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Carlos O Mitelman and Daniel R Zuccherino provide an overview of some important developments in Argentinean IP law

Juan Luis Serrano and Erwin Cruz outline the perks and pitfalls of the new trial online appeals system in Mexico

A recent amendment to Mexico's Health Law regulates biotherapeuctic products. Daniel Sanchez and Juan Luis Serrano of Olivares & Cia in Mexico City welcome the reform, but argue that further guidance is needed on some key questions

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Developing IP is essential for companies that want to add value to commodity products. David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, explains how some of Africa's biggest brands are leading the way

When creating trade marks, pharmaceutical companies often choose words that are similar to the generic names of the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) system administered by the World Health Organization (WHO). These marks frequently incorporate the first or last syllables of the relevant INN. The chart below provides samples of trademarks registered in Class 5 for pharmaceutical products that are similar to an INN.

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.

The Pharmaceutical Management Agency (Pharmac) is responsible for managing the pharmaceutical budget for New Zealand's public health system. In particular, Pharmac decides which medicines will be subsidised. This has caused strained relations with research-based pharmaceutical companies wishing to supply the New Zealand market. In recent years, Pharmac seems to have had the upper hand, but a Supreme Court decision released in August and an agreement between AstraZeneca and Pharmac for the supply of two drugs, may indicate that the tide is turning.

In two recent decisions by the Technical Boards of Appeal (TBA), refusals of European patent applications by the examining division of the EPO have been deemed to constitute substantial procedural violations.

From Pascual Segura, director, University of Barcelona Patent Centre