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news archive
page updated:
02 Oct 2008
selection of previous IP developments from "what's new"
 record
number of PCT applications filed in 2007 (21 feb 08)
Last year saw a further dramatic increase in new international patent
applications filed with the WIPO - the World IP Organisation - demonstrating
that this method is increasingly the preferred way to obtain essentially
worldwide protection for an invention. In total, a record 156,100
applications were filed in 2007, 4.7% more than in the previous year.
It took 18 years from the beginning of PCT operations in 1978 to reach
250,000 total applications, but only four years to double that figure (500,000),
and another four to double it again (1,000,000). For the fourth year
running, the most notable growth rates came from countries in north east Asia
(Japan, China, Republic of Korea) which accounted for over a quarter (25.8%) of
all PCT applications.
The largest sectors for new filings were telecommunications (10.5%),
information technology (10.1%) and pharmaceuticals (9.3%) and the fastest
growing technology areas are nuclear engineering (24.5% increase) and
telecommunications (15.5% increase).
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 looking
for patented technologies? - new searchable website of commercially available
technologies (14 feb 08)
Technology transfer managers and anyone doing research on patented or
emerging technologies now have a new resource at their finger-tips. A new
US based website has been launched - Spark-IP - which is aimed as a technology
exchange by including searchable technology listings from universities and
government labs around the world.
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 about
turn in UK practice on claiming computer related inventions (7
feb 08)
The UK IPO has amended its practice in this area following an important High
Court appeal decision by Kitchin J in Astron Clinica and others. As
a result, patents may now be allowed to protect a computer program if, but
only if, the program implements a patentable invention. This does not
mean that computer programs are generally patentable in the UK but it does allow
innovators to protect all aspects of their patentable inventions directly.
As such UK practice has returned to where it was before the landmark Aerotel/Macrossan
judgment.
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 fewer
translations needed for European patents after May (updated 23
feb 08)
The London Agreement under which countries forego the right to require
routinely a translation of the full text of a European patent designating their
country will now come into effect from 1st May 2008. This follows the
deposit of the formal ratification document at the German Ministry for Foreign
Affairs on 29th Jan. So far 13 countries have acceded to the Agreement.
UK businesses are expected to save
an estimated £10 million every year by not having to file unnecessary patent
translations, which can currently account for about 25% of the cost of an
average European patent application. The European Patent Office has estimated
that following implementation of the London Agreement, the cost of translations
to validate patents in the seven key countries will be reduced by about 45%.
New UK Minister for Intellectual Property Baroness Morgan (see
below) said:
“The French government has taken an historic step, which
brings about changes first conceived in Paris in 1999. The London Agreement
will greatly reduce the cost of patenting in Europe. Innovative UK companies
will find it easier to protect their ideas, and market new inventions,
benefiting consumers and the economy alike.”
For those countries party to the Agreement that do not have German, French or
English as a national language, no translation of the description will be
required if the European patent is in the EPO official language prescribed by
that country. These countries may still request translation of the claims into
their national language.
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 European
Commission has pharmaceutical sector in its sights in competition inquiry
(18 jan 08)
On 16th Jan the European Commission launched a wide-ranging competition
inquiry into the European pharma sector with a series of surprise visits to many
companies across Europe, both research based and generics. An interim
report is due later this year with the final version early in 2009.
 In
its press release, the Commission says that the inquiry "is a response to
indications that competition in pharmaceutical markets in Europe may not be
working well: fewer new pharmaceuticals are being brought to market, and the
entry of generic pharmaceuticals sometimes seems to be delayed."
The Commission wants to know the reasons for this and intends to look amongst
other things at patent and related IP policies and practices and agreements to
check whether competition laws are being complied with.
Launching such a sector inquiry with surprise inspections is
unprecedented. But, according to the Commission: "the kind of
information the Commission will be examining in this inquiry, notably
concerning the use of intellectual property rights, litigation and
settlement agreements covering the EU, is by its nature information that
companies tend to consider highly confidential. Such information may
also be easily withheld, concealed or destroyed. The Commission is keen
to have immediate access to all such company information and has
therefore ordered unannounced inspections."
