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Georgia is an independent state which gained independence after the disintegration of the Soviet Union at the beginning of the decade. Prior to independence, all patent matters were dealt with centrally from Moscow which inevitably affected the potential of local patent experts.

The Polish Parliament (Seym) continues to work on improving the system of industrial property protection. It seems the long-lasting and thorough discussions on legal solutions which are to be introduced are coming to an end. However, it does not seem possible that the new Industrial Property Law will come into force on January 1 2000, as it was suggested by the Polish government. The above date of implementation of new regulations adapted to the standards of the European Union would be highly desirable because as from January 1 2000 Poland will be fully bounded by the TRIPs provisions.

Shape trade marks are registrable in Australia by virtue of the Trade Marks Act 1995. As yet there is little case law on the subject but a recent decision of the Australian Trade Marks Office, Re Chocolaterie Guylian NV, gives an insight into considerations that will be made during examination of applications for registration of shape trade marks.

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear: the winning formula

Merger set to create world’s biggest IP firm

Registration of a trade mark in the Czech Republic is not conditioned by its compulsory use, but the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic shall in compliance with Section 25, subsection 1b cancel the trade mark from the register if in the course of proceedings initiated by a third party or ex officio it finds that the trade mark has not been used in the Czech Republic for at least five years prior to the initiation of the cancellation proceeding and its proprietor fails to present cogent reason for its non-use. Use of a trade mark by a third party based on an agreement is considered to be a proper use.

South Africa has had more than its fair share of controversy recently.

Four months in the making, the World IP Survey is this year bigger than ever.

The Internet is the latest technological battleground in the competition between Asia’s IP firms.

Ten years after the fall of communism, eastern Europe’s IP practitioners are coming to grips with fundamental changes and some are even looking forward to EU membership.