MIP Search | Managing Intellectual Property

New court clarifies expert opinions

A recent procedural order by the president of the new Swiss Federal Patent Court has clarified two issues in patent cases, provided the Federal Court confirms the Patent Court's view.

Managing IP Correspondent, August 30 2012

Amendments to Patents Act passed

On July 10 2012, in further recognition of the growing global importance of intellectual property and the intention of developing Singapore's position as an IP Hub in Asia, new legislation was passed by Singapore's parliament.

Managing IP Correspondent, August 30 2012

Bourbon too well known to be confusing

The word Bourbon has a broader application than you might think. It is not always connected with Bourbon County in Kentucky or, going deeper into the past, the royal family in France. The word Bourbon has also always been used to designate other goods. So much so that it has led to conflicts in the market. One recent conflict came up in the case Ipanema Bourbon v Caffe Bourbon in 2010.

Managing IP Correspondent, August 30 2012

Court overturns Patent Office on well-known mark

A recent decision by the District Administrative Court overturned the Patent Office, explaining in the process the conditions under which a well-known mark benefits from extra protection.

Managing IP Correspondent, August 30 2012

Church names are not an ecclesiastical matter

In a recent case between United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and Bradford United Church of Christ (BUCCI), the Supreme Court ruled on June 20 that it had jurisdiction over BUCCI's continued use of its name after disaffiliation from UCCP.

Managing IP Correspondent, August 30 2012

New use patents run risk of opposition

"New or subsequent use of a known product" is among the subject matters specifically excluded from the scope of patentable inventions in Pakistan. This has been the case since the 2000 Ordinance irrespective of the fact that merely changing the category of claim to give a specifically excluded subject matter an inventive gloss is not sufficient to evade the prohibition, and a well-recognised rule of claims interpretation is that "a valid claim cannot read on a prior art product".

Managing IP Correspondent, August 30 2012

How to deal with the lack of trade mark harmonisation

It is well known that Norwegians like to stand out. Norway is not a member of the EU and the majority of Norwegians would like to keep it that way. Norway is, however, part of the European Economic Area (EEA). Through the EEA Agreement, the Norwegian trade mark authorities are obliged to implement the same requirements of distinctiveness as those of EU member states.

Managing IP Correspondent, August 30 2012

High Court takes jurisdiction over US patent

In March this year, the High Court found in favour of a Mr Stewart on the basis that Franmara Inc, a United States company, had infringed his New Zealand patent and breached a confidentiality agreement. The subject matter was a bottle opener for champagne and sparkling wine.

Managing IP Correspondent, August 30 2012

Court of Justice upholds cross-border injunctions

The Court of Justice of the EU recently answered the prejudicial questions relating to cross-border injunction referred to it by the Dutch Court of the Hague.

Managing IP Correspondent, August 30 2012

New trade mark examiner’s manual

For the past few months, the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) and several members of the Mexican Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AMPPI) have been working towards the creation of a trade mark examiners' manual.

Managing IP Correspondent, August 30 2012

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