Insights
EPO gets Stricter on Requirements for Recording Assignments
By AWA | Posted on October 24, 2016
The EPO is going to take a stricter approach for recording an assignment of EP applications. Up until now the EPO has accepted assignment documents evidencing a transfer that had only been signed by the Assignor. Recordal of assignment is governed by Article 72 EPC which states that “An assignment of a European patent application...
Tags: awapatent, EP application, EPO, Patent, patent application
European Patent Office: New PPH agreements on the way
By Troels Peter Rørdam | Posted on October 20, 2016
The ever expanding Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) network keeps getting new additions, and as usual, the AWAPATENT IP Blog sums up the new expansions and arising possibilities. The PPH is a system of bilateral agreements allowing for requesting accelerated examination at one participating office. The system is based on the search results and a set...
The value of design patents
By Joacim Lydén | Posted on October 18, 2016
It is a perfectly clear, crisp morning as I make my way from Washington DC’s Union Station, through a clean and perfectly trimmed Senate Park, to the white neoclassical palace that houses the United States Supreme Court. The wide pavement and massive stairs leading to the building’s entrance is filled with journalists, photographers and television...
Tags: awapatent, IP, Patent, Trademark, USA
Amended rules relating to the refund of the examination fee
By AWA | Posted on August 23, 2016
Today the rules relating to fees stipulates that the examination fee will be refunded in full if the European patent application is withdrawn, refused or deemed to be withdrawn before the Examination Division (ED) has assumed responsibility of the application. The examination fee can also be refunded at a rate of 75% if the European...
EPO and IP AUSTRALIA launches new PPH agreement
By Troels Peter Rørdam | Posted on July 7, 2016
As the PPH network continues to expand, the Awapatent IP Blog lets its readers stay one step ahead by keeping monitoring the new expansions and arising possibilities. Most recently, European patent applicants are offered a new possibility of speeding up and simplifying examination of their patent applications. This possibility comes in addition to the eight...
Has China taken another Bite out of the Apple?
By Ai-Leen Lim | Posted on June 30, 2016
After locking horns with a local Chinese company for six years over the IPHONE trademark, Apple took a drubbing after last month’s decision by the Beijing High People’s Court. Apple applied for the “IPHONE” trademark for software and hardware (Class 9) in China in 2002. A Chinese company, called Xingtong Tiandi, which makes leather goods, is...
What does Brexit mean for the EUTM system?
By Kristian Martinsson | Posted on June 27, 2016
The people of the United Kingdom have spoken: They do not wish to be part of the EU any longer. It will now take time, probably years, before we know the terms of the divorce between the UK and the EU. Having said that, what impact of Brexit do we foresee for trademark owners? Short-term...
Effects of UK leaving the EU on the Unitary Patent and the UPC
By AWA | Posted on June 27, 2016
The result of the EU referendum held on 23 June was that the UK decided to leave the EU (European Union). As we have written previously the process of leaving the EU is long and can even take up to a couple of years. The UK will have to negotiate with the EU and the...
AWA Asia likes Facebook’s victory in China
By Ai-Leen Lim | Posted on June 11, 2016
In a recent high profile case, Facebook secured a victory against a trademark squatter at the Beijing High People’s Court. This comes shortly after Apple Inc was defeated in its iPhone trademark battle. In 2011 a Chinese individual, who is alleged to be associated with a local beverage company, applied to register the trademark FACE...
Prepare your strategy for the Unitary Patent and the UPC – (Part III)
By AWA | Posted on June 8, 2016
Strategies for pending patent applications and important aspects of the opt out procedure When preparing for the entry into force of the new Patent system in Europe, also patent application which are now currently pending before the European Patent Organization (EPO) must be considered. A decision must be made whether to try to delay the...
Tags: EPO, unified patent court, Unified Patent Court Agreement, unitary patent, UP, UPC, UPCA
Recent contributors
Senior Associate, Attorney at Law
Partner, Attorney at Law, Group Vice President
Partner, Attorney at Law, Business Area Manager
Senior Counsel, European Patent Attorney
Partner, European Patent Attorney, UPC Representative, Business Area Manager