Ten patent trends for 2012
21 December 2011
James Nurton, London, and Eileen McDermott, New York
From the launch of new courts to controversial cases, blockbuster drugs to smartphone wars, what does 2012 have in store for patent professionals?
1 New frameworks
In Australia, the United States and the EU, patent reform will take centre stage in 2012.
The Australian government launched a review of the country's innovation patent system in August this year, saying in a paper that a variety of concerns have been raised, including a low threshold for innovative step and few benefits for small companies.
In March, the country's federal government released a 102-page bill and a 118-page explanatory memorandum clarifying proposed changes to its invention system that aim to harmonise with international standards. They include expanding what can constitute prior art, clarifying specifications and protecting experimental research. Those reforms are expected to be passed by April next year.The US patent community will meanwhile be preoccupied with a series of rules throughout 2012 that the USPTO must issue by September 16 to conform with the America Invents Act. The so-called Group 2 rules will be published for...
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