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Jane Mutimear examines how the courts in Germany and the UK, as well as OHIM, have treated trade mark applications arising from generic domain names

A trade mark registration in Mexico is in full force for a term of 10 years from the filing date. After that time it is necessary to request renewal before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI). According to the Law of Industrial Property (LPI), to proceed with this action the corresponding trade mark must have been used in Mexico within the last three years. The question arises as to what can be done when a trade mark has not been used in that time and registration is due for renewal.

As the Gulf Cooperation Council’s patent system goes from strength to strength, Ralph Cunningham examines how patent owners are benefiting from improved protection and enforcement throughout the region

Thanks to tough economic circumstances, it has been a difficult year for Latin American practitioners. But, says James Nurton, a number of developments promise increasing interest in IP in the future

The approach of 2005 and TRIPs Agreement conformity has proved to be a great motivator in Asian jurisdictions. A flood of new patent legislation has entered the statute books. Some countries already comply with the agreement. Others have a bit more work to do, reports Ralph Cunningham

A trade mark registration in Mexico is in full force for a term of 10 years from the filing date. After that time it is necessary to request renewal before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI). According to the Law of Industrial Property (LPI), to proceed with this action the corresponding trade mark must have been used in Mexico within the last three years. The question arises as to what can be done when a trade mark has not been used in that time and registration is due for renewal.

Pharmacia Corp, GD Searle & Co and Pfizer Inc (the patentees) were the proprietors of European Patent (UK) 0 679 157 (the patent) relating to chemical compounds having use as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The patentees appealed the findings at trial that the patent was invalid and not infringed by the defendants, Merck & Co Inc and Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd (Merck). On appeal, the finding of invalidity was confirmed (Court of Appeal, December 14 2001). Merck's chemical compound, sold under the name Vioxx, was held to fall within claim 1 and would have infringed if the claim had not been held invalid.

Ralph Cunningham, Hong Kong

Administrators of commercial companies in Colombia, whether national or foreign, must submit a report of performance to a general shareholders meeting. This must be done within the first three months of the fiscal year. Contained in the report must be a disclosure of the company's compliance with the provisions on IP and copyright.

Many countries have made significant steps in improving and harmonizing their patent protection in the last year. James Nurton, Ingrid Hering and Ralph Cunningham ask the leading practitioners in 30 emerging markets about the latest trends