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 change
of pitch for Lord Triesman (17 jan 08)
IP developments in the UK may be affected by the loss to the Football
Association of Lord Triesman, the current IP and Quality Minister in the
Department of Innovation, Universities and Science. On 16th January, the
FA Council formally confirmed him to become the first independent chairman of
the FA in succession to Geoff Thompson who has held the post for the last 9
years. Lord Triesman is expected to give up his government
responsibilities as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for IP and Quality
and take up his FA role as soon as possible.
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 changes to
UK copyright law in prospect? (18 dec 07 - updated 8 jan 08)
The Gowers report reviewing the intellectual property scene in the UK made a
number of recommendations for change in legal arrangements, particularly in the
area of copyright in the modern world. These included possible relaxation
of the UK's copyright rules to improve access and use of copyright material by
private individuals, students and libraries.
Lord Triesman, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
for Intellectual Property and Quality, launched the first stage of a two part public
consultation on possible changes in UK copyright law at the British Library
Conference Centre on Jan 8th. The deadline for responses to the first
stage consultation is 8 April 2008. The second stage will
involve consultation on a draft version of the possible legal provisions to
implement the changes.
Possible changes included in the consultation are greater freedom for
consumers to legally transfer music or films between, for example, CDs and an
MP3 player – so-called 'format-shifting'. Other proposals include changes to
enable schools and universities to make the most of digital technologies and
facilitate distance learning.
According to Lord Triesman:
"In an increasingly digital world, we need to be sure that our
copyright system keeps up with the times and works effectively.
"This consultation is part of a package of measures which is designed to do
just that. It explores where the boundaries lie between strong protection
for right holders and appropriate levels of access for users. A system
valued by right holders and respected by users is critical to the success of
UK creativity."
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 US moves to curb piracy and counterfeiting in
proposed new IP laws (10 dec 07)
The Judiciary Committee of the US House of
Representatives is considering new, bipartisan legislation to strengthen IP
protection mainly in the area of creative and digital rights: bill
HR4279
"Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (“PRO IP”)
Act of 2007" - introduced on 5th Dec. The proposed legislation is primarily focused on specific
improvements against copyright and TM infringement but it would also strengthen the
approach to IP enforcement in general (including patents) in the US and internationally.
Under the new proposals, a new Office of the United States Intellectual Property
Enforcement Representative (USIPER), would be set up in the Executive Office of the
President, to enhance nationwide and international coordination of
intellectual property enforcement efforts. In addition, IP officers
would be appointed to work with foreign countries
to help combat counterfeiting and piracy and a new, permanent IP Division
would be established in the Department of Justice to improve
the coordination of law enforcement.
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European patents to apply in 34 countries from 1st Jan 08 
Croatia and Norway
 will
become members of the European Patent Convention (EPC) with effect from 1 Jan 08
joining the existing 32 states benefitting from the European patent system under
which a single application and examination system can lead to a bundle of
equivalent patents in designated EPC states.
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first chair of new UK IP strategic advisory board (SABIP) appointed
(9 mar 08)
The UK IPO has published a press release announcing that Joly Dixon, CMG has
been appointed as Chair of the new Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual
Property for an initial period of 2 years.
In making the formal appointment, John Denham, Secretary of State for
Innovation, Universities and Skills said:
"I am delighted to appoint Joly Dixon as the inaugural Chair of SABIP. He
brings a breadth of experience, a strategic insight into IP and leadership
skills which will be key to the success of SABIP’s work. Baroness Morgan,
Minister for Intellectual Property, and I look forward to working with him".
Mr Dixon will join the selection panel to appoint up to 9 members of the
Board at the end of March. Ministers are expected to make the formal
appointments early in April after which SABIP will start work.
