EU Extends Copyright Protection From 50 To 70 Years 12/09/2011 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 10 Comments Over the objections of eight countries, ministers from the European Union on Monday extended copyright protection for performers and record producers from 50 to 70 years. The move brought cheers from the recording industry and copyright royalty collecting societies, but doubts from some governments and jeers from a major consumer group.
Patent Reform Passes US Senate, Makes History; Obama to Sign: IP-Watch Analysis Shows Who Wins 09/09/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Senate on Thursday passed historic patent reform legislation – but not before some heated debate on the chamber’s floor. It now goes to President Obama for his signature. Intellectual Property Watch offers a look at who wins and what will now change.
Senate Takes Up Patent Reform; Chairman Vows To Fight Amendments 07/09/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Senate on Tuesday was debating patent reform legislation that would make the first significant reforms to the US patent system in nearly 60 years.
Myriad Outcome: Winds Shift Again For Gene Patenting In The US 02/08/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments In a long-awaited decision, a United States federal appeals court has decided that US companies can patent breast cancer genes, reversing a previous ruling. The decision was not unanimous, with one of the three judges dissenting. But despite the attention the case has received, the ruling may have little impact on the biotechnology industry, according to analysts.
A Glance At Current Patent Litigation In India 29/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The third amendment of Patents Act 1970, in 2005, was a major breakthrough for Indian IP practice in patents. The current crop of judicial decisions, discussed in this note, has initiated the need to have a critical mass of judicial precedents streamlining law and rules governing patent practice in India, writes Kamakhya Srivastava.
Interview With Chief Judge Paul R. Michel On US Patent Reform 14/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 7 Comments Chief Judge Paul R. Michel (Ret.), of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, saw hundreds of patent cases during his distinguished career and has a unique position from which to view and offer advice on efforts in the US Senate and House of Representatives to agree on changes to domestic patent law. Intellectual Property Watch recently had the opportunity to interview Judge Michel on prospects for substantive patent reform in the US, the effect on future cases involving domestic and foreign patents, likely constitutional challenges, and the “non-problem” of non-practicing entities.
Does Introduction Of A Utility Model Protection Regime Make Sense In India? 13/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments India has at least seven diverse intellectual property (IP) legislations related to protection already in place. Its focus should therefore arguably be directed – along the lines of many other IP jurisdictions – on more stringent enforcement modus operandi of the IP rights. Is there scope for introducing yet another IP legislation – the utility model protection law – in the Indian IP landscape and if so, what should be its scope and implication, asks Swarup Kumar.
Special Report: A Quick Summary Of The New US Supreme Court Decisions On Patents 24/06/2011 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment For the past ten years, the United States Supreme Court has steadily chipped away at patent rights. But this term, the court abruptly reversed direction. In two weeks, the high court issued rulings in three patent cases, and in every one upheld the legal rights of inventors. It is unclear, however, how big a win this really was for patent rights.
EFF: Judge Dismisses Copyright “Troll” Case 15/06/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A US judge ruled yesterday that copyright “troll” Righthaven lacked legal authorisation to bring an infringement lawsuit because it did not have ownership of the copyright in question, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The case could have an impact on the future prospects of so-called copyright troll cases, EFF said.
Outgoing US Commerce Chief Backs House Patent Reform Bill, Nearly 31/05/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Outgoing United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today gave near-complete approval of legislation to reform US patent law which is awaiting action in the House of Representatives.