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If the subject-matter of a granted German patent is an invention for which a European patent to the same inventor or its successor in law has been granted (which has the same priority and is valid in Germany) then the German patent becomes ineffective to the extent to which it protects the same invention as the European patent. This happens (1) at the end of the opposition period of the European patent, provided no opposition has been filed, or (2) at the end of European opposition proceedings, provided the European patent has been (at least partially) maintained, or (3) when the German patent is granted after (1) or (2).

? EU: The Community Designs Regulation came into force on March 6, providing uniform registered and unregistered design rights across member states. OHIM will administer applications for registered Community Designs.

Reinhardt Schuster and Clemens Rübel of Bardehle Pagenberg Dost Altenburg Geissler Isenbruck in Munich review the scope of protection under the doctrine of equivalents as it applies to patent claims including numerical data in Germany

The Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore Limited (Class) and INSEAD, the French business school, have inaugurated the first copyright licence scheme in South-East Asia for academic book publishing. Under the agreement, Class will issue a statutory licence to INSEAD for photocopying books, journals and other publications belonging to its members and those of other organizations from the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFRRO).

Russia's trade mark community has intensified pressure for tougher legislation to crack down on counterfeiting despite several legislative changes in recent months. A new Code of Administrative Offences, which comes into force on July 1, strengthens civil penalties for trade mark infringement, including the unprecedented provision for the seizure of counterfeit goods.

Numerous forms of IP rights insurance are now available. Janice Denoncourt argues that insurance can be used offensively and defensively and is something all IP owners should consider

The regional IP counsel of global corporation has to use many different skills, not just the ability to file a patent application. The job requires knowledge of numerous jurisdictions and other areas of law. John Treangen, regional counsel, intellectual property for Dow Chemical Pacific since 2000, describes his responsibilities and what Dow looks for in its outside counsel.

Patentees face a number of problems when seeking protection for protein structures at the EPO. Dr Joachim Wachenfeld and Dr Thomas Wilk of Vossius & Partner in Munich reveal some possible solutions

Results of appeals in domain name disputes should give trade mark owners a lot of hope. China’s judges are now prepared to declare what is well-known and what is not, explains Jin Ling

"There is a real emphasis in making sure that we recognize the international constituency and address its concerns"