News & Events

Celebrating Success – Director Promotions

We are proud to announce that 7 of our team have been promoted to director effective from 1 December 2024! These promotions recognise the outstanding contributions demonstrated by these individuals, who …

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The Board of Appeal refers questions to the Enlarged Board of Appeal regarding case T1286/23

In T1286/23 (https://www.epo.org/en/boards-of-appeal/decisions/t231286ex1), the Board of Appeal has referred the following questions to the Enlarged Board of Appeal: After the withdrawal of all appeals, may the proceedings be continued with …

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UPC first FRAND judgment results in injunction against OPPO

Panasonic Holdings Corporation v Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp. Ltd & anor UPC_CFI_210/2023 – Mannheim Local Division (Tochtermann, Böttcher, Brinkman & Loibner) – 22 November 2024. The UPC issued its …

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The IP Lawyer’s Cheat Sheet: Lucy Johnson on Innovation, Legislation, and Strategy

The world of intellectual property is on the brink of significant transformation. From navigating the use of AI technology to staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated bad actors, IP professionals must …

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Edwards v Meril confirms UPC’s jurisdiction over acts of infringement before the court came into force

In Edwards v Meril (UPC_CGI_15/2023), the UPC’s Munich local division refused to stay infringement proceedings pending an appeal on the central division’s finding of validity of the patent in amended …

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Njoy v Juul finds the patent’s underlying problem despite no mention of the problem in the specification

In Njoy v Juul (UPC CFI 315 /2023), the Paris Division of the Central Division provides further insight into the UPC’s approach to inventive step. Of critical importance in assessing …

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Success of the Gilette Defence fizzles out in SodaStream v Aarke

In SodaStream v Aarke (UPC_CFI_373/2023), the UPC’s Dusseldorf local division has given us further insight into the UPC’s approach to claim interpretation. The court held that, if the patent distinguishes …

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IP Ingredients: How the trademark landscape is adapting to the NoLo trend

Beverage producer and brand owner? This article may be for you, as changes in how EU trademark authorities compare alcoholic and non-alcoholic products make it easier for brand owners to …

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HGF ranked as a top tier firm in Legal 500 UK 2025

HGF has been recommended as a top-tier firm in UK PATMA Trade Mark Attorneys – Tier 1. We also continue to be highly ranked in Tier 2 in the regions …

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