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Boom outstrips PTO

The European Commission’s Directive and Regulation on Community trade marks were designed to provide a level field for brand owners in Europe.

A guide to registration practice across Europe

Coffeemix verdict stirs up confusion

ECJ to examine torpedoes

Trovan case breaks damages record

Seattle leaves issues unresolved

Enzo Biochem Inc v Calgene Inc, 52 USPQ2d 1129 (Fed Cir September 24 1999), is a case which illustrates that the patent practitioner´ s well-nigh intuitive impetus to obtain the broadest possible patent claims should at times be checked. The Court found invalid for non-compliance of the accompanying disclosure with 35 USC §112, ¶1 broad claims covering the application of so-called antisense process technology to both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the resulting modified cells. (Eukaryotic cells are those from complex life forms, including plants, animals and fungi; prokaryotic cells are from simple, including unicellular, life forms, eg the common bacterium, E.coli, is a prokaryotic.)

According to the agreement between the Romanian government and the EPO, extensions of the European patent application to Romania can be requested for all European patent applications filed on or after October 15 1996. The extension is also available for European patent applications derived from an international application provided that both Romania and EP are designated, and the international filing date is on or after October 15 1996.

Singapore is often referred to as a food paradise. Given the plethora of cuisines and gastronomical delights, it is not surprising to encounter litigation in the food industry. But this year seems to yield a bumper crop of food-related trade mark disputes. This article provides a short summary of three of these cases, the brands of which may be familiar to some: Kelloggs Smacks for snacks; Kickapoo for soft drinks; and Rainforest Café for restaurants.