IP Mediation Conference: Breaking barriers and avoiding a UPC clash
On day one of the EUIPO’s IP Mediation Conference, which took place at the EUIPO's headquarters in Alicante last week, panellists agreed on two key resolutions for encouraging alternative dispute resolution: overcoming scepticism and building capacity.
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IP Mediation Conference: Navigating new tech, and culture conversations
On day two of the EUIPO’s IP Mediation Conference, panellists discussed best practices to follow while navigating alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
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Ex-PTAB judge to help new clients navigate USPTO policy shifts
A former lead administrative patent judge at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board was drawn to a private practive move because of the opportunity to assist clients with USPTO policy issues, he told Managing IP.
Law firm Bracewell announced on Monday, October 23, that Kit Crumbley, a lead APJ since 2017, had joined the firm as a partner.
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UPC grants access to file for the first time
A division of the Unified Patent Court has granted a member of the public access to pleadings for the first time amid a wider debate over a lack of transparency at the court.
The UPC’s Nordic-Baltic regional division approved a request for access to the plaintiff’s claims in Ocado v Autostore on Tuesday, October 17.
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Keep faith in SEP reform, major implementers tell MEPs
Almost 40 companies have urged members of the European Parliament to back a proposed overhaul of standard-essential patent rules, as lobbying over the controversial plan intensifies.
In a letter sent on Wednesday, October 25, and seen by Managing IP, companies including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Mercedes, and Toyota said the current SEP licensing system was unfair and stalled the spread of new technology.
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Other articles published by Managing IP this week include:
Find a niche: IP boutiques reveal how they found success
Five minutes with ... Elizabeth Morris, Pure Storage
Weekly take: IP-trade demands will fail future generations
Why Asian IP firms are eyeing data privacy work
Effort and objectivity will help secure backing, funders tell firms
Health Justice Initiative: IP office actions can spur drug price fight
Fed Circuit leaves 'reckless disregard' TM question open
Elsewhere in IP
Ukraine’s IP integration
EUIPO executive director João Negrão visited Ukraine this week to discuss the country’s integration into the EU intellectual property system.
The Ukrainian IP office and the EUIPO agreed on a two-year IP work plan as Ukraine prepares to join the EU.
Ukrainian deputy prime minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said the harmonisation of IP rules with Europe’s would help attract investment into the country.
“The innovative post-war recovery of Ukraine will largely depend on how effective we are in this regard,” she said.
Bristows exit
Ex-Bristows patent litigator Luke Maunder has joined Osborne Clarke as an associate director, the firm announced on Tuesday, October 24.
Maunder specialises in high-tech patent litigation, standard-essential patents and fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms.
Maunder said: “I look forward to bringing my skills and experience to Osborne Clarke's clients, to learning about the latest innovative technologies and to working on the new legal challenges that those present with its international IP team.”
Maunder had been at Bristows since 2015.
Hasty settlement
Roche has settled a patent infringement suit against Biogen just three months after filing it.
The settlement was confirmed in a filing in a Massachusetts federal court on Monday, October 23.
Roche accused Biogen of infringing its IP with a biosimilar version of blockbuster rheumatoid arthritis drug Actemra.
The Food and Drug Administration approved Biogen’s version last month.
UPC: Road to 100
More than 80 cases have been filed at the Unified Patent Court, including 47 infringement lawsuits, it was confirmed this week.
The court could see its 100th case as early as next week, one lawyer predicted.
Cases have begun to lead to decisions, with the UPC Court of Appeal issuing its first judgment earlier this month.
Unitary patents
Meanwhile, the EPO has received more than 12,000 requests for patents with unitary effect.
Siemens led the way with the most requests, followed by Johnson & Johnson, Volvo, Samsung, and Qualcomm.
The EPO has provided a breakdown of the figures here.
Newman fights back
Federal Circuit judge Pauline Newman has asked a district court to halt her suspension.
The New Civil Liberties Alliance filed the brief on Newman’s behalf at the District Court for the District of Columbia on Wednesday, October 25.
The Judicial Council of the Federal Circuit unanimously agreed to ban Newman from hearing any cases at the panel level or en banc for one year from September 20.
That's it for today, see you again next week.
