Latest news
Government announces new IP Minister
The latest minister with responsibility for intellectual property has been announced as Chris McDonald MP.
Law and practice snippets: August 2026
An update on recent practice points by our Law and Practice Committee, including updated data on tribunal activity and new examination guidelines for EUTMs.
IPReg findings highlight evolving practice needs
The Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg) has published the findings report from its call for evidence and feedback, a key stage in its ongoing education review.
Report calls for changes to Legal Services Board
An independent review, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice, into the Legal Services Board (LSB) has recommended that an overhaul of Legal Services Board (LSB) is required.
Features
Reasons to attend the CITMA Paralegal Conference 2026
Step away from your desk and put yourself at the sharp end of IP. The CITMA Paralegal Conference will equip you with leading insight and connections to boost your confidence.
Back to the future: the past, present & future of trade mark administrators
From battling paper mountains and fax machines to leading AI-driven workflow transformation, the trade mark paralegal role has changed significantly in the 21st century. What’s next?
Beyond qualification: navigating life as a newly qualified Trade Mark Attorney
You’ve studied hard and passed the exams; now it's time to embark on your career as a trade mark attorney. It’s a big transition and not always an easy one.
INTA 2026 roundup - A global welcome to London
What a privilege it was to see the global IP community in our home city. The INTA Annual Meeting brought trade mark professionals from across the world to the Excel and into every corner of London.
CITMA Review features:
We need to talk about men
Men’s disinclination to discuss mental health should concern us, writes Andrea Brewster, with National Suicide Prevention Month in mind.
Is today’s IP system sailing off course?
If failed brands are blocking others’ progress, should trade mark rules be changed for easier navigation? Aaron Wood considers the arguments.
Hard times call for soft skills
If you feel like AI is your biggest work rival, remember that your human qualities are what will make you stand out to employers, writes Carol King.
Fashioning a future
Following Queen Mary University of London’s 2026 open day about careers in fashion law, Lee Curtis and Tamsin Knight reflect on their routes into IP, offering insights for today’s recruits and recruiters.
Case comments
Saving soles
This dispute was not easy to resolve, writes Samuel O’Toole, but the IPEC ruled that confusion was unlikely for these two marks. [2026] EWHC 767 (IPEC), easyGroup Ltd v Easyfeetstore OÜ & Ors.
The short answer
The Court of Appeal ruled that a video-sharing platform’s name was clearly descriptive and did not infringe a film company’s trade mark, writes Celia Tao. The Court of Appeal ruled that a video-sharing platform’s name was clearly descriptive and did not infringe a film company’s trade mark, writes Celia Tao.
Orwell before the Grand Board
Can the title of a novel become a registered trade mark? In the case of two of George Orwell’s famous works, only up to a point, writes Luke Ingleton. R 1719/2019-G Animal Farm & R 1922/2019-G 1984, EUIPO Grand Board of Appeal.
How easy can it be?
Saaira Gill reviews four recent decisions on revocation actions filed against marks containing a certain descriptive word. O/0345/26 Kilburn & Strode LLP v Tubeway (Sales) Ltd; O/0341/26 Kilburn & Strode LLP v Omnicell GmbH; O/0440/26 Kilburn & Strode LLP v Lascar Electronics Ltd; O/0421/26 Kilburn & Strode LLP v Easibathe Ltd.