IP-Watch Spotlight: WIPO Lex, Database Of Global IP Systems 14/08/2014 by Angela Garcia Medina for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment WIPO Lex is a publicly available online database under the World Intellectual Property Organization providing streamlined access to the intellectual property systems of almost 200 jurisdictions. The database now features over 12,000 legal texts, some 600 treaties and is operational in six languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish. Intellectual Property Watch takes a look at this resource.
Harmonising Protection Of Black And White Trademarks In The EU 28/05/2014 by Angela Garcia Medina for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The intellectual property offices of the European Union, in their commitment to harmonise practices, recently published a Common Communication establishing a common practice on the scope of protection given to black and white trademarks in the EU.
Reforms To Spanish Patent Law Promote Filings At National Level 14/05/2014 by Angela Garcia Medina for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment On 11 April 2014, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a draft law reforming the current Spanish Patent Law of 1986. The reform aims to reconcile the regulation with the international framework, strengthen the Spanish patent system and make it easier and faster to obtain solid patent titles in Spain. It contains a few notable changes.
EU Trademark Case Leads To Rules On Use Of Nice Classification 10/04/2014 by Angela Garcia Medina for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The perhaps underestimated list of goods or services that applicants file with their trademark applications play an essential role in defining the protection the trademark will have. Registrars use this list to determine if an application should be refused and if it limits a trademark’s exclusive rights. The goods or services listed in an application can also motivate oppositions from competitors with prior rights or cause the future cancellation of the trademark. A recent trademark case in the European Union calls into attention the need for authorities to establish clear, predictable rules to identify goods and services in trademark systems. Further, the case highlights why it is important for applicants to carefully consider which goods or services they wish to protect and clearly identify them in an application.