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.