The IP Lounge: CIPA 2026 president outlines UPC hopes

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

The IP Lounge: CIPA 2026 president outlines UPC hopes

IPLoungenew.png

Simon Wright explains why the UK should embrace the possibility of rejoining the UPC, and reveals how CIPA is reacting to this month’s historic Emotional Perception AI case at the UK Supreme Court


In the latest episode, we are joined by Simon Wright, the 2026 president of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.

Wright, who became president in January, shares what he has been up to in his first two months and outlines his priorities for the year.

Chief on his agenda is maximising UK attorneys’ use of the Unified Patent Court. The UK, he argues, should explore whether there is an appetite for rejoining the system. He says CIPA is well placed to help in this regard.

We explore how he became involved with the association and other main themes for 2026, including navigating the potential opportunities arising from the UK Supreme Court’s ruling in the Emotional Perception AI case.

We also discuss Wright’s passion for engaging with SMEs.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Lawyers at Carpmaels & Ransford explain how the healthcare sector has not simply participated in the UPC’s early years, but actively shaped it
The firm has hired former in-house counsel Quintin Cassady to lead the launch of the new office
The combined firm has strong IP credentials across the US, Middle East, UK and Europe, despite Taylor Wessing’s German and French practices not joining
Priya Nagpal, who this month became the firm’s eighth IP partner, says its cross-practice expertise in areas closely linked to IP was a key draw
Harm van der Heijden is to join Ankar as head of patent innovation after 17 years in private practice
Alabama attorney Miya Aladebumoye has launched a new firm built on ‘big law’ experience and a personal touch approach
A UKIPO campaign aimed at combating fakes in the pre-loved fashion market and registration of the first Portuguese craft and industrial geographical indication were also among the top talking points
Chris Adams, Managing IP’s research lead, joins us to explain what practitioners need to know ahead of our first rankings release of 2026
Another IP litigator joins Winston & Strawn in Dallas as firm seeks to keep pace with ‘rapid’ growth of Texas market
Anthony O'Malley will replace Andrew Blattman at IPH, which owns several large IP firms across Australia, Asia and Canada
Gift this article