International

Members of our International Liaison Committee (ILC) ensured that the profession was promoted in our most important overseas markets throughout the year, with a focus on demonstrating the key role that UK attorneys were playing at the Unified Patent Court.

Delegations to the UK

At the end of February we were delighted to host colleagues from the Japan Patent Attorney Association (JPAA). The visit began with a dinner at the Ivy on 29 February, attended by the Japanese delegates and members of our Japan Working Group. This was followed by a roundtable meeting on 1 March at our offices in Holborn, London. CIPA Fellow Ben Hoyle presented on the use of AI for patent work and Hideyuki Tanaka from the JPAA presented on the use of AI in the IP field in Japan. Darren Smyth gave updates on the Unified Patent Court, which was followed by discussions on current working models and the use of video conferencing in Japan and the UK. The afternoon saw CIPA members attending an in-person seminar, with presentations given by the Japanese delegates on recent court cases, updates from the Japan Patent Office and current trends and uses of AI in Japan. The seminar was followed by a drinks and networking reception at Davy’s Wine Bar in Holborn, generously hosted by JPAA.

In May, members of the ILC, the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA), and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) welcomed members of the Capital Intellectual Property Services Association (CISPA) from China. The meeting was held on Thursday 23 May at the CIPA offices. The visiting delegates comprised of group of judges and officials from the Beijing Intellectual Property Office, and they gave a presentation on Beijing as an important trade hub in China. Matt Dixon presented on UK activity at the UPC and how the new court is changing the landscape of European patent litigation. We were joined by Ben Llewellyn-Jones, International Director of the IPO, who gave an update on the IPO’s work in the UK and overseas. The meeting was followed by lunch and an offer from CISPA to host CIPA next time there is a visit to China.

In June we hosted a delegation from the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). The visit began with a diversity and inclusion drinks reception held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Roof Terrace. There were talks given by AIPLA 2024 President Ann Mueting and Robert Andrews, CIPA Fellow and member of IP Inclusive’s governing body. The event, which was sponsored by RWS, was well attended by both AIPLA and CIPA members and was a wonderful opportunity for networking between the associations. The following day saw a roundtable meeting held in the CIPA offices where we were again delighted to be joined by colleagues from government. ILC Chair Daniel Chew gave an update of the activity of UK attorneys at the Unified Patent Court, Daniel Yonan from AIPLA presented on the U.S. International Trade Commission, Ben Llewellyn-Jones spoke about the UK’s international IP attaché network and international activity of the IPO, Anna King from AIPLA gave a review of the new Trade Modernisation Act (TMA) of 2020, and IPO patent examiner Nigel Hanley presented on the high-profile Emotional Perception AI case. The visit concluded with a dinner at the Ivy, attended by CIPA ILC members, the IPO team and the delegates from AIPLA.

In July, there was a visit from the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC). The visit began with a roundtable meeting where Matt Dixon provided updates on UK activity at the UPC, CIPA Vice-President Bobby Mukherjee led a discussion on privilege, IPIC Chief Executive Adam Kingsley discussed regulation and the professional title of ‘Chartered Patent Attorney, and IPIC President Paula Clancy discussed the new funding opportunity for businesses in Canada, IP Assist. In the afternoon, delegates from IPIC presented a seminar to CIPA members, providing updates on IPIC activities since the pandemic. Paula presented on trade mark examinations, the Bill 96 Language Law and professional regulation through the College of Patent and Trademark Attorneys. Nathaniel Lipkus, IPIC Vice-President discussed the Benjamin Moore & Co v Attorney General of Canada and other case law updates. Jason Hynes spoke about the issue of Agent-Client privilege in Canada. Elizabeth Dipchand concluded the seminar by discussing IP strategy and the IP Assist programme. The seminar was followed by a networking reception.

The following day our Canadian colleagues travelled to Burness Paull in Edinburgh, to present a seminar to CIPA members in Scotland. Following updates from IPIC, CIPA Fellow John Gray presented on deadlines and digital transformation at the European Patent Office and Fellow Alistair Hindle spoke on Psychological Strategies for UK and European Patent Examination.

In September, there was a meeting between CNIPA, the Chinese Patent Office, CITMA, and CIPA. The meeting was held on 26 September at Boult Wade Tennant. Past President and Council member Alasdair Poore represented CIPA. Former Appeal Court judge and the Sir Hugh Laddie Chair of Intellectual Property Law at UCL, Sir Robin Jacob, gave a talk about IP arbitration.

In November an ILC delegation led by Daniel Chew visited Korea. On 14 November, Daniel, Dick Waddington and Cherry Shin visited the Korean Patent Attorney Association (KPAA) for a roundtable meeting and seminar. Daniel presented on the UPC, Dick presented on patentable issues and AI, and Cherry presented on designs. There was also a first-time visit to KINPA, the in-house patent attorney association in Korea, where the delegates met with the KINPA board and general secretary. There were discussions on how UP filings had affected filings at the UK IPO and in UK litigation.

Promoting the excellence of the profession overseas

ILC members also attended several overseas conferences throughout 2024. In May, members of the ILC, lead by Daniel Chew, attended the AIPLA Spring Meeting, in Austin, Texas. They met the AIPLA Executive Committee and Presidents Group, where they discussed Substantive Patent Law Harmonisation (SPLH) issues and UK firms’ involvement in the Unified Patent Court.

In September, Daniel attended the Intellectual Property Owners Association (US IPO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, supported by ILC members Clare Cornell and Mike Jennings and CIPA’s External Affairs Officer Emily Jones. They attended a meeting with the US IPO leadership team to discuss SPLH, liaison with BusinessEurope, IP quality charter, and grace periods. During the conference, CIPA hosted a drinks reception in order to promote the UK profession. This was well attended by many international delegations.

In October, ILC members Michael Williams and Dick Waddington attended the AIPLA Annual Meeting in Maryland with Council members Vicki Salmon and Robert Jackson. The delegation met with IPIC’s Nathaniel Lipkus, and IPIC CEO Adam Kingsley, for breakfast. There was also a productive meeting with the AIPLA’s IP practice in Europe committee.

In November, Daniel attended the Asian Patent Attorney Association Conference in Manila with several ILC members to ensure that our network of  relations with sister institutes in the southern hemisphere remained harmonious and fruitful. During the conference, there were meetings with Association of Singapore Patent Attorneys (ASPA), New Zealand Intellectual Property Attorneys Incorporated (NZIPA), Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA), and Taiwan Patent Attorneys Association (TWPAA).

Virtual events

In March, a joint webinar was hosted by ILC members and the World Intellectual Property Organisation, organised with the assistance of former President Tony Rollins. Tony presented on future developments in the patent system, Matt Dixon spoke about the UPC and Mike Jennings gave a presentation on AI. There were also presentations delivered by Adam Williams of the UK IPO and Prof. Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks at Intellectual Property India. The webinar had 200 attendees, with 87% of the participants from India, with the remainder from the UK, Italy, and Switzerland.

In April, Tony gave a webinar for the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA) on Substantive Patent Law Harmonisation. There were around 200 attendees, with good engagement from attendees and some interesting questions at the end.

In August, CIPA held a webinar jointly with the US IPO, where CIPA members shared their experiences representing before the UPC.

In September, ILC member Howard Read led a webinar for CIPA members on Supplementary Protection Certificates in Latin America.

In November, there was a webinar for TWPAA members. Darren Smyth presented on UPC, Rachel Free presented on AI, and Tony Rollins chaired. It was well attended by about 50-60 Taiwanese patent attorneys.