Worldwide: Intellectual Property

In the latest episode of Carpmaels in Conversation, Lara Elder and Harry Shaw discuss one of the most closely watched cases in intellectual property law: Getty Images v Stability AI. Using the case as a starting point, they examine a central question for modern copyright law: whether AI models trained on datasets that include copyright works should give rise to liability for infringement.

Rebecca Field and Lee Curtis reflect on fifty episodes of their Fashionably IP podcast, revisiting the most significant intellectual property cases and concepts they've covered in the fashion industry since May 2022. What patterns have emerged across these discussions, and which legal issues have proven most impactful in shaping fashion IP law?

Lewis Silkin Partner Cliff Fluet explores the legal and commercial foundations of music catalogue acquisitions in a two-part podcast discussion.

Lidl's decision to open a pub in Northern Ireland called "The Middle Ale" demonstrates how accumulated brand recognition can be strategically converted into new commercial settings. This case study explores the intellectual property considerations that arise when a business extends its brand into unfamiliar territory, and why proactive trade mark strategy matters more than simply maintaining existing registrations.

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is implementing significant changes to EU design registration procedures, introducing dynamic and animated representation formats alongside traditional static views. These reforms will fundamentally alter how design applicants protect their intellectual property, from expanded visual documentation options to streamlined invalidity proceedings and new amendment mechanisms for registered designs.

The challenge lies in navigating the space between brand extension (growing a brand’s reach into new areas) and brand overstretch, which can alienate both new and existing loyal consumers.

Artificial intelligence offers tremendous potential for innovation and efficiency in intellectual property work, but using AI tools carelessly can inadvertently destroy patent rights, breach confidentiality, and compromise legal privilege.

When key employees with access to proprietary technology and trade secrets depart for competitors, employers face significant risks of confidential information misappropriation. The recent case of Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd v Ngoma demonstrates how imaging orders can preserve critical evidence from devices and cloud accounts, while also revealing the careful balance courts strike between protecting legitimate business interests and respecting employee rights during the disclosure process.

Fashion businesses often overlook their most valuable intellectual property assets - the confidential processes, manufacturing techniques, and proprietary knowledge that competitors cannot easily replicate.

For developers, seed companies, and their advisers, this development provides long-awaited certainty on regulatory pathways for gene edited crops.

Discover the most significant developments shaping today's patent environment through insights from our recent webinar and comprehensive analysis of current trends.

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is implementing significant changes to EU design registration procedures, introducing dynamic and animated representation formats alongside traditional static views. These reforms will fundamentally alter how design applicants protect their intellectual property, from expanded visual documentation options to streamlined invalidity proceedings and new amendment mechanisms for registered designs.