Oppositions Filed Against Gilead Hepatitis C Patent Applications In India20/07/2018 by Gaensly Joseph for Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsOppositions have been filed in India against two patent applications from US pharmaceutical company Gilead for important hepatitis C medicines, according to non-governmental sources. The opposition filings assert that these applications are “evergreening” patents and therefore violate Indian patent law.
Central Banks Consider Blockchain-Based Digital Currency At ITU Meeting20/07/2018 by David Branigan for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentNEW YORK – The UN International Telecommunication Union’s Digit Fiat Currency (ITU-DFC) Focus Group is meeting in New York this week to consider the potential promise and pitfalls of central bank-issued digital currency.
Dangers Of Means Plus Function Limitations In US Patent Prosecution19/07/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentBroad patent protection is one of the goals when securing patent protection for inventions (i.e., new products and services). However, issues start to arise when the claim language becomes too broad. For example, broad claims might be construed as a means plus function limitation against the intentions of the patent prosecutor, and in some cases, those patents are invalidated as being indefinite. At least, this is the case with US patent prosecution. The patent laws of other jurisdictions treat means plus function style of claiming differently, and in my experience, less detrimental to the validity of the patent, writes James Yang.
WIPO Looks At Importance Of Standards Documents, Collaboration Of IP Offices And Standards Organisations18/07/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentCommon standards are essential for technologies, particularly for interoperability. However, a number of technologies essential to standards are patented, which has created issues relating to licensing or high royalties. Last week, the World Intellectual Property Organization organised an information session on patents and standards, including aspects of patent quality, issues relating to international trade, and the role of the organisation in facilitating the relationship between patents and standards.
Global Innovation Divide: Can Investment In Innovation Bridge The Gap?17/07/2018 by David Branigan for Intellectual Property Watch and William New 1 CommentThe Global Innovation Index 2018, launched on 10 July in New York, has lauded the rise of China as a model for how other low and middle-income economies can advance on innovation. Amid this optimism, however, the global innovation divide remains in step with the global income divide, raising questions for how to bridge this gap. The new index shows signs of progress.
(Video) Europe’s Innovation Renaissance, China’s ‘Astonishing’ Rise: Global Innovation Index 201817/07/2018 by David Branigan for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentEuropean countries led by Switzerland are experiencing an “innovation renaissance,” this year’s Global Innovation Index shows, while the scale of China’s rise in the index is “quite astonishing,” Sacha Wunsch-Vincent, senior economic officer at the World Intellectual Property Organization, says in a short video interview with Intellectual Property Watch.
Albania Introduces New Trademark Regulation17/07/2018 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentA new trademark regulation entered into force in Albania on June 7, 2018, clarifying a range of issues raised by the changes to the Albanian Industrial Property Law in force as of March 24, 2017. Some of the most significant changes and clarifications concern the following:
Outcome Of ITU Global Regulators Symposium: Interview With Brahima Sanou16/07/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentHeads of national information and telecommunications regulatory authorities gathered in Geneva for an annual symposium, and agreed on global best practice guidelines for the new digital ecosystem. After the meeting, Brahima Sanou, head of the UN International Telecommunication Union Development Bureau answered Intellectual Property Watch on the outcome of the meeting, and topics such as privacy and the digital divide.
Balance Achieved In Future Work For WIPO Patent Law Committee, Delegates Say13/07/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe last World Intellectual Property Organization committee before the summer break ended on a happy note this week. After some time spent tweaking the future work of the WIPO committee on the law of patents, delegates appeared satisfied with the balance achieved. The week saw plans for conferences, numerous new proposals and calls for reports, on subjects such as research exceptions, patents and medicines access, compulsory licensing, technology transfer, and patent quality.
Deadline Looms For Comments On New Clauses In South African Copyright Amendment Bill13/07/2018 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentSouth Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry in Parliament has published a list of select clauses of the Copyright Amendment Bill for public comment. The deadline for comments is 18 July.
