Introduction to Intellectual Property

Jane Lambert

On Thursday 26 June 2013 I introduced some 20 lawyers and others to intellectual property law. To be fair some members of my audience knew a great deal about the topic. However, I think they all learned something new.

Instead of talking about the mechanics of IP law we discussed policy.  How IP has to strike a balance between two conflicting public interests::

• incentivizing creativity and innovation; while
• safeguarding competition and freedom of trade.

This tension between these conflicting public interests has existed since the Statute of Monopolies 1623 and the Statute of Anne 1710 and it is essential to appreciate that tension in order to understand IP law.

 

As it was not possible to cover everything in the 2 hours available to me each delegate got the following 16 page handout.

This is the first of a series of talks on IP which we shall offer to solicitors and others over the course of the year..

In this series we shall take a more detailed look at patents, copyrights and related rights, trade marks and designs. We shall talk about IP strategy and management. We shall follow it up on how to conduct a case in the IPO, the Patents Court and the Patents County Courts. We shall address IP issues that affect specific industries such as food and information technology.

Our next talk is on the Patent Box at the Royal Mint on 12 July with our colleagues from Atlas Tax Chambers and friends from BDO and Broudie, Jackson Canter. Tickets are going fast so click here if you want to find out more about the event.  You can register through the website.

If you want to discuss the seminar or the topic generally call me on 020 7404 5252 or complete my contact form.