December 2007
EPC 2000 Changes to the European Patent System
The
European Patent Convention (EPC) is a multilateral treaty which
allows an Applicant at the European Patent Office (EPO) to file
and prosecute European patent applications which after grant become
a bundle of national rights effective in European states party
to the EPC.
The briefing sheet can be read here.
October
2007
UK Trade Mark Registry Changes
The
Trade Marks Registry is changing its examination practice with
effect from 1 October 2007. After that date the Registrar will
no longer have the power to refuse to register a Trade Mark on
the basis of a perceived conflict with earlier UK Trade Marks,
Community Trade Marks or International Trade Mark registrations
that designate the UK or European Union.
The briefing sheet can be read here.
October
2007
York Office adds to its Attorney Pool!
Murgitroyd
& Company's York Office's growth and development has been further
boosted by Peter Wilson joining it from Novagraaf. Peter is an
experienced senior Attorney with both private practice and inhouse
experience, and not just in the York area. He previously headed
up Fitzpatricks' London Office after having spent six years in
the IP Department at DERA, the UK's Defence Evaluation and Research
Agency. His joining the York Office is another indicator of that
office's expansion, and Peter's skills as both a UK and European
Patent Attorney adds to the breadth and depth of the office's
local Attorney resource. After graduating with a Honours degree
in Natural Sciences, Peter earned a PhD in Materials Science and
Metallurgy from Pembroke College, University of Cambridge.
September 2007
London Agreement
With France's intention being, now,
to ratify the London Agreement, Murgitroyd has prepared a briefing sheet outlining the implications
of this for the translation costs attaching to obtaining European Patents.
The briefing sheet can be read here
August 2007
New
"Director" appointment
Murgitroyd & Company is delighted to announce Craig Watson
will become "Director, Patents" as of the 1st of August
2007. Craig, a qualified UK and European Patent Attorney
is based in the practice's Aberdeen Office. Craig has been at
Murgitroyd since 1999 and his appointment reflects his contribution
to the continuing growth and development of Aberdeen Office, his
involvement with the practice's technical training programme and
his contribution to the management and development of a number
of major clients. Craig also sits on the Practice Board.
Exam Success
Murgitroyd & Company is delighted that two of its
professional staff have successfully passed the qualifying
examinations to become European Patent Attorneys. The successful
candidates are Margaret Hartnett and Ian Lindsay. In addition,
Craig Hutchison's exam success results in him qualifying to become a
UK Patent Agent. These successes add to Veronique Marcque's qualification as a
French Trade Mark Attorney earlier in the summer, and Steve Waller, Rosi Armstrong
and Glen Wilson passing the qualifying exam to become Registered Patent Attorneys in
Ireland. The combined outcome brings the total number of qualified Attorneys in the
practice to 50.
April
2007
Exam Success
Murgitroyd & Company is
delighted that Joanne Lecky has successfully passed the qualifying examinations to become
a UK Registered Trade Mark Attorney. Joanne, who is principally based in the practice's
Belfast Office, is now qualified three times over having previously attained Community
Trade Mark Attorney status and qualified as a Registered Trade Mark Attorney in Ireland.
Edinburgh Office Opens for Business
As previously
announced, Murgitroyd & Company is now open for business in Scotland's
capital city, Edinburgh. The practice's office, West Point House, is based
in the Gyle area towards the west of city with quick and easy access to both
the city's airport and ring road. The new Edinburgh office brings to twelve
the number of European offices Murgitroyd & Company is now servicing clients
from, and will, initially, be the principal base for three existing and one
newly recruited Attorneys - experienced Murgitroyd & Company Attorneys Gordon
Stark, Arlene Campbell and Sophie Coret being joined in June by Jamie Thomson
who joins from a London-based practice. More information about Jamie is given below.
New Recruits!
Murgitroyd & Company's
continued expansion and development has been further boosted by the recruitment
of two new qualified Attorneys, and a part-qualified Attorney into three of its
European Offices. Jamie Thomson, a qualified Patent Attorney with a specialism
in chemistry, joins the new Edinburgh Office from a London-based firm, whilst
Julie Turner joins Murgitroyd & Company's London Office and is an experienced,
qualified Trade Mark Attorney. The practice's final new recruit is Louise Pye
who joins in Aberdeen - Louise, an Edinburgh University graduate with a PhD from
Cambridge University, started her Patent training with HLBB Shaw. Her specialism is virology.
February
2007
Milan
Office opens for business
As
previously announced, Murgitroyd & Company is now open for business
in Italy. Experienced Italian and European Patent Attorney, Guido
Zerbi, has joined Murgitroyd & Company and heads up its new Milan
Office. This represents another important step in the development
of Murgitroyd & Company's pan-European strategy and reinforces
its position as one of Europe's premier Patent and Trade Mark
practices. Guido comes to Murgitroyd & Company from an inhouse
position at IBM where he has worked, both in Italy and the UK,
for over fifteen years. Guido has headed up IBM's Italian IP operations
since 2001.
