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In a recent decision (3Ni-42/04) the German Federal Patent Court has revoked the German patent DE 19756864 relating to neuronal precursor cells derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells insofar as it concerns cells that descend from ES cells prepared from human embryos.

On April 5 2007, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate jointly issued the Interpretation of Several Issues Relating to Specific Application of Law to the Treatment of Criminal Cases of Intellectual Property Infringement No. 2 which came into force on the same day. This Interpretation aims to further strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights in China, in particular copyright, via criminal means. The previous interpretation on these issues was the No. 1 Interpretation which came into force on December 22 2004.

Trade mark owners are increasingly frustrated at having to police online auction websites to prevent sales of fakes. In an open letter to eBay, one IP lawyer demands action. Ray Black

The rise of the internet has spawned a lucrative trade in counterfeit goods. But as an investigation launched by Burberry shows, careful online monitoring can trap the sellers, says Emma Barraclough

In 2005 the Dubai Customs Authority announced its plan to set up a dedicated Intellectual Property Unit (IPU) to help curb the import, export and trans-shipment of counterfeit goods and products through all ports, including the Jebel Ali Free Zone Port. The first unit of its kind in the region, it has been finally implemented and the IPU is now ready to accept brand registrations and brand owners' complaints.

In Radio Today Broadcasting Ltd v Indian Performing Rights Society 2007 (34) PTC 174 (Cal), Radio Today Broadcasting, the petitioners, plan to run a radio station through the FM band with the name Radio Today. They applied for a licence from the central government and also secured a provisional licence. The petitioners' intent is to play both film and non-film songs on this proposed station. The dispute arose due to the fact that Radio Today was not willing to pay royalties to the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) and IPRS in turn threatened to bring a legal action for infringement of copyright.

On February 16 2007 the Lower District Court of Düsseldorf decided a trade mark case in an interlocutory injunction procedure regarding the use of the trade mark Oral Fixation for mint products.

At the second annual IPTEC meeting, held last month, technology licensors and licensees got together to share experiences and discuss business opportunities. James Nurton reports from Cannes, France

MIP, in association with Finnegan Henderson, invited three brand owners as well as lawyers from the US, China and Germany to discuss how to protect and manage brands internationally. Topics covered included famous marks, new types of marks, the Madrid Protocol, transliterations and other means of protecting brands

Recent conflicts between patent owners and third companies, in particular generic pharmaceutical companies, require the evolution of the Patent Law in Portugal to be considered.