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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 – …
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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 …
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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 …
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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. …
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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 …
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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 …
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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”). …
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Often Copied, Never Equaled: When Do Everyday Items Become Subject of Copyright?
The borderline between ‘pure’ works of art and mere utilitarian objects” – Can iconic, yet everyday products be protected under copyright? The above question was posed by Advocate General in …
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