CJEU Removes Threat Hanging Over Internet Users 06/06/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Thanks to the latest ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on a long-standing copyright case, millions of internet users across the EU can keep calm and carry on browsing websites.
Dutch Supreme Court Allows Evidentiary Seizures In All Civil Cases 05/06/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In civil litigation, obtaining the necessary evidence to substantiate a claim can be rather challenging. This can be particularly problematic if the required evidence is in the possession of the opposing party or even a third party. In the Netherlands, this problem is strengthened by the fact that the concept of US style discovery or UK style disclosure does not exist. Levying evidentiary seizures could therefore be a powerful tool, say two Dutch-based attorneys.
Libraries Can Digitise Books Without Consent, European Advocate General Says 05/06/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Libraries can digitise individual books in their collections without the consent of rights holders, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice, Niilo Jääskinen, has written in his application in a case (C-117/13) pending at the Luxembourg Court.
Patentees Suffer Double Loss At US Supreme Court 02/06/2014 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Supreme Court issued two important patent law decisions recently. Both unanimous rulings provided bad news to patentees, particularly patent trolls.
South African Trade Minister Davies: Election Result May Mean Fast Action On IP Policy 29/05/2014 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual property pundits have welcomed South African President Jacob Zuma’s decision to retain Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies in the position following South Africa’s May general elections. And Davies in an interview this week signalled that completing the national intellectual property policy may be a top priority.
US High Court Opens Door To More (And Older) Copyright Suits 20/05/2014 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Music, movie, and television companies suffered a major defeat yesterday, when the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The ruling will lead to a flood of new copyright infringement suits against these content companies, according to many experts. And content companies may not be the only losers.
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.
IP-Watch Subscribers – Updated List Of IP Delegates In Geneva 13/05/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch and Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Geneva IP delegates list is updated! As a special feature for our subscribers, Intellectual Property Watch has assembled a new list of many of the leading government delegates working on intellectual property issues in Geneva.
What’s Next For Patent Trolls After US Supreme Court? More Risk, For Sure 30/04/2014 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Supreme Court yesterday issued two rulings that were bad news for patent assertion entities, or “patent trolls”. Thanks to these decisions, trolls and other patentees could be on the hook for millions in fees whenever they bring frivolous patent infringement suits.
Fordham IP Event A Firehose Of Current IP Legal, Policy Debates 28/04/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK – The annual Fordham Law School IP Law and Policy Conference held last week offered an intensive two days of in-depth legal issues in intellectual property, with a mix of perspectives from representatives of intergovernmental organisations, governments, courts, industry, and a smattering of public interest advocates.