April 2011
It is World Intellectual Property day on 26 April 2011. The IP industry is celebrating the many ways in which inventions are constantly improving our daily lives, and recognising those who innovate.
This year’s theme is “Designing the Future”, concentrating on the role of design in shaping the innovations of the future. We asked some of our patent attorneys and professionals to discuss their favourite designs and inventions of modern times.
Andy Harding – “My favourite product of recent times would be the Dyson® Airblade® hand dryer. Not content to tolerate the ineffective and inefficient design of conventional hand dryers, Dyson® adopted a high velocity thin sheet of cool air, which uses less energy and dries hands more quickly. The combination of innovative technology and eye-catching product design ensured the Airblade® met with immediate success.
Dyson® uses the intellectual property system to good effect to protect its innovations and designs and to stop competitors from unscrupulously copying its products.”
Sam Jinks – “I think that the best invention of recent times is the Global Positioning System (GPS). Originating as a military navigation system, GPS as we know it today was the culmination of years of research and development co-ordinated by the US Department of Defense. With the first GPS satellite launched in 1989 and a fleet of almost 30 satellites now in operational orbit, GPS has rapidly become an almost essential part of modern-day living.
The use of GPS data forms an integral part of many modern mobile telephones, cars and cameras, continually pushing the boundaries of how the information can be used.”
James Cornford – “My favourite recent invention is the Tesla® Roadster, which is an excellent proof-of-concept for the electric car. It boasts an electric motor with 92% efficiency and one of the most technically advanced power trains in a production car. Based on the evocative design of the Lotus Elise, the car has a range of up to 250 miles and can accelerate from 0–60mph in under 4 seconds. Although it has a high price tag, the running costs are truly remarkable, with a full charge costing only a few pounds.
Tesla® has an extensive IP portfolio to protect its investment in advancing electric car technology and looks to remain at the forefront of the electric sports car market”
Our clients work at the forefront of their technology and we secure protection for all aspects of the intellectual property vested in their innovations. If you would like advice on protecting your design of the future, please contact us.