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The admissibility of disclaimers in European patents has been an ever-popular subject, and it appears that the next wave is about to start.

The Benelux Trademark Office is very strict when examining the inherent registrability of a trade mark. On average, 10% of Benelux trade mark applications are provisionally refused for lack of distinctive character or descriptiveness.

Legal uncertainties over whether it is possible to cancel domain names formed by using the names of others has now been clarified. In two decisions regarding domain names for websites that criticise the activities of the names' owners, the Austrian Supreme Court has made clear rulings.

The advocate general at the ECJ has backed Google's decision to sell adwords that use third party trade marks

OHIM President Wubbo de Boer wants to reform the opposition system for Community trade marks

Customs recordal is one of the legal measures that IP owners can employ for enforcement at the borders. The Customs Law provides that IP can be recorded with local Customs offices or the General Customs Department in Hanoi. Recordal is not compulsory, but is highly recommended for rights holders facing IP infringement in Vietnam. The relevant laws and regulations governing customs recordal are the Customs Law 2001, amended in 2005, Decree No 154/ND-CP dated December 15 2005, detailing the provisions of the Customs Law and the Regulations on Handling Requests for Border Control Measures Over Imported and Exported Goods promulgated by Decision no 916/QD-TCHQ dated March 31 2008.

Software inventions pose unique challenges to patent laws. Dipak Rao and Siva K Gopinatham, of Singhania & Partners, review Indian protection in the light of US and European approaches

India has only recently introduced product patents. Ramesh C Dhawan and Sunaina Koul of Lall Lahiri & Salhotra consider what impact the changes will have on multinational companies, the local industry and public health

In the light of the global recession, Amit Aswal of Clairvolex provides tips on how to optimise the value of your patent portfolio and pending applications

India has come a long way in protecting biotech inventions in the past decade. But, argue Sanjay Kumar and Deepa Kachroo Tiku of Remfry & Sagar, more progress is needed