Category Patents/Designs/Trade Secrets

Officials Urge Progress On Law To Boost Science, Innovation In Thailand

By Sinfah Tunsarawuth for Intellectual Property Watch BANGKOK – Recently enacted legislation establishing a national plan on science, technology and innovation is expected to boost Thailand’s competitiveness in science and technology, according to government officials. But it needs a renewed…

US IP Industry Group Pushes ‘Green’ Patents; Adopts Resolution On Compulsory Licences

By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch
BOSTON - More companies have joined a global effort to improve the environment by pledging "green" patents for use in the public domain. Meanwhile, a US IP law group passed a resolution on IP and public health, including provisions urging restriction of compulsory licences.

US Judge: US Patent Law Destabilising; ‘Right To Patent’ Under Attack

By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch
BOSTON - Patent law in the United States is in danger of becoming "highly destabilised" as well-funded competing interests try to vie for legislators' ears in Washington, a federal judge said Tuesday.

Speaking here to participants at the Harvard Law School Conference on Intellectual Property Law, the Hon. Paul R. Michel, chief circuit judge for the US Court of Appeals for the federal circuit, said such a disruption could have huge consequences for inventions, investment, property of individual companies, and economies.

Top IP-Owning Nations Claim Faster Patent Processing; Near Harmonisation Deal

By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch
BOSTON - Japan next month will roll out a new patent process which aims to examine a patent application anywhere from two weeks to one month from receipt of request. Meanwhile, the United States said patent harmonisation among top IP countries is near, and a client privilege treaty was discussed.

Access To Knowledge Conference Begins Addressing New Challenges With New Ideas

By Kaitlin Mara A key conference on access to knowledge opened Monday, with veterans of the A2K movement mixed with many new faces and all participants hoping to find new ideas over the next few days, as they seek to…

US Presidential Candidates Prioritise IP Issues But Diverge On Details

By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch
The presidential election in the United States is getting down to the wire, with Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama being officially chosen as their parties' nominees.

The intellectual property community is taking particular note of what positions the candidates are taking on patent reform, copyright enforcement, internet neutrality, and a host of other issues. Both campaigns have a plethora of expertise in the form of law professors, patent lawyers, and others advising them, either informally or formally.

Appropriate IP System Touted For Local Science-Based Industry In Islamic Nations

By Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch Growth of intellectual property rights depends on the level of technological development and most Islamic countries are seen as marginalised and scientifically lagging least-developed countries. This has led some experts in the region…