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US
Court prevents Patent & Trademark Office from implementing new rules of
practice (31 oct 07)
On October 31, 2007, Judge Cacheris of the Eastern District of
Virginia granted a preliminary injunction sought by the pharmaceutical
company GlaxoSmithKline preventing the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
from implementing on November 1 new rules governing patent practice.
The new rules would have introduced widespread changes to the way in
which patent applications would be handled including restricting the
number of continuing applications and independent claims per
application. From the time when the proposed rules were first published
for public comment in January 2007, there have been extensive protests
from patent owners and practitioners alike about the content and scope
of the rules. The court action by GSK in Virginia was widely supported
by industry and patent practitioners and the preliminary injunction
provides some time for the USPTO perhaps to reconsider the position.
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China cracks down on sub-standard goods (30 oct 07)
On Monday the Chinese General Administration for Quality Supervision,
Inspection and Quarantine said it had arrested 774 people in a crackdown
on substandard goods, part of ongoing efforts to calm international
worries over the quality of the country's products. The arrests were
the result of nationwide criminal investigations into the manufacture
and sale of fake or substandard food, medicine or agricultural products
between August and mid-October.
Inspections have targeted farm produce, processed food makers,
restaurants and manufacturers and importers of medicines. According to
a government statement, 667 tons of unauthorised or fake food products
had been destroyed by October 8.
As a measure of how seriously the government is taking matters, the
former head of the SFDA the Chinese food and drug regulator was executed
in August for taking bribes to allow untested medicines onto the
market. This has coincided with a comprehensive review of the thousands
of drug products approved whilst he was in charge of the SFDA.
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Harry Potter and IP rights (24 oct 07)
The challenges to copyright and other IP rights posed by the enormous
commercial success of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books are described in an article by Elisabeth March in the September issue of the WIPO
magazine. "The success of her creative works has brought J.K. Rowling enough
wealth to pack the vaults of Gringotts Bank. It has, moreover, created huge
revenues for license and rights holders throughout the copyright-based
industries.
Success, however, brings in its wake free-riders seeking to
profit from - or help themselves to - the creative output of
others. J.K. Rowling's lawyers have had their hands full
defending her copyright against infringers.
The infringements have taken more different forms than
Rowling's shape-shifting Boggart. Entire scanned copies of the
books have been uploaded and distributed across the Internet.
J.K. Rowling launched several legal actions against users of the
e-Bay online auction site this year, alleging that they were
selling illegal e-books of her work."
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The power of colour in branding - the colour of money (17 oct 07)
In an interesting article in the The Independent, Richard Gillis looks at the
way in which colours are being used in promoting brands for a diverse range of
products and services.
read the article:
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Scope of European design right clarified by
UK Appeal Court (11 oct 07)
In an important Appeal Court judgment, Lord
Justice Jacob has provided further guidance on how registered European Community
design rights should be interpreted. The appeal arose in an
infringement suit brought by Proctor & Gamble (P&G) against Reckitt Benckiser (RB)
in connection with their Air-Wick Odour Stop room air conditioner.
P&G use their registered design in a number of EU countries (but not yet in the
UK) for their sprayer air-freshener product, Febreze. The RB spray canister had
earlier been held to infringe the P&G design.
In allowing the RB appeal of non-infringement,
the judge stated:
"...you need clear blue water between the
registered design and the "prior art", otherwise there is a real risk that
design monopolies will or may interfere with routine, ordinary, minor, every-day
design modifications – what patent lawyers call "mere workshop modifications."
But no such policy applies to the scope of protection. It is sufficient to avoid
infringement if the accused product is of a design which produces a "different
overall impression." There is no policy requirement that the difference be
"clear." If a design differs, that is enough – an informed user can
discriminate."
read the decision:
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Cheaper European patents in sight after French parliament vote
(10 oct 07)
In a historic development, on Tuesday the French Senate voted in favour of a
bill allowing France to ratify the London agreement under which countries forego
the right to require routinely a translation of the full text of a European
patent designating their country. The French President is expected to sign
the bill into law shortly so that France will ratify the agreement allowing the
new arrangements to go into effect for newly granted European patents 3 months
later i.e. early in 2008.
