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Emma Barraclough, Hong Kong

John Mitchell, CEO, AllVoice Computing and chair, Patent Reform Group

Patent terms of advanced technologies in Korea have gradually become shorter as patent examination procedures get longer. To resolve this deficiency in the Korean patent system, officials have revealed a new strategy to reduce the patent examination period from 22 months to 10 months.

The recently promulgated Indian Patent Ordinance indirectly recognizes "new uses" as patentable in India. Thus far, new use of a known substance was unpatentable. Section 3 of the Indian Patents Act 1970 excluded "new use" from the scope of patentable inventions. The recent amendment enables pharmaceutical companies to protect new uses of patented drug molecules, which is a move welcomed by the global pharmaceutical companies.

The revised version of the Implementing Regulations on Customs Administrative Punishment, which took effect on November 1 2004, once again gave Customs the power to fine exporters and importers for infringing IP rights. The maximum fine that Customs can levy is 30% of the value of the infringing goods. In serious cases, the traders face criminal penalties. The new amendment has no retrospective effect.

The European Commission has bucked international trends by proposing fee reductions of up to 30% for Community trade mark applications. But not everyone is pleased with the plans. James Nurton reports

As part of its internationalization process, Chile is due to introduce reforms to its IP laws to bring them in line with the requirements of the TRIPs Agreement. Eduardo Molina and Sergio Amenabar explain what the changes will mean for rights owners

Trade in counterfeit goods is a grim global phenomenon. Complex, fast moving and sophisticated, it demands an increasing awareness worldwide. This awareness is changing the IP landscape in Canada.

US: An en banc panel of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit heard arguments in Phillips v AWH Corp on February 8. The final ruling could determine how trial courts interpret claim construction in all future patent cases. A decision is expected in early 2006. US: The head of Hewlett-Packard's Linux programme urged open source developers not to ignore software patents. Martin Fink, vice-president at Hewlett-Packard, told an audience at the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo that "refusing to patent one's ideas is leaving oneself exposed for absolutely no good reason". US: Microsoft and Nokia signed a deal which will see Microsoft software installed on Nokia's phones. The agreement will allow customers to transfer songs from computers to mobile phones, and also download music from their phones to computers using Microsoft software. US: Fashion company Cartier won a $594 million judgment in a New York district court, after a two-and-a-half year prosecution using private investigators and a paper trail targeting main suppliers, rather than the makers or sellers of counterfeit goods. The company claims the payout is the largest made in a counterfeit case anywhere in the world.

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.