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On July 2 2009 the Republic of Poland acceded to the Geneva Act (1999) of the Hague Agreement, which enables the protection of industrial designs in a number of member states and intergovernmental organisations by filing a single international application with the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization. At present, there are 35 contracting parties to the Geneva Act, while the total number of contracting parties to the Hague Agreement amounts to 56.

In the recent High Court decision of MediaCorp News Pte Ltd (MediaCorp) v Astro All Asia Networks PLC (Astro), the court dismissed MediaCorp's appeal against Astro's use and registration of its logo trade mark in opposition proceedings. The bone of contention in this case was essentially a red "triangular" or "A" device in both parties' marks.

A generic drug is a drug in which the patent term relating to the active ingredient has expired. Under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, the approval of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (the MHLW) is required for any manufacture and marketing of drugs, and as a matter of course, the same rule would be applicable to generic drugs. Although the application procedure for the approval of generic drugs is easier than that for the approval of new drugs, generic drugs are subject to certain restrictions.

The High Court of Kuala Lumpur has, in a recent decision of its own, considered whether it has the powers to rectify the Trade Mark Register in an action to expunge a trade mark by unlawful proprietors.

Law 99/2009, which entered into force in August 2009, has introduced amendments to the Italian industrial property code with respect to trade marks and patents.

The use of a trade mark that is identical or deceptively similar to another's trade mark leads to economic loss to the original proprietor as well as dilution of the mark and passing off. If the use of deceptively similar mark is in respect of pharmaceutical products falling in the same description, concerns of public health and safety also arise.

With effect from August 1 2009, Measures for the Management of the Reproduction of Audio-Visual Products were replaced by new measures issued by The General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP). Aimed at strengthening the management and facilitating the healthy development of the reproduction industry in China, the newly enacted Measures For Reproduction Management consist of six chapters and 43 articles focusing on the establishment and management of business entities conducting reproduction activities, management of reproduction equipment and legal liabilities for any unauthorised activities.

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

The PCT was designed to benefit patent applicants and offices. More than 30 years on, is it still up to the job? Emma Barraclough reports

The four candidates contesting the election for EPO president this month tell Emma Barraclough why they are the right person for the job