Currently it is necessary to file translations of the complete text of a
European patent into the national language of each designated country.
Once the London Agreement is in effect countries with English, French or German
as their national language will no longer require translations of patents filed
in one of the other two official languages. Other countries will designate one
of the three as their official language for patents, whilst still allowing
applicants to file in the local language. It will still be necessary to
file translations of the claims of the granted patent into the national language
and a full translation will be required if the national patent is litigated.
But elimination of the need to translate the complete text will drastically
reduce the amount of translation with significant cost savings for applicants.
Of the 32 current signatories to the European Patent Convention, with France
12 countries will have signed up to the London agreement including the UK,
Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. More countries are expected to
join soon following the move by France and so the need for full translations
should be further reduced.
More information on the London agreement:
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UK trade mark examination practice changed for "similar" marks (14 sep
07)
From 1st October, UK trade mark examiners will no longer refuse applications
because earlier similar trade marks. Instead they will simply inform the
applicant and the holder of the earlier mark, the latter may then wish to
oppose the application and the former may wish to reconsider proceeding with the
application. This is intended to ensure that applications will only be
blocked when they affect the trading interests of others. This change
brings UK trade mark law and practice into closer alignment with that in Europe
and WIPO.
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US patent reform progresses in Congress (8 Sep 07)
Major reforms to the US patent system with implications for all technology
companies doing business in the USA took a step nearer yesterday. The
House of Representatives passed the amended bill HR 1908 which has bipartisan
support by 220 votes to 175.
The provisions in the bill would change the basis on
which US patents are awarded so that the first person to
file an application would receive the patent rather than
the person who was the first inventor. This would
align the US with the practice in other countries and do
away with the protracted and complex inventorship
contests - patent interferences - to decide who
was the first inventor.
A new procedure would be introduced to allow third
parties to challenge patents within a year of grant and
to introduce prior-art evidence during examination of
applications.
For patent litigation, there would be restrictions on
where suits could be filed to prevent possible "forum
shopping" for favourable district venues for the
litigation. When assessing damages, Courts would
be expected to consider the value of the patent itself
and not just the product involved. It would also
be possible to appeal District Court rulings on
interpretation of claims when they were made during the
proceedings.
The bill was strongly supported by a consortium including software, financial
services and media groups (the
Coalition
for patent fairness) which has been concerned about the
commercial impact of an increasing number of patents of doubtful validity.
Several provisions in bill were opposed by a consortium including manufacturing,
IT, consumer products, pharmaceutical and bio-technology groups (the
Coalition for 21st century patent reform)
who were concerned to see any weakening of the effect of granted patents.
This consortium managed to get some amendments introduced to the House bill
which are not yet present in the counterpart Senate bill S 1145.
The Bush Administration for its part broadly supports the
proposed patent reforms but opposes any limits on the discretion of a
court in determining damages adequate to compensate for an infringement.
The US Senate still has to vote on the counterpart bill S 1145
before it is passed to the President for signature. Consequently, with the
impending elections in 2008, it may still be some time yet before the US patent
law is reformed.
read more:
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International
design registration for EU designers simplified in 2008
(10 Aug 07)
It will soon be possible with a single international application to obtain
protection for designs both throughout the EU and also in countries which are
signatories to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement governing the international
registration of industrial designs. This follows the European Commission's
recent adoption of the two Regulations necessary for the EU to accede to the
Agreement. The Geneva Act allows design protection to be sought in a
number of countries using a single international application filed with the
International Bureau of WIPO, replacing a whole series of separate national or
regional registrations. The simplified international procedure should be
possible for EU applicants from Jan 2008. As yet there are only 23
countries which are signatories to the Hague Agreement - the USA and Japan are
not signatories.
read more:
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Indian High Court rejects Novartis challenge to law
on pharmaceutical patents (9 Aug 07)
In an important decision affecting the way in which patents on new
pharmaceutical products will be granted in India, the High Court in Chennai
dismissed (6 Aug) a challenge by Novartis to the constitutionality of section
3(d) of the Indian Patent Act. This section prevents the patenting of
certain new forms and derivatives of known pharmaceutical substances unless they
"result in an enhancement of the known efficacy of that substance".
