Work-Sharing Between Patent Offices: Key To Reducing Backlog, Or Harmonisation Threat? 05/11/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Quality of patents is an issue that has been repeatedly discussed at the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on patent law, which is meeting this week.
Limitations And Exceptions To Patent Rights Discussed In WIPO Committee 04/11/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization patent law committee this week is addressing a range of issues including patent quality, technology transfer for medicine production, limitations and exceptions to patents, and the confidentiality of communications between clients and their patent advisors.
European Commission Holds Consultation On Patents And Standards 29/10/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Commission Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry is gathering stakeholder input on standardisation and intellectual property rights, in order to assess the current framework on patents and standard and look at how it should evolve. Standard-setting cuts across many organisations at the national, European and international levels. Views are being sought until January 2015.
USPTO Director-Nominee Lee Calls For ‘Responsible Stewardship’ Of Patent System 23/10/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment In perhaps her first big speech since being nominated by President Obama to head the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Michelle Lee today told an industry meeting today to use the patent system responsibly and with balance. The agency is embarking on a new global effort to streamline processes and improve quality. And for the first time in a long time, she said, USPTO has the financial resources to do it.
Little-Known Case May Dramatically Change US Patent System 22/10/2014 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The patent case recently argued before the US Supreme Court is relatively unknown, and for good reason. It involves no exciting new technology. It has no controversial patent claims (e.g., covering human genes). However, Teva Pharms. USA v. Sandoz, Inc. could produce major changes in America’s patent system.
US Cracking Down On Software Patents 01/10/2014 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The US courts are aggressively applying the ruling. So is the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Thanks to their common interpretation of the US Supreme Court’s recent decision in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank, it is now open season on software patents.
WIPO Amends Patent Cooperation Treaty Fee Schedule 29/09/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Intellectual Property Organization members have approved an amendment to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) aimed at lowering fees for a greater number of users.
Countries Begin Push To Reduce Differences In Patent Laws 26/09/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Some of the leading patent-filing nations this week renewed an effort to harmonise procedures for filing patents in their national offices. Image Credits: Eric Bridiers, US Mission
Patent Landscape For Hepatitis Issued By WHO 26/09/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization has published an analysis of the patent situation for new hepatitis treatments, and a call for possible pharmaceutical products for prequalification.
Panellists Discuss Value Of Patent Pooling For HIV/AIDS, Potential For Other Diseases 25/09/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A side event to this week’s World Intellectual Property Organization annual General Assembly highlighted the work of the Geneva-based Medicines Patent Pool in fighting HIV/AIDS, and discussed whether it makes sense for the patent pool model to be extended to other diseases.