Matthew Smith
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Articles by Matthew Smith
"Now and Later": Using Design Patents and Trade Dress to Maximize Protection for Product Designs
Two forms of intellectual property protection — design patents and trade dress— can offer distinct forms of protection for consumer products at different points in the product’s lifecycle. Timing can determine whether protection is available. Public disclosure before filing can jeopardize design patent rights, especially in foreign jurisdictions, and trade dress rights generally require marketplace recognition that develops over time. Businesses should plan early and revisit protection over time.
Many Europeans now see US as a threat to Europe
While people in the six largest European countries prioritise European autonomy over the US-Europe alliance, they are unwilling to take the steps needed to build Europe up as a rival power Key takeaways Survey conducted in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain Attitudes towards the USA again hit a new low 34-61% see the US as a major or moderate threat to Europe Europeans don’t think Europe is strong enough to stand up to the US in the event of a major quarrel; fewer than half...
Where do Western Europeans stand on Europe’s relationship with the USA?
Europeans are now more negative towards the US, and prefer to prioritise European autonomy over preserving the transatlantic alliance, but are they willing to make sacrifices in order to do so? While Donald Trump now appears to have accepted a largely symbolic territorial concession from Greenland, the recent spat over a potential American military operation to seize the island has thrown into stark relief Europe’s inability to stop the US president from doing something if he sets his mind to it.
Are Britons willing to rebuild UK national power?
Four in ten say it is “very important” to strengthen the UK’s ‘hard power’, but are they willing to do so if this meant tax rises or public services cuts?
More than four in ten Britons say student debt should be forgiven
Most Britons opposed to above-inflation rates of interest on student loans, and support harmonising rates Key takeaways 44% say the government should write off some or all student debt, including 55% of graduates Among those who support writing off at least some debt, 36% back writing it all off 68% of Britons see £9,000 a year tuition fees as too high 76% see interest rates of 6% as too high, and 53% say interest rates should be harmonised across all Plans 63% say taking a 9% cut of...
Where do Britons stand on Europe’s relationship with the USA?
With Donald Trump increasingly hostile towards Europe, how do Britons think we and our continental peers should react?
Most Britons think London is an unsafe place to live – Londoners disagree | YouGov
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
AI tools should not be allowed to make ‘undressed’ images, say Britons
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
Britons and the cost of living, January 2026
Net approval of the government’s handling of the cost of living reaches its lowest level since YouGov began tracking in October 2022 Key takeaways Cost of living tops the list of public concerns, at 54% 8% of Britons say the government is handling the cost of living well, while 85% say badly – a net score of -77, the lowest YouGov has recorded since tracking began in Oct 2022 Public are divided on whether Labour or Tories more to blame for crisis Government’s failure to take strong action is...
Britons disapprove of US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, split on government response
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
Where do Europeans stand on the war in Ukraine at the end of 2025?
The continent is divided in whether to keep supporting Ukraine or encouraging a negotiated peace, and suspect Donald Trump wants Russia to win While talks continue to drag on over how to bring the war in Ukraine to a close, there seems to have been fresh impetus for securing an end to the fighting lately. Last month saw Donald Trump release a 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine, followed in turn by a counter-proposal from Britain, France and Germany.
Britons support trail hunting ban by 50% to 29%
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
Europeans and Americans say state pension systems are unaffordable – but don’t support reform options | YouGov
The majority in all countries also say that their national state pension is not generous enough Key takeaways A new YouGov survey of six major European countries (Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain), as well as the USA, looks at attitudes towards state pension systems Half or more in each country (49-66%) think the state pension system will be unaffordable by the time people currently in their 30s and 40s retire; 32-61% think it already is But most people in all countries...
What New Year’s resolutions are Britons making for 2026?
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
What do Europeans think about immigration?
There are significant differences in attitudes towards ‘illegal’ and ‘legal’ migrants Key takeaways New YouGov research looks at attitudes in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark and Poland In the major Western European nations surveyed, there is a tendency to believe that there are more illegal than legal migrants staying in their country Approximately half in each country surveyed (45-53%) support a scenario where not only are no new migrants permitted, but large numbers of recent...
Half of workers still working from home at least some of the time in 2025
One in five say their employers’ policies have reduced the number of days they can work from home in the last two years Key takeaways 14% of workers in Britain say they work from home all of the time, 35% some of the time, and 51% never 72% of workers say they want to work from home at least some of the time 19% say employers have reduced WFH allowances in the last two years 69% of Britons have a favourable opinion of allowing people to work from home Despite the scepticism of bosses and the...
English-speaking Western countries more negative about AI than Western Europeans
An international YouGov study shows national publics differ greatly in their assessments on the impact that AI has had so far Key takeaways Survey conducted in nine countries – Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and USA – finds those in Anglosphere nations more negative about AI Majorities in most countries say that more jobs will be lost to AI than will be created Publics are most positive about the impact of AI on healthcare, and on day-to-day leisure and...
