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Richard Taylor examines the European Commission's proposals for a Community patent, and offers predictions as to what the future holds for patenting and IP regulation in Europe

The jury trial is one of the most challenging aspects of the US patent system for overseas users. James W Gould reveals the key issues litigants need to address when choosing between jury and bench trials

In a recent case, the English Court of Appeal looked again at the issue of the purposive construction of a patent (Wheatley & Anor v Drillsafe Ltd & Anors). Wheatley´ s patent claimed a centre-less hole cutter, which is a hole cutter with no central drill for forming a pilot hole. This is especially suitable for forming threaded holes in, for example, underground petrol tanks without the need to open the tanks. The defendants´ drill had a semi-penetrating retractable probe within the cutting tool to prevent the cutter from wandering. The defendants argued that this probe meant that the drill was a variant which fell outside the claims of the patent.

The Finnish Patent Law was amended on 15 July 2000. The law specifies the principles of patentability, definition of the invention and the scope of the patent in accordance with the EU biotechnology directive. Principally the Finnish patent practice has been in accordance with the directive for some time.

Tomorrow's biggest industries will all be driven by technology. Robert Stoll, of the USPTO, takes a timely look at the significance of patent law as an engine of economic development and improvements in human life

Tacking allows you to secure priority for your US trade marks by citing earlier registrations. But Thomas M Williams warns that recent cases have limited trade mark owners' ability to tack old marks on to new ones

In the first decision of its kind, Singapore's High Court has upheld a biotechnology patent on the HIV-2 virus. It is a decision that will be greeted with interest worldwide, says Tony Yeo

Related Information

On May 25 1999, the Russian President issued a Decree on the "Structure of Federal Executive Bodies". That Decree meant a major reshuffle of the governmental bodies responsible for various facets of the functioning of the Russian national economy. The Decree set up or reorganized a number of federal entities and abolished other federal bodies. For the most part, the changes concerned relatively unimportant entities and mostly remained unnoticed.

The Romanian Patent Law 64/1991 provides for the possibility of obtaining an improvement patent.