Dec 15, 2025

Explain the new USPTO guidelines for AI-assisted inventions

The new United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) guidance, effective November 28, 2025, clarifies that only natural persons can be named as inventors on patents. AI systems are considered a tool used in the inventive process, not an inventor or joint inventor, regardless of their sophistication.

Nov 26, 2025

If you find a prior-filed trademark abroad, would it block your commercial use in the U.S.?

In the U.S., trademark rights are primarily established through actual use of the mark in commerce within the U.S., not just by registration in a foreign country. Generally, if a foreign company has no commercial presence or use of the mark in the U.S., their foreign use and registration do not automatically grant them rights that would block a good-faith U.S. user or registrant.

Nov 13, 2025

UK Intellectual Property Office fees to increase from April 2026

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is increasing fees for patents, trade marks and designs from 1 April 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.