The Court said that it was for the World Trade Organization (WTO) forum to resolve any
TRIPS compliance question.
The constitutional challenge was brought by Novartis as part of their response
to the Indian Patent Office's rejection last year of their patent application
for the anti-cancer drug GLIVEC on which they had already been granted patents
in about 40 countries. A separate appeal
against the rejection of the GLIVEC patent application is before the newly
established Intellectual Property Appellate Board.
read more:
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Portugal backs centralised litigation and Community
Patent (EPO press release: 25 jul 07)
Portugal, which recently took over the EU presidency,
has outlined its plans to move discussions on a European
patent litigation system and the Community Patent forward
over the next six months.
According to a document presented to the Working Party on
Intellectual Property, the Portuguese Presidency has
scheduled four Council Working Parties for the second half
of 2007. The first three will be concerned with litigation,
with the fourth group concentrating on open issues
surrounding the Community Patent.
read more:
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New UK Department of Innovation, Universities and
Skills: DIUS
(updated 13 jul 07)
John Denham has been appointed to UK prime minister Gordon Brown's first
cabinet as Secretary of State for the newly created Department for Innovation,
Universities and Skills. This new Department will now have responsibility
for the UK IP Office which previously reported into the Department for Trade and
Industry. The website for the new department is
http://www.dius.gov.uk/.
Lord Triesman is appointed as the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
for Intellectual Property and Quality. He is also the Lords Minister
for the whole Department and responsible for:
- The Student Loans Company (and Customer First programme)
- The student loan debt sale
- Endowments and voluntary giving for higher education
- Quality assurance of Higher Education
- UK Intellectual Property Office
- Students as ‘customers’
- Scenario building across DIUS
- Departmental efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability.
In a written Parliamentary answer, Gordon Brown explained the new department:
"In the years ahead, countries will increasingly derive their competitive edge
from the speed with which they are able to innovate, building on a world-class
research base, creating new products and markets and driving enterprise and
efficiency. Seizing these new opportunities will also require a world-class
skills base - both through the expansion of high-end graduate skills, but also
by raising the skills of the wider adult workforce, including those currently
unskilled.
To ensure that Britain is equipped to meet these challenges I am today
announcing the formation of a new Department for Innovation, Universities and
Skills (DIUS).
The new Department will be responsible for driving forward delivery of the
Government's long-term vision to make Britain one of the best places in the
world for science, research and innovation, and to deliver the ambition of a
world-class skills base.
It will therefore assume responsibility from the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) for science and innovation - including ensuring world-class
research and increased business innovation. The Department will oversee the
science budget, which will remain ring-fenced and the dual support system for
funding will be retained. A new Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser will be
created within the Department.
The new Department will also assume responsibility for ensuring that the UK has
the skilled workforce it needs to compete in a global economy.
The Department will, therefore, be responsible for the development, funding and
performance management of higher education (both teaching and research) and
further education, working closely with the Department for Children, Schools and
Families. The Department will also be responsible for taking forward the
Government's wider skills agenda - including the implementation of Lord Leitch's
Review of Skills, published last year."
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Green light for IP Charter for public
research institutions and universities (CORDIS
news report 27 jun 07)
The European Commission has received the green light
to draft a new charter for the management of intellectual property
rights. This is good news for European research, says Klaus Uckel of the
German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), who believes
that the initiative will help put a stop to the uncontrolled outflow of
knowledge as well as piracy, and will help boost European
competitiveness.
The 'IP Charter', a proposal from the German EU Council Presidency,
would comprise a set of non-legally binding basic principles and
guidelines, upon which research partners could voluntarily base their
research cooperation. The approach is similar to that of the 2005
European Charter for Researchers, which provides voluntary guidelines on
appropriate working conditions for researchers.