Jury service leaves Britons with positive opinion of justice system
Those who have already served on a jury are more likely than the wider public to say they would rather do than avoid jury service, and trust a jury rather than a judge with deciding their guilt Key takeaways 23% of Britons say they have been called for jury duty, including 12% who say they ended up on a case that went all the way through to delivering a verdict 60% say their jury service made them feel positively about the criminal justice system in Britain Jurors are more likely to say they...
How have Britons reacted to the 2025 Budget?
While the government may have protected themselves by dropping their income tax plans, the public reaction to the Budget has still been negative Key takeaways Only 11% think Rachel Reeves doing a good job as chancellor, with just 15% saying the government is handling the economy well A mere 3% say economy is in a good state, with 67% saying it will get worse over next 12 months Britons see Budget as unfair rather than fair (48% vs 21%) and unaffordable rather than affordable (22%) This...
Can the UK’s financial problems be fixed solely by taxing the rich?
Most Labour and Green voters think they can Key takeaways By 42% to 35%, Britons think the UK’s financial issues can realistically be fixed without raising the taxes that ordinary people pay Britons are split 41-43% on whether or not the public finances and public services can be fixed solely by increasing taxes on the rich Most Labour and Green voters say taxing the rich is all that is necessary Most Britons think we would raise more money increasing tax on the super-rich than think we would...
Race, heritage, and British / English identity: what do white and ethnic minority adults in England think?
A YouGov study examines how attitudes to British and English identity differ among white and ethnic minority adults in England Back in February, former home secretary Suella Braverman penned a column in the Telegraph entitled “I will never be truly English”.
How far does the public support net zero?
While six in ten Britons support net zero, there is much more limited public appetite for the kinds of policies that would help achieve it Key takeaways 60% of Britons support net zero Plurality say government is not doing enough on cutting carbon emissions, and only 2% think the government will reach net zero by 2050 However, even among net zero supporters, backing for major carbon reduction policies is often limited Majority of net zero supporters say action on cost of living is a greater...
Do Britons support the return of corporal and capital punishment?
YouGov survey examines public desire to bring back historic punishments Key takeaways A minority support bringing back the stocks (21%) and flogging (17%) More Britons support reintroducing capital punishment (50%) than oppose (45%) Reform and Conservative voters are more in favour of bringing back these punishments than Labour, Lib Dems and Greens Most think the death penalty would be effective at reducing future crime In the last few months, two high profile figures have called for the...
How well do Britons feel represented in advertising?
Reform UK voters are the least likely to feel represented across five personal attributes Key takeaways Following Sarah Pochin row, 27% of white Britons say they don’t feel well represented in adverts in terms of their race 51% of ethnic minority Britons say they don’t feel well represented in adverts in terms of their race 41% of Britons think representation in adverts has “gone too far” Reform UK voters are most likely to say so, and the most likely voting group to say they feel...
What do Britons think should be the punishment for crimes?
The public give tougher sentences than the justice system A new YouGov survey looks at what sentences the public would give for 15 crimes, how that compares to actual sentencing, and how the views of voters and other social groups differ. At the most serious end of the list of crimes we asked about, fully 82% of Britons think that murder should receive a prison sentence of more than 20 years.
What tax reforms would Britons support?
A wealth tax tops the list of measures the public would back Given the parlous state of the UK finances, Labour’s 2024 manifesto commitment to not raise taxes that working people pay is making life hard for the government. Recent YouGov data shows that only 14% of Britons would support an increase in VAT, while 22% apiece back increases in national insurance or the basic rate of income tax. The public are divided 42-43% on increasing the higher rate of income tax.
Britons split on the banning of Palestine Action
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
Almost half of Britons think too many young people go to university
Similarly, almost half of Britons say an apprenticeship prepares young people better for the future than a degree does At Labour conference this year, Keir Starmer announced that two thirds of British children should either go to university or take on a gold standard apprenticeship. The announcement is part of an ongoing shift in political prominence from advocating traditional academia to a much wider post-18 education approach encompassing skills training linked to jobs.
What do parents say about misogyny among boys and young men?
Mothers and fathers tend to see misogyny as being an issue – but not at their own child’s school Adolescence was in many ways a show aimed at parents, who ultimately may have the most power to address emerging issues with boys.
Young men, masculinity and misogyny
A major new YouGov survey questions the extent to which the attitudes of young men towards women are different to their elders Attitudes of young men in British society have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, with fears prompted about the popularity of misogynist figures like Andrew Tate on social media, and more recently by hit Netflix drama Adolescence.
What do Britons really think about leaving the ECHR?
The public are opposed to withdrawing from the Convention by 46% to 29% Earlier this week Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch announced that the Tories would bring the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) should they win the next election. Badenoch and others have blamed the ECHR for preventing greater levels of migrant deportations, with Reform UK having likewise made the pledge in their 2024 election manifesto as part of their “Stop the Boats” plan.
Should there be national service for Boomers?
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
Two years into the Gaza conflict, record numbers of Britons say Israeli action is not justified
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
Do Britons think paracetamol is safe for pregnant women, following Donald Trump’s claims?
