Navigating Bad-Faith Trade Mark Issues in China

In China, bad-faith applicants exploit both domestic and international brands, either demanding payment to transfer trademarks—a practice known as “trademark squatting”—or leveraging the reputation of established companies for their own gain. The British Embassy in Beijing identifies bad-faith trademark applications as the most frequently reported business concern, impacting hundreds of trademarks annually across various industries. While China has implemented measures since 2019 to curb such practices, the problem persists at a significant scale.

A factsheet with more information and top-tips can be found here – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/606ffec6e90e076f4d5bfcb0/Bad-faith_Trade_Marks_-_IP_in_China_Factsheet.pdf

IPO issue warning over misleading payment requests

The IPO have issued a warning and advice over a recent spate of misleading invoices sent to trademark owners.

Misleading invoices are unsolicited or fraudulent requests for payment, often targeting trademark owners with high-cost services like renewal monitoring or “publication” in international registers. These organizations are not affiliated with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and operate across borders, making enforcement difficult. To protect yourself, do not pay them. If you’re unsure, send a copy to misleadinginvoices@ipo.gov.uk, report them to Action Fraud, or notify your local Trading Standards office. Examples of scam companies include names such as EUIPD, EIPA, and IPTMR, though they often change names.

More information can be found here – Avoiding misleading payment requests – GOV.UK

UKIPO launches new patent search tool

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched One IPO Search, a new tool to make accessing UK patent information easier for businesses and innovators. Replacing the Ipsum service, this platform offers enhanced features like simple keyword searches, visual data analysis, and a user-friendly interface. It’s part of the IPO’s wider transformation programme, aiming to modernise intellectual property services with additional digital tools coming in late 2025.

More information here –  New patent search tool to boost UK innovation – GOV.UK

Passing of Anthony Burrows

We are saddened to hear about the passing of Anthony Burrows.  Anthony and Neil worked as Associates for many years, albeit they were totally separate financial and legal entities, following Anthony’s training Neil back in 2002.

Anthony will be sadly missed by all at Burrows Chambers Associates.

 

Significant landmark for “One IPO Transformation Programme”

The One IPO Transformation Programme has recently reached a significant landmark with the filing of the first patent application on the new fully digital patents service. The IPO believes the new programme will make applying for, managing and monitoring patents far easier for customers.

The new patents service is due to launch to the public in the first half of 2025, followed by a new service for trade marks, designs and IPO tribunals launching in 2026.

More information can be found here – IPO celebrates first filing in new digital service – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

Warning over misleading payment requests

 

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has issued a warning to customers to be vigilant after an increase in misleading payment requests sent by organisations who are not affiliated to the IPO. The emails have taken the form of invoices which request payment for trade marks, designs or patent services.

Once paid for, these services may simply never be provided, or may be of little or no benefit to the customer (for example, inclusion on an ‘exclusive online register’ not recognised by the IPO or any other official body).

These organisations are not connected with the IPO or any other government body.

More information can be found here –

Avoiding misleading payment requests – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

EPO launches new, simplified fee system

EPO launches new, simplified fee system supporting small companies

 

Fees for European patent applications are changing from 1 April 2024. These include reductions for small companies, and some fees have been eradicated.

​​The changes introduce dedicated fee reductions for micro-entities, simplify the fee system, create incentives for further digitalisation, and secure the Organisation’s financial sustainability through moderate increases of procedural and internal renewal fees.

The changes are in place to support small and medium-sized applicants in obtaining patent protection and commercialising their inventions throughout Europe and the world. The EPO has plans to introduce further support aimed at innovative entities requiring further financial assistance to access the European patent system, i.e. micro-enterprises, natural persons, non-profit organisations, universities and public research organisations. These micro-entities will benefit from a 30% reduction in all main fees in the patent grant procedure, provided they have filed fewer than five applications in the last five years.

​​More information here

Burrows Chambers Associates are expanding!

We are delighted to announce the following changes coming very shortly.

  • New IP Management Software – providing improved portfolio and document management, management of deadlines, and invoicing, and other operational efficiencies.

 

  • New support staff – specially trained to manage the implementation of the new system and to provide valuable support services to Attorneys.

 

  • More space – we are expanding our office space at Business Centre West, and investing in new computer systems and other infrastructure to improve efficiency and the working environment.

 

  • New professional staff – we are looking to expand our professional staff offerings in both Patents and Trade Marks to look after new Clients / new enquiries.

These are exciting times for our Firm.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Reminder – Abolition of the “10-day rule”

A reminder to all Clients – The Administrative Council of the EPO has decided to abolish the “10-day rule” from 1 November, 2023.

At present, communications from the EPO are deemed to be delivered to the recipient ten days after the date of mailing – effectively providing an additional ten days to respond to EPO communications. The rule was intended to protect parties from delays in the postal service, however, this rule is deemed no longer necessary now the EPO has gradually replaced physical documents with electronic communications.

From 1 November, communications from the EPO will be deemed delivered on the date stated on the communication, and the helpful 10-day window past the deadline for responding to those communications will be lost.

For more information – click here

First patent revocation actions before the UPC have been filed

The Unitary Patent (UP) and Unified Patent Court (UPC) came into effect from the 1st June 2023, marking a major change in the landscape of European Patents. The (UPC) received its first patent challenge of its existence on the 2nd June.

What is the UPC?

In essence, it is an agreement between (at present) 17 Member States of the European Union to provide a single European Patent covering those 17 Member States and a Patents Court having exclusive jurisdiction over disputes relating to European Patents.  The UK is, of course, not a member of the European Union per se and, so, these changes do not directly affect European Patents (UK); however, your Patenting strategies outside of the UK require further consideration.

 To date, the present Member States of the UP and UPC are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, and Sweden.

According to the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), the Unitary Patent is expected to make gaining patent protection across Europe simpler and less expensive.

More information is available here – The Unified Patent Court www.unified-patent-court.org

 

GET IN TOUCH

Neil Chambers | Chartered & European Patent & Trade Mark Attorney
Business Centre West | Avenue One | Business Park | Letchworth Garden City | Hertfordshire | SG6 2HB
Phone: +44 (0) 1462 481 755 | Fax: +44 (0) 1462 670 823 | Email: nec@burrowschambers.com

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