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Sam Mamudi, Copenhagen

Ralph Cunningham, Hong Kong

As European politicians consider fundamental reforms to patent protection, one of the key questions they have to address is how to make the system more efficient. In particular, some critics believe Europe needs to look to the US model to improve its effectiveness. In a special MIP debate, Koos Rasser argues that the European patent system as it exists today is substantially inferior to that of the US, while Simon Mounteney says that, though not perfect, Europe offers many benefits to applicants

Rosella L Fernandez, assistant director, and Emma C Francisco, director general, Philippines Bureau of Patents

The situation of intellectual property protection in Russia has long been described by experts as disastrous. The share of illegal videocassettes in the Russian market is 50%, of audiocassettes 64%, and of DVDs almost 100%. In this connection, at the session held on October 3 2002 the Russian government determined the list of urgent anti-piracy measures. A specialized government committee led by the Prime Minister will be engaged in stage-by-stage development of the measures connected with intellectual property protection. It is supposed to improve the legislative base by working out amendments and changes into the existing laws and acceptance of new legal acts. Moreover, Russia intends to sign and ratify international agreements on copyright and related rights protection (namely, the International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations, the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty).

? Australia: David Clark has become a partner of Blake Dawson Waldron in its Sydney office, where he will set up the office's patent services group. He previously was a partner of Griffith Hack.

Vacuum cleaner maker Dyson has pocketed over £4 million ($6.24 million) in a settlement with rival Hoover. The settlement - £4 million plus costs and interest - comes just weeks before the High Court was due to decide what level of damages should be awarded against Hoover.

One might have thought that the question of the exhaustion of trade marks in the European Economic Area (EEA) had been resolved, or at least stabilized, to a certain extent.

James Hamilton, Philippe Signore and Christopher Ward explain why design patents are becoming more popular as a means of protection in the US

Singapore's patent rules have been amended this year to recognize search and examination reports and patents issued by the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) in the grant process of Singapore patents. Singapore patent applications with a priority filing date on or after August 15 2002, may rely on JPO search and examination reports and granted patents in place of local search and examination.