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In a first leading decision, the Austrian Supreme Court has clarified several issues relating to keyword advertising. The decision is about the trade mark and trade name Wein & Co. (Wine & Co), a famous chain of wine stores and wine bars in Austria. A competitor bought 815 keywords with Google, including Wein & Co. The complaint was against the purchaser not Google.

There are many benefits on offer for companies that disclose information about their intellectual assets, say Eiichi Yamamoto and Toshimichi Matano of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

KSR relaxed the standard for invalidating patents on the grounds of obviousness. But how has it been applied so far? John Isacson looks at the lessons for applicants

In a criminal action for infringement or unfair competition, the Department of Justice (DOJ) conducts a preliminary investigation. If it is convinced that probable cause exists, it files a complaint (called the Information) before the proper regional trial court (RTC). In case the DOJ moves to withdraw the information, should the RTC grant this as a matter of course? And if the DOJ decides to file the same Information again, will this constitute double jeopardy? These are the main issues tackled in the case of Summerville General Merchandising & Co Inc vs Hon Antonio Eugenio Jr et al GR 163741, decided by the Supreme Court on August 7 2007.

In July the Italian Parliament examined two bills relating to the regulations for identification and protection of Italian products. Both the proposals follow faithfully the consolidated text on the "Made in Italy" label already presented in the previous legislature, which was unable to conclude its course due to the end of the legislature.

IP owners in Japan have traditionally been reluctant to take their disputes to court. But things are beginning to change. Tomokatsu Tsukahara, the new chief of the IP High Court, and Masami Ichikawa, presiding judge of the IP division at the Tokyo District Court, told Peter Ollier about the changing face of IP litigation in Japan

Andrew Hammond of Valea looks back at the lead-up to the EPO Enlarged Board’s recent decision regarding divisional applications and forward to its possible consequences

On December 12 2007, EU Directive 2005/29/EC on Unfair Commercial Practices (UCPD) will enter into force in the member states. The Directive fully harmonizes rules within the EU regarding business-to-consumer (B2C) relations and is a big step towards creating a pan-European advertising market without borders. It means that it will be possible to use common advertising campaigns throughout the EU.

James Nurton, London

Peter Ollier, Hong Kong