Introduction Defining an antibody by its binding strength is common practice in patent claims, but it can quickly become a pitfall under Article 84 EPC on clarity. In this second …

Read article

The Antibody Series #1 | Quality Characteristics (CQAs) in Antibody Claims: When the Test Method Can Remain Outside the Claim

Introduction Therapeutic antibodies are at the heart of innovations in biotechnology and healthcare. With increasing regulatory requirements and quality expectations, critical quality attributes (CQAs) are becoming essential in the drafting …

Read article
Event - 7th January 2026

HGF Brand & Design Conference 2026

Join us on 3rd February 2026 for HGF’s Brand & Design Conference, the must attend event for in-house legal teams, brand leaders, creatives, and innovators shaping the future of IP. …

Event details

Empowered, Not Replaced: The Risks and Rewards of Using AI Tools in Patent Prosecution

With the rapid rise of AI and extreme hype around generative AI tools in the workplace, patent firms around the world have had to seriously consider to what extent they …

Read article

EU Agrees on NGT Plant Regulation: What It Means for Patents and Licensing

The European Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement for plants developed using New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) – below we summarise the main points and set out the requirements …

Read article

When Retail Branding Meets Politics

(Inter IKEA Systems v Algemeen Vlaams Belang (Case C‑298/23) In November 2022, the Flemish political party Vlaams Belang presented its “IKEA-PLAN – Immigratie Kan Echt Anders” (“Immigration Really Can Be Different”). …

Read article

Office Closed Dates December 2025 / January 2026

HGF Office Closed Dates December 2025 / January 2026   UK Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December 2025 CLOSED Thursday 1 January 2026* CLOSED * Friday 2 January 2026 – …

Read article