IP essentials

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The IP essentials subtopic provides a basic overview of IP law. It is aimed at commercial lawyers not specialised in IP.

What is intellectual property?

The World Intellectual Property Office defines IP as ‘creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce’. Broadly, the aim of IP law is to cultivate an environment in which creativity and invention can flourish.

In the UK, IP rights are registered with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) though there are other entities which register rights at an international level.

The four most common IP rights are: patents, trade marks, designs and copyright. Other available IP rights and associated rights include: database rights, plant variety rights, semiconductor topography rights, geographical indications, trade secrets, confidential information and know-how. There are rights to prevent passing off and protection may also be available for spare parts and image rights.

For information about the various IP rights, see Practice Notes:

  1. •

    Introduction to patents

  2. •

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Latest Local Government News

DfE responds to Education Select Committee report on SEND system reform

The Department for Education (DfE) has published correspondence from Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, to the Chair of the Education Select Committee, Helen Hayes, responding to the Committee's report ‘Solving the SEND Crisis’. The letter outlines DfE’s support measures being invested in for special educational needs and disability (SEND) provisions and details a planned engagement period to test future policy options with parents, educators, SEND experts and representative organisations. The correspondence also sets out DfE's five principles for SEND reform.

Ofsted publishes independent report on stakeholder engagement during education inspections

Ofsted has published an independent report examining how stakeholders can share their views during education inspections, conducted by the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT). The research focused on developing an understanding of how Ofsted and providers could increase engagement for all stakeholders, including children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and socioeconomic disadvantages. The study heard from over 3,500 people across early years, schools and further education settings, combining in-depth qualitative research, quantitative survey data collection and cognitive testing. Ofsted states the commission has helped make evidence-informed improvements to inspection surveys, methodology and inspector training, and that BIT's recommendations will be considered as part of its ongoing reform programme.

Local Government weekly highlights—23 October 2025

This week’s edition of Local Government weekly highlights includes: a case analysis of the Supreme Court case of C G Fry & Son Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, confirming national planning policy cannot override rights granted by outline planning permission and that regulation 63 of the Habitats Regulations applies to later planning stages; Friends of the Lake District v Lake District National Park Authority, affirming a balanced approach to conservation and planning judgment in National Parks; and The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Wandsworth v Young (by his litigation friend the Official Solicitor), in which the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against a possession order, stating that Parliament has laid down specific requirements in section 193 of the Housing Act 1996 regarding cessation of the main housing duty and that section 184 notification requirements did not apply in such cases. News includes: DfE has published updated guidance for local authorities on the children in need census for 2025–2026; publication of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, outlining reforms to address skills gaps; MHCLG guidance on Awaab’s Law for timely social housing repairs; draft regulations to direct data centres into the NSIP regime; and CCS updates on SME support, supplier relationship management and anti-slavery procurement guidance. It also includes further updates on Planning, Social housing, Children’s social care, Education, Public procurement, Governance, Healthcare, Social Care and Environmental law and climate change.

DfE updates children in need census guidance for 2025-2026

The Department for Education (DfE) has published updated guidance for local authorities on the children in need census for 2025-2026, conducted under section 83 of the Children Act 1989. The main change involves renaming Primary Need code N1 from 'Abuse or neglect' to 'Abuse, neglect and exploitation' to align with Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance. The update also incorporates references to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, recognising children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right and revises definitions for neglect and sexual abuse categories.

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