WIPO Members Discuss Patent Quality, Public Health, Exceptions 17/05/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Intellectual Property Organization members this week are discussing potential new policies on patent law related to patent quality, patents and health, and exceptions and limitations to patents.
Patent Licensing Experts Share Lessons Learned In Making Deals 16/05/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK – Experts at a recent conference on licensing revealed some of the behind the scenes thinking within industry on how to do great deals and keep from getting burned.
Developing Countries Need Help To Get Research Results Patented, IP Proponent Says 10/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Developing countries are not taking advantage of discoveries made by their scientists and researchers because they lack an appropriate intellectual property infrastructure and expertise, according to a long-time United States proponent of IP rights speaking in Geneva last week. He called for development funds to be redirected to address these shortcomings rather than only supporting IP enforcement initiatives.
Extra Time For Japanese Patent Filers 09/05/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Patent offices in developed and developing countries answered a call from the Japan Patent Office for “bail-out measures” for Japanese patent applicants who were affected by the tsunami on 11 March.
TiVo Case More Closely Aligns US With Europe On Patent Infringement Contempt Cases 09/05/2011 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States recently changed one important aspect of enforcing patent rights. Patent owners who wish to use contempt proceedings to stop adjudged infringers from committing additional infringements must comply with the new standards laid down in TiVo Inc. v. EchoStar Corp. The decision, which brings US law closer to that of European countries, makes it easier for patentees to bring contempt actions, but may sometimes make it harder to win these actions.
USPTO Director Kappos Outlines A Pro-Active, Value-Driven Patent Office 06/05/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK – The United States Patent and Trademark Office is operating at a “higher level” these days, trying to look beyond patent numbers to patent quality and value, USPTO Director David Kappos told a group of licensing executives yesterday.
WIPO Hails 2 Millionth International Patent Application 15/04/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment In its slick new office building in Geneva, the World Intellectual Property Organization this week celebrated the 2 millionth patent filing under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, which it manages. In the foyer with white clad windows, a crowd was assembled to hear the praise of the international patent filing system.
Proposals For Single EU Patent Issued; Doubts About EU Patent Court Remain 13/04/2011 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Legislative proposals for a single European patent emerged from the European Commission this week. If approved by the European Parliament and Council, the measures will make patents granted in one country valid in all participating EU member states and drastically cut the cost of patent protection, the Commission said. Patent lawyers praised the proposals but said the issue of an EU-wide patent litigation court must be resolved first.
EPO Patent Applications Hit All-Time Record, Medical Technology In Lead 13/04/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Patent Office (EPO) announced today that patent applications reached an all-time record in 2010, with an increase of 11 percent over 2009. According to a press release, 235,000 patent filings were received by the EPO in 2010.
Study: Patent Applications Rise On Flu Genetic Resources; Questioning WIPO Report 13/04/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment As a backdrop to World Health Organization members meeting this week in search of a global strategy for future influenza pandemics, the pharmaceutical industry and other actors have been developing a keen interest in patents on influenza genetic resources. A sharp and sustained increase in patent activity on those materials was pointed out by a civil society group in a new report, which it says challenges a recent report by the World Intellectual Property Organization.