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Taiwan's 2004 achievements in IP TIPO completed revision of Examination Guidelines for Patents, Examination Guidelines for Three-dimensional, Sound and Colour [trade marks] and Examination Guidelines for Likelihood of Confusion - all published for patent and trade mark examiners in the hope of improving examination quality. The Copyright Act was amended in September, broadening copyright protection to the digital world. The Integrated Enforcement Task Force was reorganized and renamed the IPR Police on November 1. On November 23, the IPR Police raided a warehouse, seizing more than 10,000 counterfeit clothes items with a value of $937,500. The director-general of Customs held three nationwide workshops from October to December, educating more than 100 customs officials on IP inspection skills. On June 8, at the Judicial Yuan's Senior Officers meeting it was decided that a dedicated IP court would be created in Taipei's Shilin District. Plans detailing the court's establishment are being formulated. One of Taiwan's most senior IP figures has set out a far-reaching plan to strengthen the country's rights framework, and offer owners greater protection and enforcement measures.

Charlie McCreevy Internal market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy addressed the European Parliament's legal affairs committee on February 2 to help him form his opinion "on where to go next" on the EU's IP laws.

In the US, federal judicial courts compete with each other to handle patent litigation. Roderick McKelvie and Scott Weidenfeller examine whether recent reforms in the Western District of Pennsylvania will attract more cases to its court

Emma Barraclough, Hong Kong

A new trade mark opposition procedure was introduced in the Benelux at the beginning of 2004. One year on, Boudewijn van Vondelen asks whether this has led to a stricter registration system

A recent ruling by a US court has triggered a debate about worldwide computer and communication systems and the reach of US patents. John Kenny and Sascha Schalkwijk examine the arguments behind the celebrated Blackberry case

On January 1 2004 a trade mark opposition procedure was first introduced in Benelux (an economic union between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg). Before that date conflicts between trade mark owners had to be solved in court, if a settlement proved not to be possible. The new system leaves ample room for amicable settlements, but if necessary a conflict can be resolved quickly and cheaply, and at an early stage. Of course appeal still remains possible before one of the three national courts of appeal.

It has been hard for biogenerics to gain regulatory approval in Europe and the US, but the new EU regulatory regime could change that in Europe. Tim Powell and Ewan Nettleton of Bristows ask if the tide has turned

Many biotechnology companies are looking hard at their patent portfolios to raise extra revenues. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe's Craig Kaufman and Anne-Marie Dinius reveal how biotech companies can use the law to enhance their ability to enforce their patent rights

Jason P Rogers of James & Wells provides a guide to protecting pharmaceutical and biotech inventions in New Zealand, and previews the changes expected under proposed changes to the Patents Act