The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Economics of Streaming Contact Group has presented an independent research project to provide an introductory understanding of Equitable Remuneration (ER) if implemented in the UK’s performers and music market. The aim is to evaluate the impression of introducing ER to the investment environment for artists and labels investing in the creation of new recording copyrights. The purpose of this work was not to conclude or provide specific recommendations, but to lay the foundation for future research. Calculating the cost of these implementations was not included within this model, and the consideration of fairness of the current situation and how the introduction of the proposed changes might lead to a more or less fair outcome were also excluded.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has signed the Riyadh Design Law Treaty (RDLT) at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly in Geneva on 11 July 2025. The treaty seeks to simplify and harmonise international design protection procedures while offering several enhancements, such as: standardised application processes, simplified filing procedures, harmonised timescales for information requests, and an emphasis on digital modernisation through electronic applications and public digital databases. Designed to benefit UK businesses and designers by reducing administrative burdens, IPO CEO Adam Williams highlighted that the treaty would facilitate easier international registration and maintenance of design rights for SMEs. The treaty will take effect once 15 countries deposit their instruments of accession with WIPO, with the UK now joining 19 signatories such as Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the Philippines. Following the signing, stakeholder engagement and formal ratification efforts will begin, underscoring the UK’s commitment towards harmonising international design law.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has endorsed SafeGlam, an online learning platform developed by business graduate Giorgia Flora Aloi. The platform aims to educate consumers about the dangers of counterfeit cosmetics and how to identify them. SafeGlam aligns with the IPO's Counter-Infringement Strategy, which seeks to raise awareness about the risks of fake products. The IPO provided valuable research and resources to support the platform's development, recognising the potential of peer-to-peer education in reaching younger consumers effectively.

IP analysis: The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is undergoing a major transformation aimed at creating a unified, digital IP service covering patents, trade marks, designs and tribunal functions. As part of this long-term programme, the IPO launched a second public consultation in 2023 to inform future changes in how trade marks, designs and IPO tribunal services will be administered. The government’s response to this consultation, published on 10 April 2025, sets out the next steps for reform and outlines several legislative and procedural updates. For IP practitioners, the proposals carry several practical implications that will affect portfolio management, filing strategies and dispute resolution. This News Analysis considers the background to the consultation, highlights the key outcomes from the government’s response, and sets out what we know about the road ahead. It also offers some practical guidance for advising clients as they prepare for the upcoming changes in service delivery and legal practice. Written by Vincent Liu, associate at JMW Solicitors LLP.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has updated its guidelines for examining patent applications relating to artificial intelligence (AI) inventions. The update incorporates changes resulting from the Court of Appeal's judgment in Emotional Perception AI Ltd v Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks [2024] EWCA Civ 825. Specific paragraphs have been added or edited, including paragraphs 4.4 to 4.7, 4.23 to 4.28, 5.12, 5.33 to 5.37, 7 to 7.10, 8.5, and 8.6. The scenarios applying these guidelines have also been updated, with scenarios 13 to 15 reclassified as excluded subject matter, while scenarios 16 and 17 have been updated to reflect the judgment.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has updated its Examining patent applications relating to artificial intelligence (AI) inventions guidance. The update includes the addition of paragraphs 32 to 39 to the guidelines which discuss the judgment in Emotional Perception AI Ltd v Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks [2023] EWHC 2948 (Ch). Paragraphs 7, 112, 125, 127 and 128 of the guidelines are edited following the Emotional Perception judgment. Paragraphs 47, 48, 59, 64, 65, 69, 109, 110, and 135 of the guidelines are added to discuss decisions of the Comptroller concerning AI inventions. Scenarios 13 to 15 are edited to say they are not excluded following the Emotional Perception judgment.

ARCHIVED: Lexis+® UK Corporate conducted research to examine market trends in respect of equity capital markets (ECM) transactions in 2019, using 2018 and 2017 ECM transactions for comparative purposes. Background and approach We reviewed a total of 233 IPOs (131 on the Main Market and 102 on AIM). The IPOs reviewed exclude introductions and transfers from AIM to the Main Market. Market capitalisation has been calculated at the opening price on the day of admission. Where gross proceeds have been calculated, the figures refer to the gross proceeds received by the company and not proceeds raised by selling shareholders (if any). The percentages included in this report have been rounded up or down as appropriate and accordingly percentages may not in aggregate add up to 100%. This review of 2019 IPOs forms part of our annual trend report which aims to provide insight into the current dynamics of ECM activity in the UK. The other parts of our 2019 trend report comprise: • Secondary Offers in 2019—Main Market and AIM • Standard listings in 2019

ARCHIVED: This archived report analyses the types of companies completing AIM IPOs in

This Practice Note seeks to answer some key questions relating to IPOs or initial public offers on the London stock markets. What is an IPO? The acronym IPO stands for initial public offering. It usually refers to the process by which a company first becomes admitted to trading on a stock exchange, such as the London Stock Exchange (or LSE), and offers its shares to investors in order to raise funds. This is also known as a stock market flotation or listing. Although, legally speaking, ‘listing’ has a more specific meaning — see the section on What is the Official List? below. An IPO fundraising will typically involve a company offering new shares to institutional investors, such as asset managers, pension funds and insurance firms. This may be combined with an offer of new shares to the general public. The fundraising structure may also involve existing shareholders selling their shares in the company. The term IPO implies that there will be some form of offer of the company’s shares at the time of being admitted to a stock market. However,

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has published its 2024—25 Corporate Plan, outlining its plans and focus for the first year of its new strategy, IPO 2027: IP for a creative and innovative UK.

International Physical Protection Advisory Service: created by the IAEA to assist states in strengthening their national security regimes.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published analysis of the Home Office’s ‘earned settlement’ consultation, estimating that around 1.35 million people currently on routes to settlement could face longer qualifying periods under the proposed reforms. The consultation proposes increasing the default qualifying period from five to 10 years, with Skilled Worker visa holders in roles designated as below graduate level, including many care workers, facing a default period of 15 years. Qualifying periods could be shortened or extended depending on individual circumstances, including reductions linked to English language proficiency and higher earnings, and extensions linked to benefit claims or periods of visa overstaying.IPPR’s analysis indicates that the affected cohort includes around 309,000 children and is primarily made up of people on work routes and refugee permissions, with the most common nationalities being Indian, Nigerian and Pakistani. The research argues that applying longer qualifying periods to those already on settlement routes raises concerns about fairness, legal certainty and legitimate expectation, given that many migrants entered the UK on the basis of a publicly stated five-year route to settlement. IPPR highlights potential impacts on child poverty and calls for the inclusion of a legacy, or ‘grandfathering’, clause to protect those already on routes to settlement from retrospective application of the extended qualifying periods.