J A Kemp

Join us for a webinar on 11 November 2025 to ensure your IP strategy keeps pace with the fast-moving world of plant breeding and agricultural biotechnology. Protecting valuable plant varieties and biotechnological inventions requires a nuanced understanding of an evolving legal and regulatory landscape. With new legislative proposals and regulatory shifts shaping the future of gene-edited plants, this session will provide the insight needed to make informed strategic decisions in Europe and the United Kingdom. Dan Shaw and Carsten Reinhard will guide attendees through the latest developments in plant variety rights and patentability, exploring the key differences between the European and British systems, the ongoing debate around gene-edited (NGT) plants, and the implications for patent-eligibility before the European Patent Office. They will also discuss how to build a cohesive IP strategy that integrates both patents and plant variety rights to maximise protection and commercial advantage. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eQTkUakR

Our latest article, entitled “The Evolution of patent infringement by equivalents”, looks at how the UK Patents Court (in the post-Actavis eight years) and the UPC (in its two formative years) have approached the doctrine of equivalents. The article considers developing issues, such as whether claim integers can be considered “inessential” in the assessment of infringement by equivalents, the development of the “disclosed but not claimed” principle, the relevance of the prosecution history, and the availability of the Formstein defence. The article was authored by John Hornby and Chris King and appears in IAM’s Europe, Middle East and Africa Patent Litigation Review 2026. https://lnkd.in/e5Sas-T3

Olivia Bourne, Trainee Patent Attorney in our Biotechnology and Life Sciences team, shares her journey into the intellectual property profession and her experience of training with the firm. At J A Kemp, we provide comprehensive training, one-to-one mentoring and a supportive environment to help our trainees build successful and rewarding careers in intellectual property. Applications for our 2026 Trainee Patent Attorney Programme are now open. We review applications on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. Find out more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eUBa-Q3B

We are proud to share that J A Kemp has once again been recognised as a Band One firm in both the Patent and Trade Mark Attorney practice areas of the Chambers & Partners UK 2026 guide. In addition to the firm’s Band One ranking, partners Ravi Srinivasan and James Fish have retained their Band One status, while Graham Lewis has been newly ranked for 2026, also achieving a Band One ranking. We are particularly grateful to our clients for their continued trust and positive feedback. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ej7j_euh

In the recent decision UPC_CoA_534/2024, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision of the Munich Local Division that had held that the managing directors for each of the companies belonging to the Belkin Group were liable for infringing activities. Read more in our latest news item. https://lnkd.in/eGUAFC5c

Kayden X., European Patent Attorney at J A Kemp, shares his experience of training with the firm and his advice for anyone considering a career as a patent attorney. At J A Kemp, we provide comprehensive training, one-to-one mentoring and a supportive environment to help our trainees build successful and rewarding careers in intellectual property. Applications for our 2026 Trainee Patent Attorney Programme are now open. We review applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage early submissions. Find out more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eUBa-Q3B

In a recent procedural order (UPC_CFI_697/2025), the Paris Local Division of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) has provided guidance on the limits of acceptable written submissions in proceedings for provisional measures. Read more in our latest news item. https://lnkd.in/ewa2nB8r

Join us for a webinar on 4 November 2025, exploring one of the most challenging issues before the European Patent Office - added matter and the so-called “inescapable trap” created by the interplay between Articles 123(2) and (3) EPC. Hosts Lucy Barnes and Dave Gallagher will discuss how added matter is assessed at the EPO, offer practical guidance for applicants and patentees seeking to avoid the inescapable trap, and review recent developments in the Boards of Appeal’s case law. The session will also cover strategies for managing divisional applications and appeal proceedings to prevent irrevocable loss of rights. This is a valuable opportunity to gain practical insights into how to navigate one of the EPO’s most unforgiving areas of law. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e9Fv9gqk

It has now been over two years since launch of the UPC. A key question for users was what the court’s approach to assessment of validity would be in practice. In this briefing, we review the approach the UPC has taken to inventive step thus far and prospects for future closer alignment with the EPO. We also discuss potential drafting considerations. https://lnkd.in/etjDN2JJ

Exciting news! J A Kemp is a Silver Sponsor for LSPN North America – Fall 2025. Join us on 21–22 October at the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco, for the premier life sciences IP event of the year. Reserve your spot now: https://ow.ly/qVkP50XaxzV #LSPNFall2025 #LifeSciencesIP #PatentLaw