Category Europe

Industry Offers Rankings, Recommendations On Illicit Trade In Asia

Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong lead the way on preventing illicit trade, followed by Japan and South Korea, according to an industry index released this week. China came in slightly above midpoint on the index, while Lao and Myanmar were at the bottom. Among the recommendations by industry were to establish custom information systems and infringement procedures to deter illicit trading. Intellectual property protection was rated as fundamental in the fight against such trade.

EU Patent Court Launch Uncertain But Will Happen, Says Preparatory Committee Chief

LONDON -- Britain's vote to leave the European Union is just another “speed bump” along the path to a European unified patent and patent court, the head of the committee tasked with preparing the way for the new system said during a lively session at the 13 October London IP Summit. Others aren't so sure, since Brexit has raised many complex questions, not least of which is whether there is the political will in the UK or EU to move ahead.

German High Court Paves Way For Government To Sign CETA, Hands Down Conditions

The German Constitutional Court in a fast-track decision today rejected the granting of emergency injunctions against a German signature of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) of Europe with Canada.

EPO Staff Seek WIPO-Style Disciplinary Guidelines As Reports Show High Levels Of Discontent

With management-staff relations at the European Patent Office still spiralling downward, staff members are pressing the office's governing council to consider adopting proposed disciplinary and investigation guidelines currently under discussion in the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Facebook Crowned Privacy Villain Of 2016 By European Privacy Rights Group

A European civil society group defending rights and freedoms in the digital environment awarded Facebook the Belgian Big Brother Awards 2016 yesterday.

CETA To Be Signed (Again) During EU-Canada Summit In Mid-October

European Union trade ministers at an informal meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia today agreed on the final steps to enact CETA, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU. There will be no other reopening of the text, assured EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem after the meeting. But ministers have agreed, according to Slovak Minister of Economy Peter Ziga, that some sensitive issues have to be straightened out in an additional annex to the CETA text.

European Cooperation Against Counterfeits Online: Sporting Goods Industry Joins Team

The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) and the European Commission recently signed a memorandum of understanding that sets out to “establish a code of practice in the fight against the sale of counterfeit goods over the internet and to enhance collaboration between the signatories.”