William New

William New

Manila Principles On Intermediary Liability Offer Vision For Balance

A new set of principles launched this week by a range of global non-governmental organisations attempts to set out guidelines for internet intermediaries’ liability for content of communications. The six principles, which are seeking endorsement from organisations and individuals worldwide, address freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to privacy.

Cuba, Large Friends, Trying To Corner US Into Compliance With WTO Rum Trademark Ruling

Better relations may be on the way for Cuba and the United States, but the thaw has yet to be seen in a longstanding World Trade Organization dispute over a Cuban rum trademark. As it has done for years, the United States today casually reported that there are several pieces of legislation in the US Congress that might bring it into compliance with a longstanding WTO ruling that found it in violation of WTO rules for a 1998 measure blocking a Cuban trademark from receiving due legal process in the US, where a US-friendly firm is using it.

Are Generics Companies Using Inter Partes Review To Overturn Patent Court Cases?

NEW YORK - Will generics companies use a win under the new inter partes review mechanism in the United States to overturn pharmaceutical patents in court? A top attorney for a pharmaceutical innovator company says they could indeed. Meanwhile, a new analysis of the inter partes review so far shows it may not be as much of a cause for alarm as previously thought.

In TPP, USTR Seeks To Boost Criminal Remedies Against IP Infringement

United States trade negotiators are seeking to set a "new regional standard" against intellectual property infringement in the Pacific region with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. And among the new tools it is seeking is to boost governments' ability to criminalise IP infringement based on government information as well as that of rights holders, a US trade official said this week.

Annual USTR Notorious Markets Report Points Fingers, Includes Domain Registrars For First Time

The fifth annual Office of the United States Trade Representative review of “notorious” intellectual property infringing markets has been released, pointing out the world’s biggest problem commercial-scale markets. And for the first time, the report takes aim at internet domain name registrars.

USPTO Acting Director Discusses Patent Quality, Pendency, Harmonisation

At today's meeting of the "trilateral offices" - the United States, Europe and Japan - Deputy Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office Michelle Lee gave an update of USPTO activities, including improvements in patent quality, patent pendency, and discussions about patent harmonisation.

At EPO, Patent Oppositions To High-Priced Gilead Hepatitis C Drug Pile Up

According to a public health advocacy group, there are now as many as 10 oppositions filed at the European Patent Office against the Gilead company's patent on sofosbuvir, a treatment for hepatitis C. The group has compiled a table showing the filings with links to the documents.