US Supreme Court To Examine Outsized Infringement Damages28/09/2016 By Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentPatent infringers are supposed to pay damages, but the award in this case struck many as ridiculous. Some Samsung smartphones contained one or two purely decorative design elements that had been patented by Apple. But instead of paying modest damages for what many see as a tiny infringement, Samsung was ordered to pay $399 million – all the profits the company had made from its infringing phones. The Federal Circuit said it had no choice but to approve those damages; it was constrained by statute. Critics, however, said that the Federal Circuit had misinterpreted the statute. They fret the court’s error will unleash a wave of design patent infringement suits that will harm innovation, stifle competition, and empower patent trolls. Which is why so many will be paying close attention on 11 October, when this dispute comes before the US Supreme Court.
Regional Trade Agreements Address Issues Missed By Multilateralism, Speakers Say28/09/2016 By Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentAlthough regional trade agreements are increasing, there is no hiding the fact that they are meeting rising resistance from the public and are difficult to negotiate. At the World Trade Organization Public Forum this week, an industry panel sought to explore how trade agreements could be linked to the WTO process, and if elements of those agreements could be taken on at the multilateral level.
WEF On Competitiveness: Openness In Decline, Push In Innovation, Tech Needed28/09/2016 By Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe world is seeing a decline in openness in economies, the World Economic Forum said in its new Global Competitiveness Report 2016 – 2017. But WEF sees an increased role for technology, innovation and business sophistication. And the most competitive nation in the world? Switzerland again.
Despite Ongoing Efforts, USPTO Still Faces Patent Quality Issues16/09/2016 By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments
Intergovernmental Organisations Swap Notes On Working For Inclusive Trade28/09/2016 By Peter Kenny for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment
WTO Public Forum Opens Against Gloomy Global Trade Perspectives27/09/2016 By Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment
WIPO Traditional Knowledge: Text Passes Committee Approval, Goes To Next Session23/09/2016 By Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment
