World Intellectual Property Day 2023

Women and IP: Accelerating innovation and creativity

This year we celebrate the “can do” attitude of women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs around the world whether they are driving scientific breakthroughs, setting new creative trends, building businesses, and transforming our world. Here are just a few examples of how our member firms have played a critical role in protecting their intellectual property, enabling them to forge new horizons with their groundbreaking ideas.

Roma women speak up for change

Karanović & Partners works with a UK foundation called GRUBB (Gypsy Roma Urban Balkan Beats), which runs educational and artistic programs for Roma children and youth. GRUBB created a band called Pretty Loud, which is likely the world’s first all-Roma female hip-hop group. Through their lyrics and writing, the Serbian band talks about challenges they face as young Roma women, tackling complex topics such as race, social justice, freedom of choice and access to education. They use their voices to fight for a better future – not only their own, but for future generations of Roma girls. Their inspiring story and music have been heard beyond the Balkans, attracting coverage from newspapers like the New York Times.

Karanović & Partners makes sure that the band's IP rights are properly protected at all times, even when they perform before the UN or European Union institutions. The firm counsels GRUBB and Pretty Loud on contract drafting, copyright, taxes and scholarships, among other matters.

 

The sustainability pioneer running circles around fast fashion

EON is at the forefront of technology-assisted sustainability efforts and is leading the charge in making fashion and apparel an integral part of a circular economy. Founder and CEO Natasha Franck developed the proprietary technology and created the EON brand with the goal of communicating to consumers information on sourcing, supply chain, recyclability and sustainability of garments. EON’s Digital ID technology gives brands’ materials a comprehensive digital profile stored in the cloud, enabling traceability, intelligence and connectivity across a garment’s lifecycle.

The team of trademark specialists at US firm Duane Morris worked with Natasha and EON to clear and federally protect the EON and CIRCULAR ID brands and ensure EON has the ability to control and enforce the use of its brands to identify authenticity and track the lifecycle of products incorporating the branded technology.

 

Pursuing equality in STEM for tomorrow's groundbreaking women

Women Ahead of Their Time (WATT) is a UK not-for-profit, community interest company empowering young women working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and promoting gender equality. WATT was founded by several Cambridge-based scientists and professionals prominent in the city’s life sciences community.

Penningtons Manches Cooper provide sponsorship to WATT, and offered pro bono legal advice (data protection and trademarks) during its first year. The pro bono advice assisted WATT in setting up its website; this was particularly important for WATT because its online platform featured inspirational stories from women working in STEM and life sciences, and a podcast series interviewing successful female scientists, businesswomen and entrepreneurs. The platform’s goal is to empower future leaders to find effective role models and encourage equal opportunities.