This week on MIP: India’s landmark FRAND ruling, EUIPO referral first

April 05 2024

We provide a rundown of Managing IP’s news and analysis from the week, and review what’s been happening elsewhere in IP

India’s landmark FRAND ruling signals big win for SEP owners

The Delhi High Court’s decision to order Indian smartphone maker Lava to pay Ericsson ₹244 crores ($29 million) for infringing its standard-essential patents includes plenty of reasons for SEP owners to be cheerful, the full judgment has shown.

On March 28, after reserving judgment for more than a year, the court handed down the highest-ever damages awarded in a SEP dispute in India.

A redacted version of the full judgment was published on the court’s website late on Wednesday, April 3.

To read the full article, click here.

Exclusive: CAM hires Anand & Anand veteran to bolster IP offering

Revanta Mathur, a former partner at Anand & Anand, joined India’s largest law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas on Monday, April 1.

Mathur, who joined CAM after 17 years with Anand & Anand where he mainly handled trademark prosecution and enforcement work, will support CAM’s growing intellectual property transactions practice.

To read the full article, click here.

Exclusive: SIPS combines with Chinese firms in mega-merger

Hong Kong-based intellectual property services firm SIPS combined with Chinese law firms Beijing East IP and East IP to create East IP Group.

The three firms will share the East IP branding, with SIPS now operating as East IP Limited.

In addition, a team of 36 intellectual property professionals, including six partners, is to join the group from Zhong Lun Law Firm. They will be led by veteran trademark practitioner Jimmy Huang.

To read the full article, click here.

Elsewhere in IP

Royalties down under

British artists will now earn royalties when their artwork is resold in Australia, it was announced on Sunday, March 31. The announcement, by the Department of Business and Trade and the Department for Culture Media and Sport, means UK artists will be able to claim resale royalties each time their art is resold in the Australian professional art market.

Conversion clarity

The executive director of the EUIPO, João Negrão, has sought clarification from the office’s Grand Board of Appeal on the legal interpretations of the EU Trade Mark Regulation (EUTMR). It marks the first time the office has sought clarification on the EUTMR.

The question relates to ‘conversion’, a process that allows an EU trademark application or registration to be converted into one or more national applications should registrability issues arise in specific member states.

Advantage, Samsung

Samsung has been handed an advantage in its $330 million legal battle against Netlist, after the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) ruled on Monday, April 1, that Netlist’s asserted claims were unpatentable.

A US jury found in April last year that Samsung had infringed five of Netlist’s patents. A jury ordered Samsung to pay Netlist $330 million in damages.

Reddie for growth

Intellectual property attorney firm Reddie & Grose has appointed Steve Howe as chairman and made a round of senior promotions. A new role of principal associate has also been introduced.

The first batch of principal associates are Mark Bentall, Ian Dowling, Andrea Civera, Andy Williams and Catherine Nursaw. Katharina Aulinger-Fuchs and Dan Sullivan have been made senior associates.

The firm said the promotions will help support the growth of its UK and European teams.

Brand refresh

African law firm Adams & Adams announced that it had rebranded yesterday, April 4. The firm said the rebrand – it has become ‘A&A’ with the tagline ‘Realise African Enterprise’ – reflects the firm’s evolution, embodying its commitment to fostering enterprise in Africa.

Partner promotions

Meanwhile, US firm Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone has promoted three of its lawyers to partner, it announced on Wednesday, April 3. Jennifer Rea Deneault, Daniel Klein, and Jenny Wu will take up their new roles on July 1.