Category Patents/Designs/Trade Secrets

Clinton Lays Out Presidential Tech & Innovation Plans

US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has issued highlights of her plan to boost the nation's competitiveness in and attention to technology, internet and innovation if elected. The platform hits many of the latest issues and buzzwords in those fields, continuing existing programs but also pushing further in some areas. Among the plans: appoint a chief innovation advisor, reduce frivolous patent litigation, support allowing the US Patent and Trademark Office to keep its fees, boost access to orphan copyrighted works and open licensing, support multi-stakeholder internet governance, and keep the internet open worldwide. Clinton also gave a nod to personal privacy online and took a jab at the SOPA bill that was defeated for over-reaching on behalf of IP rightsholders.

National Parliaments Not Needed For CETA Approval, European Commission President Juncker Says

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said today that the European Union would not include national parliaments of EU member states in the final decision on the Canada-EU Trade Agreement (CETA). Juncker's CETA statement was made during the post-Brexit meeting of EU heads of state in Brussels today (28 June), several German newspapers reported quoting the German News Agency (DPA).

WHO Names New Head Of Health Emergencies

The World Health Organization has named veteran health crisis expert Peter Salama of Australia the next head of the Health Emergencies Programme, a high-profile position for the UN agency's leadership against outbreaks and disasters.

WIPO Patent Law Committee Undertakes Many Issues This Week

The World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP) is meeting this week. Among the possible agenda items: updates to the international patent system, exceptions and limitations to patents, quality of patents, patents and health, confidentiality of client-patent advisor communications, and technology transfer. A recent developed country proposal relates to increased work-sharing among patent offices. Also on the table this week is a new proposal to study the assessment of inventive step by patent practitioners.

Russia Centralizes State Power In The Field Of IP Rights

The Russian government has officially adopted a package of measures aimed at tightening state control for the observance of intellectual property rights in the country. This will take place through the introduction of a new system of IP management and implementation of other measures, according to recent statements of Oleg Fomichev, Russia’s deputy minister for economic development.

LinkedIn’s Patent Portfolio; Looking For Hidden Gems

John Sullivan writes: It's obvious that this acquisition isn’t necessarily about the IP assets of LinkedIn. However, let’s have a closer look at LinkedIn’s portfolio to see if there are any hidden gems inside that would represent a nice fringe benefit to what already looks like a mutually beneficial acquisition.

US High Court Inter Partes Review Leaves Patent Holders Dissatisfied

A 20 June decision by the Supreme Court upholding US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rules for inter partes review of patents isn't helpful to patent owners, according to several attorneys. The ruling in Cuozzo Speed Technologies, LLC v. Lee (No. 15-446) disappointed expectations for another pro-patent holder decision following a 13 June ruling in another case, said Proskauer patent lawyer Baldassare Vinti. USPTO Director Michelle Lee, however, said the decision would allow the office to continue resolving patentability disputes via less expensive alternatives to litigation.

WTO Reports On IP Trends In G20 Countries

As part of a larger report on the G20 top global economies, the World Trade Organization has provided a discussion of policy developments in trade and intellectual property. This includes a look at international policy actions, recent agreements, and national legislation and trends.