The large majority of Britons see paracetamol as safe, and few of those who don’t cite Trump or autism as a reason why Last week saw Donald Trump claim a link between the use of painkiller Tylenol (a brand name for paracetamol) by pregnant women and an increased risk of autism in some children. The scientific consensus rejects the president’s view, and here in the UK the NHS reiterated its recommendation .
How do Green Party members feel about the party, its leaders, and seeking power?
New YouGov poll of Green Party of England and Wales members also explores what issues are important to members, and where they stand on issues like climate change, housing, and trans rights During the course of mid-August, YouGov conducted a poll of Green members in the backdrop of that month's leadership election, subsequently weighting the data to reflect the result of that election.
Would Andy Burnham be a better prime minister than Keir Starmer?
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
What do Britons really think about scrapping indefinite leave to remain?
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
What is Britain’s favourite sitcom?
Younger generations are more likely to name an American sitcom as their top choice Friday marks the 50th anniversary of the first time that Fawlty Towers hit British screens. In honour of the occasion, a new YouGov survey asks the public: what is your favourite sitcom? Given the list of sitcoms is enormous, we provided a box in which Brits could write down their favoured answer, with 54% telling us that they had a favourite.
Two thirds of students in England and Wales say university is poor value for money
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
How do Britons feel about the 2025 Trump state visit?
Almost half say it was wrong to issue the invitation, and only a quarter think it will improve UK-US relations With Donald Trump set to arrive in the UK today on Air Force One, what do the British public make of the visit, Trump himself, and his impact on the UK? New YouGov/Sky figures show that half of Britons (45%) think that it was wrong to invite Trump to come for a second state visit, compared to 30% who think it was the right move.
How are UK students really using AI?
Two thirds of all undergraduate home students say they ever use AI, and one in seven have engaged in potentially cheating behaviour With the rise of AI language models like ChatGPT causing disruptions across society, one area of concern has been how they will affect education, particularly higher education, where there is significant potential for students to use the tools to cheat at coursework.
Where is it acceptable to bring dogs and children?
Last year, the Lower Red Lion pub in Fishpool Street went viral for displaying a sign outside declaring the pub to be both “dog-friendly” and “child-free”. Speaking about the policy, landlord David Worcester said: "I have no objection to children in any other pub, ever, I just don't want them in mine.” "I just want to create an environment where my customers can sit and relax, it only takes one child to kick off and that spoils it for absolutely everybody.
One in seven Britons turned to private healthcare in the last 12 months
Skip to main content Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
One in eight young people say they are choked by their partner during sex
Grasping a partner by the throat during sex, without choking them, is even more widespread among under-thirties In recent years, commentators have raised concern about choking during sex among young people. Such commenters – including TV’s Lorraine Kelly – are somewhat older than Gen Z (the oldest of whom are now in their mid-to-late-20s) so what do young Britons think of the practice?
EuroTrack: Britons take most negative view of train services
Britons, Danes, French and Spaniards all more likely to see domestic rail travel as expensive than domestic air travel The state of public transport is a perennial grumble in many parts of the world, with frustrated and delayed users often expecting that the grass is greener on the other side of the continent. But is that the case? A new YouGov EuroTrack survey compares attitudes across Western Europe to rail services, as well as other forms of public transport.
Eight in ten Britons say the UK is in a bad state
Four in ten say the same of their local area There has been much recent discourse on whether or not the UK is worse now than it was in the past. On the one hand, politicians like Tory MP Neil O’Brien are raising the alarm about the deterioration of the country. On the other hand, writers such as Fraser Nelson and Janan Ganesh argue that such perceptions are wide of the mark. So where does public opinion stand?
Where do Britons stand on Ukraine ahead of the Trump-Putin peace meeting in Alaska?
Fewer Britons expect a peace deal is likely than did so earlier this year Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska tomorrow to discuss a potential resolution to the Ukraine war. While the US president has threatened “very severe consequences” if his Russian counterpart doesn’t agree to a ceasefire, there are concerns that Trump is willing to force Ukraine to accept a deal that heavily favours Russia.
Royal family favourability trackers, August 2025
Two thirds of Britons want the UK to continue to have a monarchy With a new book making “explosive” claims about Prince Andrew, including that he knew Jeffrey Epstein for a decade longer than he has previously claimed, that compromising material on the Duke of York may be possessed by foreign intelligence services, and that he was given a bloody nose during an altercation with Prince Harry, the latest YouGov royal favourability tracker finds Andrew at the bottom of the table once again.
Is there public support for large-scale removals of migrants?
Public attitudes towards immigration are heavily influenced by the belief that most migration to the UK is 'illegal’ Polling on immigration typically focusses on attitudes towards the level of new arrivals. But polls rarely cover another possibility of public opinion – that not only do people want immigration highly curtailed, but that they might also want to see large-scale removals of migrants.
What do Britons consider a high and low number of sexual partners to be?
Public Data Explore YouGov's freely accessible data Discover our public data, featuring a diverse range of survey results, articles, trackers and popularity rankings. From the latest political surveys to in-depth analysis, find out what the world thinks. All Topics Elections Discover Key Insights on the UK General Election 2024 The most timely, and relevant polling, trends and analysis on elections.
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