23/03/2023
We attended the Digital Health Rewired event at the Business Design Centre in London 14 to 15 March 2023. Although “lockdowns” are now becoming a distant memory, it still feels great to be attending events in-person!
The Digital Health Rewired event was a showcase for the UK and Ireland’s Digital Health innovators. Many of the exhibitors and speakers are involved in the digital transformation of the primary healthcare sector, with a particular emphasis on leveraging patient data and on process optimisation. Much of the technology was directed to handling patient data during various stages of the patient journey, with some offerings additionally focussing on ensuring data privacy and security.
With global health services under increasing pressure, it was clear that these technologies could be important in reducing backlogs and delays and ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. Highly skilled health professionals are already working flat-out to keep up with demand. A common theme among this year’s exhibitors was to provide solutions targeted at increasing efficiency by implementing IT where it works best – following a series of instructions rapidly and perfectly. One specific example is administrative tasks that many humans find dull, and where it is easy for people to make mistakes. Such tasks can be carried out far quicker and more reliably by computer, and doing so can allow staff to focus on tasks that demand nuanced decision-making and human input.
The businesses on show appeared to be the quality product. Much time and thought had clearly gone into showcasing technology including high impact stand design, careful choice of distinctive brand and product names (not to mention the latest Barista quality coffee machines to tempt potential customers to stands).
There was little talk about protecting IP. From a patent-specific perspective there were perhaps several reasons for this – one being that it can be difficult to obtain patent protection for software inventions. In most jurisdictions, a technical solution to a technical problem needs to be demonstrated; purely administrative processes carried out on a computer probably aren’t patentable. However, we always recommend talking to a patent attorney to talk things through. We have a wealth of experience in helping our clients both in drafting applications to maximise their chances of obtaining patent protection, and advising on the best jurisdictions to focus on.
In a crowded market of software-implemented solutions, product design and branding plays an even greater role than usual in attracting new customers. It’s important to check with a trade mark attorney before using new branding. This should be done both to check that you aren’t infringing others trade mark rights, and to seek appropriate protection for your own product names and branding. This is tailorable to every business’s requirements including budget and geographical reach. It is relevant for all tech companies of every size and phase from the smallest start up to the world’s largest multinationals.
Many of the innovations on display were elegantly designed for an excellent user experience. While user interfaces can be protected by patents, it is only under certain circumstances, and not always possible. They can be protected to a certain extent by registered designs. To some degree, these fill in the gaps in IP protection not covered by patents. They are usually low cost, and quick to grant, and almost certainly will grant at least in the UK and EU.
Please do talk to the Digital Health marketing team at Reddie & Grose LLP at the very earliest stages of developing a new product and business in the Digital Health space.
This article is for general information only. Its content is not a statement of the law on any subject and does not constitute advice. Please contact Reddie & Grose LLP for advice before taking any action in reliance on it.