Speaking at a briefing in the European Parliament on 26 June, Mr Uckel
noted that the Charter for Researchers has been widely adopted by
universities and research institutes across Europe, and is seen as a
tool to attract the best researchers. 'The fear is that by not signing
the Charter, organisations will get left behind,' he said, adding that
industry is also beginning to adopt the charter.
A variety of national and supra-national tools already exist to help
universities and other public research establishments to better manage
their knowledge. These include, among other tools, the UK Lambert
Agreements, the Responsible Partnering Initiative, and European
Commission guidelines. Meanwhile, collaborative research under the EU
Framework Programme is governed by rules of participation, which
provides an IP framework for the project partners.
'There are lots of best practices already on the table,' said Mr Uckel.
'But these now need a strong political push. The charter aims to give a
political framework to these practices.' He added that the charter would
be broad enough and sufficiently all-encompassing to be consistent with
national arrangements and the EU research framework rules for
participation.
There is a real need for an EU-wide framework, outlining the principles
of IP management for universities and research centres, because a lack
of professionalism is causing us to lose our know-how and leading to an
ever-growing innovation gap between Europe and its global competitors,
believes Mr Uckel.
One problem that has arisen as a result of having no common approach to
settling IP issues is product piracy. It is estimated that illegal
competitive practices are costing Germany alone €25 billion a year.
European innovation is also suffering as a result of the very different
approaches taken by industry and public research institutes to managing
intellectual property. Whereas researchers are mainly interested in
publishing their work, industry is interested in preventing disclosure
and in filing for and exploiting protective rights.
An IP charter would not only be able to initiate a process of
awareness-raising on the importance of better IP management, says Mr
Uckel; it would also promote a better understanding of research
partners' positions. If cooperation between industry and academia is
made easier, research institutions would be able to tap into funding
sources more easily, while European industry would become more
competitive since it would have more chances to commercialise innovative
inventions. 'The Charter will help change the culture of European
research,' surmised Mr Uckel.
Having a common approach to IP management would also ensure that
research partners from Europe could better negotiate contracts with
international partners. Countries such as the US and Japan are well
versed in IP management, says Mr Uckel. But European research
institutions and researchers find themselves in a weaker negotiating
position, because they are unfamiliar with the many different IP rules
and practices. A charter would help reduce any uncertainties, enabling
European partners to refer to a common frame of reference.
Having received political backing from the Competitiveness Council on 25
June, the Commission will now push ahead with drafting the Charter,
which Mr Uckel expects to be ready by the autumn.
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Norway to join EPO (EPO press release -
13 jun 07)
Norway is set to become a member of the European Patent Organisation on 1
January 2008, according to a decision taken by parliament this week.
In its session on 11 June the parliament voted to ratify and accede to the
European Patent Convention (EPC).
As a participant and signatory at the 1973 Munich diplomatic conference, the
Scandinavian country has been entitled to join since the EPO was founded. It is
the only participant that has not yet become a member of the Organisation.
Norway intends to deposit the instruments of ratification with the German
government in October, in accordance with the rules set out in the EPC, and it
is expected to become a member at the start of 2008.
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McCreevy calls for patent reforms (EPO
press release - 4 jun 07)
European Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has stressed
the importance of reforms to the patent system in
strengthening Europe's single market.
Speaking at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce on 30 May, he
said: "A market with twenty-seven sets of national IP rules
is tailor made to segment markets and limit the rewards to
innovation."
Commissioner McCreevy, who is responsible for the
Internal Market and Services, said that "promoting
innovation to maintain our global position in the face of
tough competition from emerging economies" is one of the top
five priorities guiding the single market.
"We are working with governments and businesses across
the European Union to secure agreement to a Community
patent, which would grant innovators IP protection
throughout the single market," he said.
"We are also working to establish a unified
jurisdictional system for litigating patents in Europe. Such
a system should bring more legal certainty. It should also
simplify the patent litigation landscape and render the
patent system more attractive to users."
