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Dr Bernhard Fischer, of Bardehle Pagenberg Dost Altenburg Geissler Isenbruck in Munich, examines recent developments on the use of research tool patents in Germany

The Czech Republic has modified its IP laws to harmonize with the European Union. Karel Cermak, of Cermak Horejs Myslil in Prague explains the changes

France: Lovells will merge with French firm Siméon & Associés, effective November 1. The combined Paris office will have 25 partners and more than 80 other attorneys.

One of the most fundamental biotechnology inventions is due to be tested in a Massachusetts district court, after Applied Molecular Evolution (AME) filed a patent infringement suit against Morphosys on June 26. AME owns a licence to six patents filed by Stuart Kauffman covering directed evolution technology. The patents have been described by Nature Biotechnology magazine as being as important as those filed by Cohen and Boyer in the first generation of biotechnology.

Name partner Aurelio Perani and his two sons have left Italian firm Jacobacci & Perani and established another practice following divisions within the firm's management. Aurelio Perani was a partner in the trade mark and patent agency Jacobacci & Perani's Milan office. His son Paolo was a partner in Studio Legale Jacobacci e Perani, where younger brother Andreo was an associate.

The Russian Patent and Trademark Office (Rospatent) has approved Anheuser-Busch's application to register the Bud trade mark in Russia, following a 12-year battle with Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar.

On June 18 and 19, MIP held its first IP Forum at Simpson's in the Strand in London, sponsored by IP law firm Morgan & Finnegan. Nearly 30 speakers covered a range of topical issues, with a particular focus on the latest developments in the US. The conference opened with a keynote speech by Todd Dickinson, former director of the PTO, outlining recent changes to IP law in the US. The first day covered patent developments such as business methods, gene patents, litigation, trade secrets and damages. Day one concluded with a panel session on European litigation and a cocktail reception.

Victims of trade secrets misappropriation often seek monetary awards to compensate for their loss. John P Fry and Robert L Lee analyze how US courts have calculated damages in recent trade secrets cases

Tegal Corp v Tokyo Electron Co, 58 USPQ2d 1791 (Fed Cir, May 14 2001) involves the interesting issue of what constitutes conduct contemptuous of an injunction against wilful patent infringement under US law.

Flairis Technology (Flairis), a local contract manufacturer, has obtained a court injunction to stop four of its ex-staff from using the company's trade secrets after quitting to join a competitor.