US IP Law – A Look At The Year Ahead 11/01/2018 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In the coming year, one US Supreme Court case promises to dominate developments in America’s IP law. The upcoming decision in Oil States Energy Services v. Greene’s Energy Group could have major ramifications for patents, copyrights, trademarks, and the USPTO. But even as that case steals the limelight, 2018 could bring other significant changes to America’s IP law. Here are some of the key developments to watch for.
Top IP-Watch Stories Of 2017: What Do They Tell Us About Multilateral IP Policy? 04/01/2018 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment What IP-Watch stories were readers reading most in 2017, and what does it say about the state of global intellectual property policy? In this article, we look at the most-trafficked stories of last year, and make a few assumptions. Asia, Europe, trade, health. These were the top targets of interest to readers among our offerings. Interestingly, despite all the sound and fury in Washington, our coverage there was not at the top of the list. Even more interestingly, neither was our extensive and world-leading coverage of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
South Africa’s Push For Knowledge-Based Economy Through IP 03/01/2018 by Munyaradzi Makoni for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment CAPE TOWN, South Africa – “If you want to create a knowledge-based economy and be part of it, be players not observers. There isn’t a stronger backbone than having an understanding of what IP is.” This statement was made by Mmboneni Muofhe, Department of Science and Technology (DST) deputy director general for technology and innovation, at the ninth Intellectual Property Summer School held at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in December. The meeting brought together students, lawyers, scientists and different professionals drawn from Africa and other parts of the developing world for a ten-day intensive programme in intellectual property.
A Canadian Billionaire’s Mysterious Death And The Effect On Access To Medicines 20/12/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The mysterious death last week of Canadian billionaire Barry Sherman and his wife has raised many questions. For some, one question is what impact it will have on pharmaceutical competition in Canada, as his giant generic medicines company Apotex was seen as making a mark in access to medicines. It was also recalled that the company is the only one to have used an obscure provision of a World Trade Organization intellectual property agreement aimed at making more affordable medicines available in least developed countries.
Starbucks Trademark Dispute Brewing Over Bull Pulu Tapioca Logo 18/12/2017 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has rejected an opposition from Starbucks to trademark registration no. 5897739 for the green-and white “BULL PULU TAPIOCA” concentric circle logo with a puppy white bull dog in the center, writes Masaki Mikami.
Intellectual Property Rights In Trade – To Be Rethought? 15/12/2017 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment After two decades of intellectual property regimes in trade agreements, one could have some second thoughts, according to a number of panellists at the Trade and Sustainable Development Symposium, organised by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and held alongside the 11th World Trade Organization Ministerial in Buenos Aires, Argentina this week.
Obviousness In The Wake Of Arendi 15/12/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Since the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in Arendi S.A.R.L. v. Apple Inc. last August,[1] many patent commentators have asserted that the decision marked a significant change in the analysis of obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103, especially as a weakening of single-reference obviousness grounds. Notwithstanding this decision, petitioners and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board have continued to rely on single-reference obviousness to assert and find that claims are obvious, write Amy Simpson and Kyle Canavera.
WIPO Gives Overview Of Its Legislative Assistance To Developing Countries 14/12/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization provides legislative assistance to countries upon request. This week during the meeting of the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents, the secretariat explained how WIPO provides this legislative assistance. This followed a 2015 proposal to revise WIPO’s 1979 Model Law for developing countries on inventions. The proposal was not accepted by developed countries concerned over the extent of the task, and some pointing out that WIPO is delivering more effective tailored legislative assistance.
Analysis: As Biosimilar Of Key Cancer Drug Spreads, Where Is The Price Reduction? 11/12/2017 by Tatum Anderson for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The first biosimilar of the blockbuster breast cancer drug trastuzumab is being prepared for launch in United States, following a decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve it earlier this month. The product, Ogivri, has been created by a joint venture between US Mylan and Indian company Biocon.
International Labour Organization Orders Reinstatement Of EPO Appeals Judge 06/12/2017 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments In an extraordinary 6 December session, the UN International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT) handed down five decisions involving the European Patent Office (EPO), one of which reinstated a suspended Board of Appeals judge. The cases are just “the tip of the iceberg,” said the Staff Union of the EPO (SUEPO).