Protecting What Makes Us Human (part 1) #55 – with Dr. Hayleigh Bosher

In this episode of IP Stories, we welcome Dr. Hayleigh Bosher back to the podcast, a legal expert in creative industries law and policy and Reader in Intellectual Property Law at Brunel University of London. She is the author of Copyright in the Music Industry, now out in a fully updated second edition, and the host of the podcast Whose Song Is It Anyway? She's back three years after our first conversation, with plenty of news and a new outlook on life. This conversation covers a lot of ground. We talk about musicians fighting for fair remuneration and control over their work, the challenges of applying copyright law to AI, and what happens when machines are trained on huge catalogues of human creativity. But this conversation goes beyond the law. We explore what makes human creativity so unique, why art and music matter so deeply to our lives, and why protecting creators is about more than copyright. It is about preserving the space for new ideas, new voices and new ways of seeing the world. An inspiring conversation about creativity, technology and the human experience; and a reminder of why, now more than ever, human creativity matters. 

In this episode of IP Stories, we welcome Dr. Hayleigh Bosher back to the podcast, a legal expert in creative industries law and policy and Reader in Intellectual Property Law at Brunel University of London. She is the author of Copyright in the Music Industry, now out in a fully updated second edition, and the host of the podcast Whose Song Is It Anyway? She's back three years after our first conversation, with plenty of news and a new outlook on life. This conversation covers a lot of ground. We talk about musicians fighting for fair remuneration and control over their work, the challenges of applying copyright law to AI, and what happens when machines are trained on huge catalogues of human creativity. But this conversation goes beyond the law. We explore what makes human creativity so unique, why art and music matter so deeply to our lives, and why protecting creators is about more than copyright. It is about preserving the space for new ideas, new voices and new ways of seeing the world. An inspiring conversation about creativity, technology and the human experience; and a reminder of why, now more than ever, human creativity matters. 

In this episode of IP Stories, we sit down with Christie Thoene, former Vice President of Policy and Legal Communications at Qualcomm, where she spent 20 years navigating some of the most consequential patent and IP battles globally. Now launching her own consulting practice, Christie shares how an unexpected change from litigation to communications gave her a front-row seat at the center of global IP policy.We explore how storytelling and communications strategy can influence outcomes in high-stakes IP disputes, what it takes to make audiences care about something as abstract as FRAND, and why communications should be a partner in litigation and not an afterthought. Christie also reflects on the "Save the Inventor" campaign and the geopolitical complexity of global IP advocacy.A must-listen for IP counsel, policy professionals, communications strategists, and anyone interested in how narrative can determine the outcome of the world's most complex IP battles.

In this episode of IP Stories, we sit down with Gustav Szabo — known as Szabotage — and Hannah Smith, the creative duo behind the contemporary street art brand Szabotage. Together, they share how they transformed a passion for street art into a distinctive global brand, navigating the balance between artistic freedom and commercial growth.We explore how intellectual property plays a role in protecting creative work in a fast-moving, highly visual world, the challenges of maintaining authenticity while scaling a brand, and how artists can take control of their creations in an era of digital exposure and reproduction.A must-listen for artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in how IP intersects with art, identity, and brand building.More information at: https://www.4ipcouncil.com/podcast/creative-freedom-and-protection-business-street-art-53-szabotage

In this episode of IP Stories, we speak with Alexander Tsoukalis, founder and CEO of Micrel Medical Devices, about his journey from building a handmade prototype to leading an internationally recognized medtech innovator. Alexander shares how identifying real patient needs drove the development of smarter infusion pumps and safer drug delivery systems, and his journey discovering the importance of IP as a key tool for protecting innovation, attracting investors and competing with major players in the medical technology sector. The conversation also explores the challenges of navigating highly regulated healthcare markets, and the mindset innovators need to turn real-world problems into life-saving technologies.EPO Case Study: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://link.epo.org/elearning/sme_case_study_micrel_en.pdf

In this episode of IP Stories, we sit down with Inge Buffolo, Director of Business Development at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), to explore how intellectual property can become a real growth tool for small and medium-sized enterprises across Europe.From her early career as a telecommunications engineer to more than 20 years at EUIPO, Inge shares her journey through innovation, transformation, and public service. We dive deep into the origins and evolution of the SME Fund, the challenges SMEs face when navigating the IP system, and why speaking the language of entrepreneurs is essential to making IP accessible and effective.Inge also reflects on the power of collaboration — with national IP offices, EU institutions, and business networks — and explains how initiatives like Ideas Powered for Business, IP Scan, and IP-backed finance are helping thousands of micro and small companies protect their innovations and grow with confidence.A must-listen for entrepreneurs, policymakers, IP professionals, and anyone interested in strengthening Europe’s innovation ecosystem through smarter, more inclusive IP support.

In this episode of IP Stories, we speak with Álvaro Sáez, Co-founder and CEO of HechicerIA, Co-founder and CTO of Mettis AI and Shintek, and a strategic consultant in AI and creative technologies. Álvaro shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, gaming, computer vision, and audiovisual creation. We explore how generative AI and game engines are reshaping creative production, how startups can navigate copyright, data protection, and biometric privacy, and why trade secrets, patents, and continuous innovation all play a role in building defensible AI businesses. Álvaro also offers practical insights on aligning IP strategy with product design, investor expectations, and long-term competitiveness in fast-moving tech markets. This special episode marks the 50th chapter of IP Stories, and we are delighted to celebrate having already shared 50 stories from across the IP and innovation ecosystem.

In this episode of IP Stories, we sit down with Lyse Brillouet, Executive Vice-President of Research at Orange, to explore her multidisciplinary journey across business, technology, innovation, and intellectual property. Lyse shares how leadership and people management have shaped her career, and why she sees IP not just as protection, but as an enabler of innovation. She discusses Orange’s evolving approach to research, the role of standards and SEPs, the complexity of emerging technologies like AI and quantum, and how collaboration with startups, universities, and industry partners can thrive when IP is understood as a flexible, empowering tool.

In this episode of IP Stories, we’re joined by Tamar Gomez, co-founder of Ankar AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way innovators build, protect, and scale their ideas. Tamar explains how her background in economics and tech shaped her approach to entrepreneurship, and how Ankar AI empowers inventors, law firms, and corporates to make faster, smarter IP decisions. We also discuss how AI is transforming IP from a defensive tool into a true driver of innovation.

In this episode of IP Stories, we’re joined by Magali Touroude, founder of YesMyPatent, a firm helping startups and deep tech companies access strong, affordable patent strategies. Magali shares insights from her career, from working at L'Oréal to helping scale cutting-edge ventures, and explains why IP is critical to Europe’s competitiveness in the global innovation race. This is a must-listen for founders, policymakers, and anyone thinking about the future of IP in Europe.  Links of interest:https://www.yesmypatent.com/en/