IP & Technology Blog

IP Ownership and the Valley of DeathPosted on Aug 16, 2012 by Dr. Julie Nixon  | 0 CommentsThere is a clear push on to translate the academic research that goes on in our fine institutions into something commercially viable. IP created is the key to success here, but we have to ask who actually owns the IP coming out of research? The very nature of academic research and different policies among different universities can make this confusing to say the least.On the 2nd of July oral evidence was given as part of the ongoing inquiry by the Commons Science and Technology...

Personalised Medicine And A Myriad Of ProblemsPosted on Aug 09, 2012 by Dr. Julie Nixon  | 0 CommentsUS genetic test maker 23andMe is asking the FDA to approve its personalized DNA test, a saliva sample DNA test kit, a move which could make 23andMe a leader in the field and regulate applications which provide information on genetic risk factors for disease. Essentially the saliva test should shed light on what genetic variations an individual has at particular genes.It is worth pondering then the potential minefield of IP problems that have arisen over gene patents and their possessive owners that could threaten...

Unofficial Olympic Advertising Sails Close To The WindPosted on Aug 01, 2012 by Dr. Julie Nixon  | 0 CommentsFollowing on from our last blog, it was with some amusement to read that a few prominent brands are doing their best to get in on the Olympic party while steering clear of the draconian brand protection of the Olympic sponsors.The managing director of Oddbins, Ayo Akintola, issued the following statement;“… thanks to LOCOG any business without the tens of millions of pounds required to join the cabal of multinational brand partners for the Games are reduced to the status of beggars on...

Misleading adverts: Rooney tweets and getting bitter with ApplePosted on Jun 24, 2012 by Andy Harris  | 0 CommentsYou will no doubt be familiar with Apple’s latest advert for new iPhone 4s, which focuses on its Siri voice activated assistant. Well it appears some bitter Apple consumers (pun apology) have raised class actions in the US alleging false and misleading advertising on the basis that Siri is only in beta (test) stage and does not always work in the rather marvellously efficient manner suggested in the advert. Apple not surprisingly have denied any wrongdoing and say they made it clear, both...

Trade mark saints and sinnersPosted on Jun 14, 2012 by Andy Harris  | 0 CommentsAs if the political chicanery of a presidential campaign isn’t hard enough, President Obama’s campaign team have had to take action to protect their ‘Rising Sun’ campaign logo. They have filed trade mark infringement proceedings against a US company which appears to have ignored earlier requests to stop the unauthorised use. Apparently the company’s CEO has suggested there was no issue on the basis that ‘hundreds’ of other companies used some form of rising sun graphic in their logo.  Unfortunately for him and his company, this type...