Category Europe

WHO Performance Undermined By Inadequate EU Collaboration

Though the WHO is among the recipients of EU contributions, support should be scaled up now that the WHO fears program cuts because of a persistent funding crisis. Revenues from a Financial Transaction Tax would be a resource for the EU to partly allocate for WHO needs, writes Daniele Dionisio.

European Parliament: No More Bank Data Transfers To US For Anti-Terror Investigations

The European Parliament is showing some teeth again. Following the ongoing revelations of mass surveillance by US intelligence agencies, the Parliament plenary today passed a resolution calling on the EU Commission to temporarily suspend all data transfers according to the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program (TFTP) with the United States Treasury Department.

Polish Ministry Plans IP Reform – To Shift Rights From Universities To Researchers

Poland’s Minister of Science and Higher Education Barbara Kudrycka has announced plans to modify Poland’s intellectual property law by providing scientists with property rights to the results of their research.

European Commission Market-Tests Samsung Antitrust Commitments

The European Commission wants feedback from interested parties on a proposal by Samsung Electronics to resolve an antitrust investigation. The case relates to Samsung's efforts to enforce standard essential patents (SEPs) it owns for mobile communications technology. SEPs are patents that protect technologies essential for the implementation of an industry standard developed by a standard-setting organisation.

New EU Customs Regulation Might Allow Wrongful Seizures Of Generic Drugs In Transit, NGOs Say

A recent European Union regulation on customs enforcement of intellectual property rights has raised concerns among civil society actors who find that the regulation might not be an improvement over its previous version under which seizure of legal generic medicines in transit occurred a few years ago, leading to a World Trade Organization dispute.

UN Economic Commission For Europe Tackles Innovation In The Public Sector

Innovation experts participating in a two-day seminar at the United Nations in Geneva last week highlighted the complexities as well as the potential benefits linked to the promotion of innovative practices in public administrations at the national, regional and local levels.

IP Law Europe Summit To Address Patent Policy, Secrecy, Know-How, M&As, Brands Online

IP Law Summit
November 17-19, 2013| Grande Real Villa Itália| Cascais, Lisbon, Portugal

The IP Law Europe Summit is the premium forum bringing together leading in-house IP counsel with specialist international law firms, IP attorneys and legal services providers. As an invitation-only event taking place behind closed doors, the summit offers regional IP executives an intimate environment for a focused discussion of key new drivers shaping the IP industry.

Distinguished speakers include:

Tommi Lehtinen, Head of IPR, Product Differentiation Portfolio, Nokia Siemens Networks
Peter Schøtt Knudsen, VP, Global Head of Legal & IPR, ECCO
Cheree Johnson, Chief Innovation Counsel, HJ Heinz
Jean Luc Chalhoub, GC, New Business & Strategic Partnerships, Orange
Jan Strzebniok, VP & GC, EMEAI, Honeywell Aerospace
Vincent Pickering, CLO & Secretary, WABCO
Mark Lágler, GC, Supply Chain and Global Services, Unilever

Key issues for 2013 include:

Ahead of the Game – Keeping pace with the latest developments in patent legislation in the EU and US
Dynamic Exchange – Leveraging know-how and technology transfer to stimulate cost-efficient innovation
Positive-Sum Game – Informing the M&A strategy to unlock valuable transactions
Secrecy Status – Exploring trade secrets protection to keep expenditure under control and defend IP in fast-moving markets
A Taxing Issue – Orchestrating IP and R&D activities to reap the benefits of favourable tax regimes
Designing Value – Shielding design and packaging elements to boost brand recognition
Diversity Powerhouse – Mastering the art of orchestrating diversity to excel as a team
Social Media Palooza – Riding the digital wave while guarding your brand and reputation

To gain a view of the event brochure, click here: http://www.marcusevans-conferences-northamerican.com/IPLawEU_eaag_IPW

For speaking, sponsoring or attending, please contact Laurel Zevitz at +1 312-540-3000 ext 6683 or email l.zevitz@marcusevansch.com

EU Hearing: War Against Whistleblowers, War Against Journalists, War Against Democracy

Former US National Security Agency and British MI5 employees urged the European Parliament yesterday to push for better better democratic oversight over secret services and better protection of whistleblowers. Nothing less than the sovereignty of states and of citizens are at stake, warned former NSA official Thomas Drake.

IP-Intensive Industries A Powerhouse Of EU Economy, EPO-OHIM Study Says

The European Patent Office released a study today on the impact of intellectual property rights on the European economy, finding that some 40 percent of the total economic activity in the European Union is generated by “intellectual property rights-intensive industries.”