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On January 21 the Indian government issued a Special Notice that all patent applications filed or claiming priority up to July 20 2003 would be deemed to have been published. Accordingly, Requests for Examination can be filed in respect of all applications filed or claiming priority up to that date. The complete specification in respect of all such applications can be inspected at the Patent Office.

A monthly column devoted to the curiosities and controversies of the IP world

Emma Barraclough

Protecting format rights in the Middle East is really no different than anywhere else in the world. There are no formal provisions in the law here for the registration of format rights.

Scientific research that looks for useful applications, processes, or products in nature is called biodiversity prospecting, or bioprospecting. In many cases, bioprospecting is a search for useful organic compounds in microorganisms, plants, and fungi that grow in extreme environments, such as rainforests, deserts, and hot springs. Malaysia, being one of the 12 mega-diverse countries in the world, and rich with biological diversity, is an attractive location for scientists to conduct these bioprospecting activities.

After months of fierce debates, EU Council ministers adopted a common position on the controversial software patent directive last month. The adoption was unexpected, leaving the European Parliament fully responsible for the future of the law. Stéphanie Bodoni reports

There is more to registering a trade mark than simply filling out a form. A trade mark search can be an invaluable aide in assessing whether your mark has validity, says Tamar Niv Bessinger

In January 2005 alone, it is estimated that file-swappers illegally traded more than 1 billion songs online. As the entertainment industry awaits a ruling on file sharing from the US Supreme Court, Giles Pratt explores the likely UK approach

Customs authorities provide an effective weapon against counterfeit goods in Europe. Jasper Helder and Francis van Velsen of Simmons & Simmons in Rotterdam examine their relevance in defending patent rights

Wouter Pors of Bird & Bird in The Hague examines the advantages of initiating litigation on trade marks and designs in the Netherlands, and argues that the country is a good option for owners of Benelux or Community rights