New patent search tool to boost UK innovation & more…Keep up with what has been happening this week in our latest IP news round-up…

IP in AIFC comes under new legal regime in January 2025

Until this year, the hub had no special regulation of intellectual property rights—AIFC participants and bodies had to refer to the national legislation of Kazakhstan. On 15 November 2024, the AIFC approved the Intellectual Property (IP) Regulations, which came into effect on 1 January 2025.

New patent search tool to boost UK innovation

A new online search tool for UK patents launched today will make it easier for businesses and innovators to search and access patent information, supporting UK growth and innovation.

Bridging the gap: mapping investors to strengthen Europe’s innovation ecosystem

The latest study by the European Patent Office (EPO) maps specialised technology investors and introduces a novel metric to help startups identify them. A new filter in the Deep Tech Finder tool also makes it easier to search for these investors.

Preprints and social media: balancing early publication with commercial IP protection

Universities are well aware of the strategic importance of commercialising innovation and a recent report shows that four UK universities are in the top ten in Europe for numbers of startups based on university patent applications.

Costa Rica to become the Seventh Validation State at the EPO

Costa Rica has recently signed a landmark validation agreement with the European Patent Office (EPO). This means that Costa Rica will soon become the first country in Central America to allow European patents to be validated within its jurisdiction.