Search results for

In its effort to improve the quality and effectiveness of its service, the Italian Patent and Trade Mark Office (PTO) is dealing with the problem of how best to deliver to Italian patent applicants the search reports performed by the European Patent Office (EPO). Starting from July 1 2008 national patent applications not claiming a priority undergo a search carried out by the EPO.

UDRP decisions often address cases where there are trade mark licences involved. Hee-Eun Kim of WIPO examines what conclusions panels have reached, and provides some lessons for licensors and licensees

In Taiwan, a registered trade mark is vulnerable to non-use cancellation if, without justifiable cause, use of the trade mark has not begun within three years of its registration or after a period of time, use of the trade mark has been discontinued for a period in excess of three years.

Despite the downturn in the global economy, trade mark licensing continues to be an integral component of the business models of companies in the position of both licensor and licensee. Even in an economic recession, trade mark licensing provides the opportunity for a trade mark owner to generate revenue and capitalise on the reputation of their brands. Similarly, licensing remains an opportunity for licensees to offer consumers products bearing an established trade mark. The present economic climate has, however, often necessitated that licensees and licensors re-evaluate the commercial terms and conditions that they agreed to when negotiating the licensing arrangement.

In view of recent advances in technology, copyright protection has to be more complex. The widespread use of electronic modes of communication and data storage makes it essential that copyright law takes these technologies into account to safeguard the interests of the copyright owners and provides them with effective remedies.

The Bureau of Legal Affairs is often reluctant to recognise marks as internationally well known. Editha R Hechanova of Hechanova Bugay & Vilchez provides some guidance for brand owners

The sudden rise to fame of sprinter Usain Bolt has prompted debate in Jamaica over protecting celebrities' rights. Dianne Daley of Foga Daley examines what protection is available

Ankit Prakash of Anand and Anand looks at what brand owners need to do to combat piracy and counterfeiting in India

On January 16 2009, the Appeals Court of the Supreme People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City overturned a ruling of a lower court in a trade mark cancellation case that has drawn the attention of many IP practitioners and scholars in Vietnam.

In a recent hearing in Eli Lilly v HGS, Lord Justice Jacob gave some important guidance on the approach parties should take when there are parallel proceedings in the UK and before the EPO.