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South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport intellectual property firm Robertson IP to expand
Robertson IP, which was launched in 2019, has announced the firm's plans to expand as it celebrates its sixth birthday. Founder Christopher Robertson has grown the business from a one-man, home-based, set-up, to a well-known, international IP consultancy. The firm, which provides "transparent costs, expert support and services" for SMEs and entrepreneurs, manages portfolios for 200 clients worldwide from its Newport office. The company has now appointed two new employees in the team, in order to meet the growing demand for the services. This comes after the company's move to an office in Newport city centre earlier this year. Christopher Robertson said: "We are thrilled to be celebrating six years in business and to expand our team. "I'm very aware that many businesses didn't survive the pandemic. "It was a big challenge and one that we are still recovering from, but I'm grateful we are still here." "Our success has led to the need to grow our team to meet the demand for our services, allowing us to take on new clients and to focus on engaging with our online audience." Christopher, who began his career at the Intellectual Property Office in Newport, employed staff and got a co-working space within the first six months of launching the business. By the end of the pandemic, he took the decision to reduce the size of the business before relocating to Cardiff. The business was gradually rebuilt before returning to Newport. The two new employees at Robertson IP are Judy Payne, a finance and revenue coordinator, and Maddie Rushbrook, a recently-graduated digital marketing strategist. The company's client liaison manager, Charlott Fagergard, and Christopher complete the team at the head office in Chester House, Gold Tops. Christopher said: "As part of her role, Maddie will focus on enhancing our social media and TikTok presence, reaching new audiences and driving business growth through targeted social media campaigns. "She will be sharing legal insights and promoting our services, as well as explaining the fundamental concepts of intellectual property law, such as copyright, trademarks, and patents in an accessible way. "We're keen to appeal to a young audience to raise awareness about the importance of intellectual property and encourage young creators to protect their work." Maddie, who has a degree in Business with Digital Marketing, added: "Marketing isn't just about products, it's about people's passion, innovations, and rights. "I help give those ideas the platform they deserve, making sure they're not just seen, but safeguarded."
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Wax seals will no longer be used on official government documents – ending centuries old tradition
BONKERS laws meaning some Government documents have to be sealed with WAX are being scrapped after hundreds of years. Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden is tearing up red tape which causes delays for staff working in taxpayer funded bodies. 1 They include a rule which forces the Intellectual Property Office, overseeing patents, to close some documents with an official wax 'seal of the Patent Office'. Wax seals were first used in England to seal documents just before the Norman Conquest of 1066. Edward the Confessor was the first English Monarch known to have used them. Some of the most important documents in British history were sealed with wax, including Charles I's death warrant and the decree ordering Anne Boleyn to be beheaded. The DVLA - which completes around 45,000 handwritten forms a year - will be able to do away with the need for paper. The Government is considering legislation to scrap these laws to help staff speed up processes. A Cabinet Office source said: 'You cannot solve today's problems with outdated laws designed for a different era. 'Modernising the state and removing bureaucracy will empower ministers to do what we promised - deliver the Plan for Change, improve public services and raise living standards.'
TimesLIVE
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Ferrari wins EU court case to reclaim Testarossa trademark rights
Ferrari on Wednesday scored a win at the EU's second-highest court, which said the luxury sportscar maker had been wrongfully stripped of the rights to the Testarossa brand name. Ferrari's rights on the mark were revoked in 2023 by the EU's Intellectual Property Office, which said the company had not put them to 'genuine use' for a continuous period of five years between 2010 and 2015. But the EU's General Court annulled that decision, stating that Ferrari had used the trademark, through giving explicit or implied approval to dealers selling second-hand Testarossas and through licensing the brand for scale models. 'The use of the trademark to guarantee the identity of the origin of the goods for which it was registered, when reselling second-hand goods is capable of constituting genuine use,' the court said. Ferrari built its iconic Testarossa cars, made famous by the 1980s TV show Miami Vice, between 1984 and 1996, and now only second-hand models are available. Its rights to the brand name had been challenged by the head of German toymaker Autec.
