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Under the Copyrights Act 1957 copyright societies are authorised to grant licences for copyrighted works. No other person except the owner of the work or a copyright society can grant a licence. A copyright society has the task of collective management of the rights of the owners and furthers their interests to prevent infringement of their works, in India as well as abroad. As India is a member of international conventions, the copyright societies in India can have reciprocal arrangements with organisations in other countries for collection of royalties for use of Indian works in these countries. Again, the owners have to withdraw the licence bestowed on the copyright society without prejudice to the rights of the society. In India, copyright societies like IPRS, PPL, SCRIPT have been protecting and managing the rights of the owners for musical, sound recording and cinematographic works respectively.

As of January 29 2010 the EPO has launched the so-called PCT Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Programme with the USPTO and the JPO. The programme enable PCT applicants whose applications have been regionalised or nationalised before one or more of the three offices to have their patent application enter a fast track examination process, provided that another of the three offices has served as ISA and – where a demand was filed – as IPEA in the international phase. Moreover, the PCT application must contain claims that were deemed allowable in the international phase. To enter the fast track programme, the applicant must file a request and fulfil a series of requirements. The requirements for applications regionalised before the EPO are outlined here.

The term "plant breeders' rights" refers to the branch of the law that protects IP rights related to innovations on plant varieties, such as new varieties with increased resistance to pests or weather, or with enhanced nutritional capacity.

• China slashes trade mark pendency The China Trade Mark Office cut its trade mark pendency to 18 months in 2009 and plans to register marks in less than 12 months in 2010.

James Nurton reports on a controversial ruling in Benelux that could affect the value and popularity of Community trade marks

Until recently, IP owners had to sue trade secret thieves. Now the government can prosecute them. Michael Songer and Traci Rodriguez explain how

Antitrust regulator voices concerns over copyright deal

Managing IP presents the results of its annual trade mark survey, listing the leading firms in prosecution and contentious work in more than 70 jurisdictions

US judges have recently set higher standards for calculating royalties in patent infringement cases. Elizabeth Bailey, Alan Cox and Gregory Leonard explain what the decisions mean

Australia