The comments echoed Commission Vice-President Günter
Verheuegen's statement to the European Patent Forum in April
that "an incomplete European patent system puts European
businesses at a competitive disadvantage".
At the same meeting, Commissioner
Verheugen said he expected the Community
Patent to become reality "in the next
five years".
Speaking in Nicosia, Commissioner
McCreevy said that the central question
is "how we remain competitive; how
Europe can deliver the new jobs and
growth over the long term".
"As the Commission and the European
Council have made clear - in our shared
Lisbon goals - Europe's future
prosperity rests on knowledge and
innovation," he said.
Related items:
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new e-learning modules available from EPO: EPC 2000 training
(may 07)
The European Patent office now offers a
range of e-learning modules covering the European patent system,
searching and documentation and the special topics: patent valuation and PCT use
in China.
A
recent module provides a good overview of the main features of the
revised European Patent Convention (EPC 2000) which will come into effect on
13th December 2007.
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controversy on reforming the US patent laws continues (may 07)
Two separate coalitions of firms are lobbying for different changes to the US
patent laws. Two parallel bills have already been introduced into the
House and Senate with provisions which could transform several of the features
of US patent law which have made it distinct from most other national patent
laws e.g. moving to a system awarding a patent to the first inventor to file a
patent application rather than the first one to make the invention.
For more information, see the e websites of the two main lobbying coalitions:
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UK-IPO restructuring - new Copyright and Enforcement Directorate
(17 may
07)
Ian Fletcher, the new Chief Executive of the UK Intellectual Property Office
has started his tenure by quickly restructuring the existing IP Policy
Directorate. According to a briefing note from the Office, a new Copyright
and Enforcement Directorate is being set up "with immediate effect" to help in
establishing a "modern, fit for purpose copyright framework, education and
enforcement infrastructure" to help the Office "meet the challenges of
globalisation and the digital age in the post Gowers world."
Duncan Wearmouth will lead the new Directorate on an interim basis until the
permanent Director is appointed. The remaining IP policy and international
activities will continue to be handled by the existing IP and Innovation
Directorate led by Liz Coleman.
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European Commission publishes strategy for enhancing the patent system in
Europe (3 apr 07:
EC Single Market - Patents)
The European Commission has set out its vision, in the form of a
Communication, for improving the patent system in Europe and for revitalising
the debate on this issue. Making the Community patent a reality and improving
the existing patent litigation system should, together with supporting measures,
make the patent system more accessible and bring cost savings for all.
Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said: "Patents are a
driving force for promoting innovation, growth and competitiveness, but the
single market for patents is still incomplete. Our 2006 stakeholder consultation
showed that the EU simply must deliver, in particular on the Community patent
and sound litigation arrangements, because in today's increasingly competitive
global economy Europe cannot afford to lose ground in an area as crucial as
patent policy. That is why I propose to have a fresh look at the various options
and to work with the Council and the Parliament towards political consensus on
real improvement of the patent system."
The Communication highlights that Europe's current patent system is
considerably more expensive than the US and Japanese systems. A Community
patent would be far more attractive than models under the present system which
is a bundle of national patents. A European patent designating 13 countries is
11 times more expensive than a US patent and 13 times more expensive then a
Japanese patent. The existing system of patent litigation in the EU, with the
risk of multiple patent litigation in several countries on the same patent
issue, leads to unnecessary costs for all the parties involved and causes lack
of legal certainty.
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US Patent & Trademark Office launches
national campaign to inspire young inventors (10
apr 07:
USPTO
press release)
The United States Patent and Trademark Office, together with the
Advertising Council and the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation (NIHFF),
today launched a national, multimedia public service advertising (PSA)
campaign to engage a new generation of children in innovation. The
campaign seeks to make inventing and developing new ideas part of
American children's lives. The PSAs, which can be
viewed
online, are being distributed to 28,000 media stations
nationwide this week. All of the new PSAs will air and run in
advertising time and space donated by the media. The spots direct
viewers to a website that has been created for the campaign,
InventNow.org.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez unveiled the Inspiring
Invention campaign at the National Press Club. "In an innovation-driven
economy, the key to our future success and competitiveness lies in
making sure we are sharing America's culture of innovation with our
young people," said Gutierrez. "In doing so, we will prepare them to
compete more effectively in the global marketplace and ensure that the
United States maintains our global economic leadership."