Reuters
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
Ferrari wins back rights to Testarossa brand at EU court
AMSTERDAM, July 2 (Reuters) - Ferrari ( opens new tab on Wednesday scored a win at the EU's second-highest court, which said the luxury sportscar maker had been wrongfully stripped off the rights to the Testarossa brand name. Ferrari's rights on the mark were revoked in 2023 by the European Union's Intellectual Property Office, which said the company had not put them to "genuine use" for a continuous period of five years between 2010 and 2015. But the EU's General Court annulled that decision, stating that Ferrari had used the trade mark, through giving explicit or implied approval to dealers selling second-hand Testarossas and through licensing the brand for scale models. "The use of the trademark to guarantee the identity of the origin of the goods for which it was registered, when reselling second-hand goods is capable of constituting genuine use," the court said. Ferrari built its iconic Testarossa cars, made famous by the 1980s TV show 'Miami Vice', between 1984 and 1996, and now only second-hand models are available. Its rights to the brand name had been challenged by the head of German toy maker Autec.
STV News
25-06-2025
- Health
- STV News
Officials warn pet owners about toxic chemicals found in fake medicines
Officials have issued an urgent warning to pet owners after toxic insecticides traces were found in a fake flea treatment. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD) said pet owners should take caution when purchasing common medicines to ensure they are not counterfeit. It comes after a fake flea treatment caused Alan Wall's pet cat Smokey to fall seriously ill. Mr Wall, from Preston, had bought what appeared to be genuine Frontline flea treatment online for Smokey. The cat required emergency intestinal surgery followed by a week-long stay at the veterinary clinic, which led to significant bills. Mr Wall said: 'Smokey is more than just a pet, he's a member of our family. PA Media Smokey fell seriously ill after being treated with counterfeit flea treatment (Alan Wall/PA). 'When he became ill after using what we believed was a genuine flea treatment, we were terrified. 'Watching him suffer, not knowing whether he would pull through, was heartbreaking. It's taken a huge emotional toll on all of us.' Mr Wall later had the product tested in a laboratory by experts at the University of Bath, who confirmed the presence of Pirimiphos-methyl, a dangerous insecticide toxic to cats. The VMD and IPO have now alerted pet owners to be vigilant to the signs of counterfeit products, which are illegal to sell in the UK. PA Media The counterfeit Frontline medicine (Intellectual Property Office/PA). Those seeking bargains or a quick purchase online may unknowingly buy fake medicines or treatments. The counterfeits deliberately copy the appearance, packaging and branding of genuine veterinary products but lack proper active ingredients. This means they are ineffective or even harmful to pets, causing severe reactions including vomiting, muscle tremors, breathing difficulties, seizures and potentially death. Officials say owners should check for warning signs including poor packaging, spelling errors, missing information and unusual smells. Last year alone, the VMD issued 122 seizure notices for the selling of unauthorised animal medicines and supplements, preventing around 18,000 illegal items from reaching consumers. Mr Wall said: 'Without the support of our vets and the extensive surgery they performed we know Smokey wouldn't be with us today. 'We want to warn other pet owners about these fake products so that no one else has to endure what we've been through.' Sue Horseman from Bristol also purchased what appeared to be Frontline flea treatment online for her cat, but quickly became suspicious that the product was not genuine because it was difficult to open and smelt of white spirit and paraffin. While the online platform has removed the seller, they had already managed to sell 211 batches of suspected counterfeit pet medicines and supplements, including fake Frontline Flea and Tick Treatment and Pro Plan FortiFlora Probiotic Sachets for dogs and cats. New IPO research shows that counterfeit goods of all types are frequently purchased via global e-commerce websites. The figures also suggest that in 2024, nearly one in five (17%) consumers unknowingly purchased goods later found to be fake, with 60% of purchasers also saying that 'ease of purchasing' influenced their decision and 72% saying price was an important factor in their decision. Helen Barnham, the IPO's deputy director of enforcement, said: 'Counterfeiting is anything but a victimless crime and this latest discovery confirms this. 'If you suspect that any goods offered for sale may be counterfeit, you should always report this to your local Trading Standards or Crimestoppers Online.' Caroline Allen, RSPCA chief veterinary officer, said: 'We are very concerned about counterfeit vet treatments on sale which can be highly toxic to pets and we would always urge pet owners to seek professional veterinary advice if they have any health concerns. 'We appreciate financial pressures can lead to some owners to look for cheaper treatments online but they could be unwittingly putting their beloved pets in serious danger by inadvertently buying these counterfeit goods and would urge them to take on board this Government advice.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
