http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/04/public-interest-in-plant-variety-rights.html IPkat has previously reported on the background and contents of the first compulsory license application. Now, as we finally have the decision itself (Decision nr NCL 001, of the 16th of March 2018), there are a number of interesting points to discuss. Background of the case On 12 October... Continue reading
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/04/breaking-german-fcj-declares-adblock.html Germany’s Federal Court of Justice has today decided in a year-long dispute between the German news publisher Axel-Springer-Verlagand Eyeo, the Cologne-based company behind AdBlock Plus. AdBlock Plus is a browser-addon that blocks banners, pop-ups and other ads. Eyeo claims it is being used on more than 100 Mio. devices... Continue reading
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/04/boards-bite-back-but-need-real-teeth.html The EPO is not this GuestKat’s natural habitat, and so she was glad to be reminded of the consultation on the new rules of procedures of the Boards of Appeal from Katfriend Gwilym Roberts of Kilburn & Strode. The online consultation is open until 30 April 2018, and readers... Continue reading
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/04/poor-reception-for-jurisdiction.html Does the English Court have jurisdiction to grant relief in the form of a global FRAND licence in relation to a claim for infringement of UK patents, where UK sales account for only 1% or less of worldwide sales on which royalties are claimed? This was the subject of the decision... Continue reading
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/04/from-ip-practitoner-to-murder-mystery.html This Kat has long dreamed of writing a mystery novel, but IP seems to have always gotten in the way. Not so for one-time patent attorney Roz Watkins. Having studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge and later working as a partner at a firm of patent attorneys in Derby, Watkins decided... Continue reading
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/04/what-makes-family-bridgestone.html The application of the notion of a family of marks is a challenging aspect of trademark practice. Teo Xuan Lang of Drew and Napier discusses a particularly interesting result recently reached in Singapore. There is no shortage of trade mark opposition cases involving proprietors who lay claim to families... Continue reading
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/04/it-law-summer-school-returns-to.html Downing College in Cambridge Our friends at KNect 365 wish to let IPKat readers know that, also this year, the IT Law Summer School is returning to Cambridge for 5 days (30 July – 3 August) of discussions and learning in the stunning premises of Downing College.The agenda includes... Continue reading
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/04/premaithas-strike-out-gamble-fails.html Gingersnap tried to strike out Murphy… Interim decisions are always full of interesting tidbits. Nothing was more juicy than last month’s decision from Mr Justice Carr in Illumnia v Premaitha [2018] EWHC 615 (Pat) in which he dealt with two applications brought by the defendants for (i) strike out of... Continue reading
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/04/around-ip-blogs_16.html IPKat is here with your weekly tour of the IP blogosphere! PatentsA guest post on Written Description by Jason Reinecke reviews a forthcoming article in the Georgetown Law Journal, which asks the question “Can Patents restrict free speech?” (and answers that they do). In the article, the author Professor Tun-Jen Chiang argues that “patents... Continue reading
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/04/sunday-surprises.html Plenty events, interesting articles and opportunies to look forward to in the coming months! The Law Society is looking for a new committee member. If you are interested in this great opportunity, click here for more information. The deadline has been postponed to Tuesday 17 April. Events On Thursday 19 April,... Continue reading