USPTO's Under Secretary Jon Dudas was also on hand to unveil the
campaign. "We see the Inspiring Invention campaign as a wonderful
opportunity to show kids how fun and rewarding it can be to create. We
hope that children who watch these ads will want to become more
inventive; explore math, science, and other creative fields; and then
share their new ideas -- to continue America's legacy of innovation."
For generations, the United States has been a recognized global
leader in technology and innovation. While the country represents only 5
percent of the world's population, it accounts for nearly one-third of
the world's science and engineering researchers and 40 percent of all
research and development, according to the Council on Competitiveness
However, with increased economic competition globally, it's widely
recognized that the United States must take steps now to maintain its
leadership. In particular, America must ensure we inspire future
generations of innovators.
The new campaign, created in conjunction with ad agency Publicis &
Hal Riney in San Francisco, aims to inspire children (specifically the "tweens,"
ages 8 to 11) to recognize how their imaginations can lead to the
technological advances of the future. The campaign communicates that
there is a role for every kind of unique curiosity and imaginative idea
as it relates to invention. Ultimately, the goal is to motivate children
to pursue inventing and innovating as part of their educations and,
later, in their careers.
Developed with extensive research with inventors and children, the
campaign includes new television, radio, outdoor and Web advertising
that feature ordinary children creating inventions to solve everyday
problems. The PSAs communicate to children that "anything is possible"
and encourage them to "keep thinking." The ads direct audiences to visit
a new comprehensive website,
www.InventNow.org, to explore and discover their own innate
inventiveness and curiosity. Designed by VPI (Visual Perspectives
Internet), the site features interactive games and allows children to
explore their inventive interests in space, sports, design and
entertainment.
"Research conducted for our new campaign found that children are
naturally curious and inventive, but they do not realize the impact of
their creativity," according to Peggy Conlon, President & CEO of the Ad
Council. "We are proud to join with the United States Patent and
Trademark Office and The National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation on
this wonderful effort to help children see that there are no limits to
their creativity and imagination and that they can have a role in the
technological advances of our future if they just 'keep thinking."
The "Inspiring Invention" campaign is one of several educational
initiatives in which The National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation and
the United States Patent and Trademark Office partner to encourage
children to think inventively. Among these initiatives are the National
Inventors Hall of Fame's Camp Invention and Club Invention programs,
which are supported by the USPTO. Camp Invention, now in its 17th year,
is a summer day camp that fosters creativity and inventive thinking
skills that allow children to learn through hands-on activities, subject
immersion, and discovery. In 2007, more than 60,000 students will attend
Camp Invention in 47 states. Club Invention is an after-school program
directed by the Hall of Fame that extends scientific inquiry-based
education to after-school sites
National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee and inventor of the modern
microphone Dr. James West said, "This campaign relates directly to our
mission of inspiring invention and creativity. It's a prime opportunity
for us to capture the attention of children and share with them the
wonders of science and technology, inspiring them enough to become
involved in life-long endeavours in these fields. Our future, and
theirs, will be much richer because of it."
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new patent search tool from Google
(14 dec 06: from
TechNewsWorld)
On 14th December Google released a
beta version of its new patent search tool that lets users
search the full text of granted US patents.
Google Patent Search covers the entire
collection of about 7 million patents made available by the
US Patent and Trademark Office - from patents issued in the
1790s through those issued in the middle of 2006.
An "Advanced Patent Search" page allows users to drill down
to specific criteria, including patent number, inventor and
filing date. Google Patent Search uses much of the same
technology that powers Google Book Search.
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page updated:
02 Oct 2008
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