The Effect of the UPC on

Opposition Proceedings at the EPO

The introduction of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) has brought significant changes to the European patent landscape. This article, written by Nathaniel Taylor (of Keltie's Opposition and Appeals team), takes a closer look at the impact of the UPC on opposition proceedings at the European Patent Office (EPO).

AI-Driven Materials Innovation

Protecting Breakthroughs

The fusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and materials science is changing how industries work, from energy and construction to advanced manufacturing. AI is speeding up discovery, from low-carbon cement to quantum-designed materials. To keep up, your IP strategy needs to evolve, too.

‘The dos and don’ts’ when filing

EU Customs Applications for Action (AFAs)’

Keltie moderated the EUIPO and Irish Customs webinar which focused on the ‘dos and don’ts’ when filing EU AFAs. The aim of this session was to raise awareness and encourage IP rights holders to adopt a proactive approach by filing AFAs in order to mitigate the risk of infringing and counterfeit goods crossing borders and reduce the need for filing Ex-officio AFAs where goods have been seized but AFAs are not in place.

Case Law Review: Board of Appeal Decision

T 1741/22

Patent applications related to data processing often fall foul of the EPO’s exclusions on “mathematical methods”. Applicants in the MedTech space in particular may find it far easier to protect the hardware in their wearable devices and tools than to protect the software that processes and analyses that data. A recent board of appeal decision T 1741/22 seems to contradict the Guidelines for Examination and previous Board of Appeal decisions. This decision may shed some light on how the EPO may approach these data processing applications in future.

IPO Transformation Consultation II

Key updates and changes

On 10 April 2025, the Government published responses to the second transformation consultation, which focused on changes to the IPO’s trade mark, design and tribunal services. This follows the first transformation consultation, published on 1 August 2023, which centred around the new digital patents service.