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The revised Customs legislation prescribes the conditions under which the Customs Administration of Croatia can take measures against goods where there is justifiable suspicion that they violate IP rights. It also details the procedures to implement Customs measures in such cases.

Unlike some jurisdictions which allow any person to file a patent application, Canadian law provides that a patent application can only be made in the name of the inventor or a person who derives rights from the inventor. Until recently, the Patent Rules required that, in order to satisfy the Commissioner of Patents as to entitlement to file the application, the applicant was required to record evidence establishing a chain of title from the inventor. Under the new rules, effective June 2 2007, it is no longer necessary to record such evidence. The applicant is instead required to file a declaration setting forth the basis of its entitlement, normally within 15 months from the priority date or three months from the date of entry into the national phase. However, it is important to note that the underlying statutory requirements governing the entitlement to file a patent application have not changed. The changes in the rules relate to the requirements sufficient to satisfy the Commissioner to allow an application to proceed. Generally, it is still advisable at least to obtain a written assignment or other acknowledgement from the inventor that the applicant does indeed own the rights in the invention, and given the minimal cost, preferably to continue to record that document against the application order to minimize the risk of any future challenges to the ownership or validity of the resulting patent by ensuring that there is a clear chain of title from the original inventor to the current owner.

The internet boom and bust left many companies with a myriad of domain names and very little idea of how to manage them. Rebecca Smith looks at why good management is important for companies and what they need to look for in choosing a solutions provider

Sam Mamudi, New York

As European politicians consider fundamental reforms to patent protection, one of the key questions they have to address is how to make the system more efficient. In particular, some critics believe Europe needs to look to the US model to improve its effectiveness. In a special MIP debate, Koos Rasser argues that the European patent system as it exists today is substantially inferior to that of the US, while Simon Mounteney says that, though not perfect, Europe offers many benefits to applicants

When, in 1993, Czechoslovakia separated into two independent states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, both republics incorporated Czechoslovak valid law into their legislation. As far as IP rights are concerned, the most important act was the Patents Act No 527/90. In the following years both republics were working on their own legislation and individual Trade Marks Acts were adopted. However, the work continued. International cooperation required substantial harmonization with legislation of the European Union and as far as patent law was concerned; the work was focused on substantial harmonisation with EPC.

IP offices around the world face an ever-growing range of challenges, from responding to calls for harmonization and the surge in demand for IP services to holding on to well-qualified staff to. IP Australia explain their strategy

A rare glimpse into the workings of the USPTO reveals an organization rich in history and poised on the threshold of change. Sam Mamudi visits the Arlington agency and finds out what makes it tick

After months of fierce debates, EU Council ministers adopted a common position on the controversial software patent directive last month. The adoption was unexpected, leaving the European Parliament fully responsible for the future of the law. Stéphanie Bodoni reports

The Indian IP system has undergone dramatic changes for the better at all levels in the last few years. The government and IP community must continue the improvement if the potential of IP to create investment and revenue for India is not to be lost, argues Pravin Anand