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A court victory by peer-to-peer networks against copyright holders may lead to the passage of an Act that would stunt technological progress. Michael R Graham argues against a hasty extension to US copyright law

Registration remains the best form of trade mark protection in the UK. But two recent English cases reveal the continuing importance of unregistered rights, as Graeme Fearon explains

EU: The European Commission launched a call for tenders for a study looking at the effects of patented computer-implemented inventions. The aim is to set up an independent survey about the effects of computer-implemented inventions on the software sector. EU: The European Court of Justice announced that Irish IP judge Fidelma Macken will leave the court later this year to go back to the Irish High Court from which she joined the ECJ in October 1999. She will be replaced by Mr Justice Aindrias O'Caoimh from the Irish High Court. The Netherlands: The Netherlands has brought its copyright rules in line with the EU copyright directive by updating the Dutch Copyright Act with the new article 29a. It was enforced on September 1. Switzerland: WIPO paid tribute to its founder Arpád Bogsch who passed away on September 19 at the age of 85. Bogsch worked for WIPO as its first director-general for 24 years, while also heading the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants.

A recent US ruling has saved accused infringers from the fear that by not having a legal opinion, courts would automatically infer that such an opinion would have contained unfavourable advice. But, says Scott M Alter, that does not mean that such opinions may no longer be crucial

James Nurton and Stéphanie Bodoni, London

Stéphanie Bodoni, Rome

Stéphanie Bodoni, London

The USPTO has sent one of its advisers to the US Embassy in Beijing to persuade the Chinese government to take tougher action on IP infringement.

Stéphanie Bodoni, London

The statute governing patent law in the UK, the Patents Act 1977, is being amended. The amending legislation, the Patents Act 2004, received Royal Assent on 22 July and is expected to be brought into force shortly.