Previewing CIPA Congress 2026

Send us Fan MailTo celebrate this milestone, Lee Davies and Gwilym Roberts take a step away from the usual guest interviews to reflect on the journey behind Two IPs in a Pod. From its beginnings during lockdown to recording in pubs, conference halls and unexpected locations, they share the stories, memorable guests, favourite moments and behind-the-scenes mishaps that have shaped the podcast.They also look back at some of the standout conversations, reflect on how the IP profession has evolved and discuss what they'd like to see from the podcast in the future.Whether you've listened from the very beginning or are discovering the podcast for the first time, join us for a special 200th episode celebrating the people, stories and conversations that make Two IPs in a Pod what it is today.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we speak to Mitch Rosenfeld, CEO of Equip IP Management, about the evolving non-practising entity (NPE) business model, patent licensing and the changing landscape of patent enforcement, including the growing interest in the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and the challenges of US patent litigation. In the second part, we’re joined by Jamie Jia Mei Soon-Kesteloot, an IP strategist with a background in nanotechnology, to explore why effective IP strategy must align with business objectives, the role of initiatives such as the LOT Network, and the importance of communicating the value of intellectual property to business leaders and investors.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Two IPs in a Pod, hosts Lee Davies and Gwilym Roberts speak with Tim Alexander Oelmann from Deutsche Telekom about managing intellectual property at scale. They explore how to encourage innovation, capture inventions early, build effective patent portfolios and navigate standard essential patents. Tim also shares insights into inventor engagement, ethical patent monetisation and how AI can streamline IP management.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, recorded at Oktoberfest 2026, hosts Lee Davies and Gwilym Roberts are joined first by Anna Heindler from Roche, who shares insights into strategic IP management, the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and the opportunities and limitations of AI in patent search and infringement detection. This is followed by Tim Pohlmann from LexisNexis, who explores standard essential patents (SEPs), patent risks associated with connected medical devices, and the challenges of global patent litigation and licensing.

Send us Fan MailRecorded at BMW Welt in Munich last year, hosts Lee Davies and Gwilym Roberts are joined by Ken from LOT Network and Luiza from Aumovio to explore the latest developments in the Unified Patent Court (UPC), growing concerns around non-practising entities (NPEs), and the evolving patent risks facing the automotive industry.They discuss how connected technologies and software-defined vehicles are changing the IP landscape, and what in-house teams need to know to manage risk and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Send us Fan MailListen to our special CIPA Elections Podcast, featuring Gwilym Roberts and Debbie Slater, as they introduce themselves as prospective Presidents for 2028.Hosted by Lee Davies, CIPA Chief Executive, the podcast gives members the opportunity to hear directly from Gwilym and Debbie about their experience within CIPA and the wider profession, their priorities, and their perspectives on the future of the Institute.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Two IPs in a Pod, Lee Davies and Gwilym Roberts are joined by Eamon Chawke, an IP lawyer whose career has taken him from financial and commercial law into intellectual property and ultimately to becoming a co-owner of boutique IP firm Briffa. Eamon shares his journey into IP and his commitment to making intellectual property more accessible to creatives and small businesses, discussing everything from trademarks, designs and contracts to brand disputes and bullying. The conversation also explores how Brexit and COVID created new opportunities for businesses and brands, and how the role of an IP lawyer is evolving as social media, PR, data protection, AI and datasets become increasingly important to clients. 

Send us Fan MailIn this special preview episode, Gwilym Roberts is joined by Alexandra Collingwood-Pierce and Greg Corcoran to look ahead to CIPA Congress 2026. Together, they explore the key issues shaping this year’s programme, from sustainable IP and AI to regulation, commercialisation and the changing global landscape of innovation. They also discuss what attendees can expect from the Manchester programme and why this year’s Congress is about more than CPD. It is a chance to explore the future of the patent profession and the issues that will shape it. 

Send us Fan MailIn another Pubcast from the archives, Lee and Gwilym chat with Matthew Ridley about what happens when a system built for speed meets modern online marketplace takedowns, where a registration number can trigger removals that feel like an instant injunction.We start with the human side, discussing how Matt found the patent attorney profession, what the UK exams taught him compared with the EQEs, and why design work can be such a mental shift from patents. From there, we move into the policy work Matt does as chair of CIPA’s Designs and Copyright Committee, including why Brexit-era changes pulled practitioners closer to UKIPO engagement.The heart of the conversation is the current UK design law tension, where minimal examination keeps registered designs accessible, but also leaves the register open to weak or bad-faith filings. We talk through practical reforms that keep costs low while reducing abuse, and the controversial topic of criminal sanctions.If you care about UK intellectual property, design protection, UK IPO practice, and the real-world impact of enforcement tools online, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.

Send us Fan MailThis episode has been pulled from the archive of the 2025 Pubcast which, thanks to the help of AI, has been salavaged into something listenable!Theme music is a vital part of every podcast you listen to every single week, so it has to do more than fill silence! Lee and Gwilym sit down with Gwilym's son, Billy Roberts - the person behind our intro, and ask him to show us how it’s actually made.We get into the real craft of DIY music production in Logic Pro and GarageBand: layering multiple guitar takes, stacking piano and string parts, using MIDI instruments that sound surprisingly “real,” and shaping harmony. The conversation returns to what we can’t ignore on an intellectual property podcast: copyright and licensing for commissioned music. If someone makes your podcast theme tune, who owns it, what rights are implied, and what happens when a friendly favor turns into something valuable? If you care about podcast branding, original intro music, music production workflow, and the IP basics that protect creators and hosts, you’ll get a lot out of this one.