The week in IP – UPC, Qualcomm, We Shall Overcome, RPX, EPO and more

February 01 2018

Recent intellectual property news included German organisations’ support for dismissing a UPC complaint, a $26.7m patent award to Illumina, a surprising trade mark ruling in Brussels, an EU court’s ruling on a vulgar mark, “We Shall Overcome” entering the public domain, the Supreme Court’s IP docket, the EU fining Qualcomm and RPX’s potential sale. Ellie Mertens reports

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more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Patents

North v South: historical rankings show tale of two markets

Our 2026 rankings for Western Europe, taken with historical data, reveal that some European IP markets hardly change – while others are more fluid

Max Walters, July 07 2026

Patents

The courage to say no: from ‘fish out of water’ to leader

Selina Hinchliffe, head of commercial services at Shakespeare Martineau, reflects on rejecting Cambridge, leading through empathy, and why authenticity matters more than fitting in

Max Walters, July 07 2026

Patents

Beyond the headlines: UPC opportunity hiding in the Hogan Lovells-Cadwalader merger

US corporates are using the UPC, but much of that work still flows to European boutiques. Last week’s merger, as well as others, could alter that dynamic

Max Walters, July 06 2026

Patents

Red boxing gloves positioned in front of a Canadian flag backdrop, symbolizing strength and national pride in combat sports.

Riposte: Canada’s local IP market jabs back at newcomers

Publicly listed Australian group IPH delivered on its promise to profoundly shake up the Canadian market. Four years on, rivals have had time to adapt

July 06 2026

Patents

Rusty water tap with a single drop over cracked dry land under dramatic sunlight. Concept of drought, heatwave, water scarcity, climate change, extreme weather, and environmental crisis

‘One tap closes, another opens’: USPTO tightens reexam procedures

IP practitioners debate whether new guidelines will make it more difficult to challenge a patent

Sanjana Mishra, July 06 2026

Patents

Exclusive: Beck Greener hires Finnegan lawyer as first solicitor partner

Varuni Paranavitane says she is excited to bring ‘rounded expertise’ to the firm, which will have a solicitor in its ranks for the first time

Max Walters, July 06 2026

Patents

AI powered search engine optimization technology and digital marketing growth represented by robot hand building blocks

Weekly take: For once, an AI trend that might improve the legal profession

Lawyers adapting to AI-driven recommendations are being pushed to demonstrate expertise publicly rather than simply relying on a polished website

Max Walters, July 03 2026

Trademarks

Ohio firm launches multidisciplinary brand protection practice

Mid-market businesses looking to establish an online presence need ‘holistic’ brand protection services at an accessible cost, according to partners

Sanjana Mishra, July 02 2026

Patents

UPC update: Litigation hierarchy emerges | Firms hit with fees warning

Our latest update also includes the latest case filing statistics, and an update on how a transatlantic merger could be a UPC opportunity for the US half of the partnership

July 02 2026

Patents

Search new job, finding candidate or discover talent, hiring and recruitment, SEO search engine optimization, find career opportunity concept, business people HR push magnifying glass on search, Gener

HGF continues hiring streak with ex in-house appointments

New partners, from biotech company Leyden Labs and Novartis, take the total number of partner hires to 12 since the firm took on external investment in late 2024

July 01 2026