Marks & Clerk

The Hague Local Division of the Unified Patent Court has provided important guidance on serving legal documents in cross-border disputes. In a case involving Amycel LLC and Szymon Spyra, the court ruled that a Defendant’s refusal to accept or open legal documents does not invalidate service provided the Claimant follows the UPC’s procedural rules. This decision highlights the complexities of litigation involving non-contracting member states and the importance of persistence in legal service. Thomas Prock and Ali Raja explore this further here: https://lnkd.in/erqwYPQA #Patent #UnifiedPatentCourt #IP #Litigation 

Last week, our team had a fantastic time at the Scotland's Life Sciences Conference & Awards Life Sciences Awards, where we had the privilege of sponsoring and presenting the Innovation: Pharma Services & Drug Discovery award. As proud supporters of the life sciences sector, we are continually inspired by the groundbreaking advancements and dedication of those driving innovation forward. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners.

As we mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2025, we reflect on the importance of fostering an environment where all individuals can thrive. Marks & Clerk has long been committed to protecting the ideas of brilliant minds, including those who think differently. Our co-founder, George Croydon Marks, famously worked alongside Thomas Edison - an inventor now widely recognised for exhibiting traits associated with autism. From technical innovation to creative problem-solving, neurodiverse talent plays a vital role across every aspect of our profession. In the final article of our series, Esther Ford explores the practical steps organisations can take to create a culture that enables equal participation. https://lnkd.in/eRhjt3G8 #Innovation #DiversityAndInclusion #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #ThisisND

The rise of fragrance dupes continues to make waves in the beauty industry, sparking conversations about innovation, accessibility, and intellectual property (IP) rights. This week, Julie Canet spoke to the Financial Times to share her insights on the challenges luxury brands face as "inspired-by" scents grow in popularity. Unlike trade marks or patents, fragrance compositions are not easily protected under traditional IP laws, making it increasingly important for brands to seek expert guidance to navigate this complex legal landscape successfully. https://lnkd.in/ePA6dxRm #intellectualproperty #dupes #perfume #beauty

This time next week, Kirsten Gilbert, Inès Garlantezec and Julie Canet will be attending the PTMG (Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group) Spring Conference in Edinburgh (24-25 March 2025). Please get in touch with Kirsten, Inès or Julie if you’d like to meet up with them at the event. #PTMG #pharma #trademarks #IP #intellectualproperty

The UPC Court of Appeal provided key clarification on the doctrine of lis pendens in patent disputes. In the Nokia v. Mala Technologies case, the Court overturned the lower court’s ruling, confirming that Articles 29–32 of the Brussels I Regulation (recast) apply broadly, even where national court proceedings predate the UPC’s transitional period. The Court ordered a stay of UPC proceedings until Germany’s Bundesgerichtshof reached a final decision, while also reaffirming the UPC’s jurisdiction despite differences in the parties involved. This ruling has significant implications for the interaction between national courts and the UPC in patent litigation. Find out more in our latest UPC update from Thomas Prock and Ali Raja here:  https://lnkd.in/eCBDeysp #UPC #Patent #IP #Litigation

The next article in the #Cambridge Green Growth series focuses on the #Cambridge start-up company Uncommon, Georgia Rundle explores how the #Cambridge based business are looking to revolutionise pork production by creating it in the lab. Pork is the most widely consumed meat globally, but industrial pig farming is recognised as a major contributor to water scarcity and greenhouse gas emissions. Lab-grown or cultivated meat has emerged as a green solution to these issues. Could this be the future of food? To read more about Uncommon and the future of meat production, click here 👉 https://lnkd.in/et66CrQV Keep checking back as we release regular insights about #innovation and #IP in Cambridge Green Growth! #foodinnovation #sustainablefood #IP

Next week, two of our Canadian Partners Kevin Shipley and Paul Horbal will be at University of Toronto Faculty of Law, for their upcoming career day.     Kevin and Paul are both University of Toronto alumni, and they are looking forward to returning to campus to connect with law students and to share more about working at the forefront of Intellectual Property and what being an IP Lawyer entails. If you would like to find out more about our student opportunities, you can visit our website here: https://lnkd.in/gNdGE7pq    #IntellectualProperty #IPLaw #IPCareers 

We are delighted to have been asked to join Space South Central on their stand at the inaugural Farnborough International Space Show (19-20 March 2025). Members of our #spacetech team, Thomas Storey and George Christian will be there on Thursday 20 March so please reach out to them if you’d like to meet up or drop by to see them on the stand. https://lnkd.in/edQ_u5kt #intellectualproperty #space

Tim Hargreaves, Richard Gibbs, Mairi Rudkin, Donald McNab, and Pamela Bryer are delighted to attend Scotland's Life Sciences Conference & Awards tonight in Glasgow! As sponsors of the Innovation: Pharma Services & Drug Discovery award, we are proud to support and celebrate the incredible advancements and contributions in the life sciences sector.