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China's Supreme People's Court has issued a new explanation clarifying when a court should accept a civil complaint against an infringing registered trade mark

Managing IP unveils the results of part three of the world's most detailed and authoritative survey of the IP market. Following five months' research, in this issue we list the leading firms for copyright work in 16 of the world's most important IP markets

Shape trade marks are at the farthest reaches of trade mark protection and pose difficult questions in any jurisdiction. A recent Australian decision directly at odds with a similar decision in New Zealand shows that the debate continues, and also what difference the particular wording, even a single word, can make to trade mark legislation.

In the case of Sanrio Company Limited v Edgar C Lim (doing business as Orignamura Trading (GR No 168662)), the Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled on February 19 2008 that in the absence of grave abuse of discretion, the factual findings of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in preliminary investigations will not be disturbed. The facts are as follows: Sanrio, a Japanese corporation, owns the copyright to various animated characters including Hello Kitty, Little Twin Stars, My Melody and Tuxedo Sam. It sold its products through its exclusive distributor Gift Gate who entered into licensing agreements with JC Lucas Creative Products, Paper Line Graphics and Melawares Manufacturing Corporation. These companies were allowed to manufacture certain products bearing the animated characters for the local market.

It has been predicted that Malaysia is likely to be a leader in the global pharmaceutical industry. The predicted growth of the pharmaceutical industry in 2008 will be through the increasing numbers of pharmaceutical manufacturers that are seeking to outsource or in-license their operations. The future market trends seem to be shifting towards consumption of generics as well as biotech and specialist therapies. Hence, the opportunity for healthcare companies venturing into Malaysia looks bright. This will, in turn, enable the country not only to expand its footprint in the Asia-Pacific healthcare industry, but also globally.

There are a number of initiatives pending on the Israeli legislative agenda that, if enacted, will significantly alter the e-commerce landscape in the country.

According to Article 4.1(i) of the Slovak Trade Mark Act, a sign shall not be recognized as a trade mark where the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic (the Trade Mark Office), on the grounds of oppositions filed pursuant to Article 9, decides that it is identical with or confusingly similar to an author's work created prior to the filing date of the application whereby using such a sign the author's copyright could be affected.

On February 18 2008, the Supreme People's Court of China passed the Provisions on Issues Concerning the Trial of Civil Cases Involving the Conflict between a Registered Mark or an Enterprise Name with Prior Rights. The Provision came into force on March 1.

A monthly column devoted to IP curiosities and controversies, named in honour of John of Utynam - who received the world's first recorded patent in 1449

Changes in supplementary protection certificates can mean a difference of millions of euros per month for the value of pharmaceutical products, say Dr Martin Huenges and Dr Dirk Bühler of Maiwald