Insights
After seven years China and EU sign investment agreement
By Ai-Leen Lim | Posted on March 16, 2021
Ai-Leen Lim considers some of the highlights from the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment between China and the EU. Agreement negotiations have been ongoing for seven years, but finally a deal has been reached “in principle”. Despite the ongoing pandemic, two of the world’s largest economies came together on shared priorities. On December 30, 2020, the...
China’s highest court awards largest ever damages in Vanillin trade secrets case
By AWA | Posted on March 9, 2021
The Supreme People’s Court (SPC) handed down its decision on February 26, 2021. Almost immediately, the business and intellectual property communities were paying attention to a case that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. The reason was simple – the highest ever damages for a trade secrets case had been awarded by the SPC – Rmb...
Filed under: Insights
Tags: china, SPC, trade secrets
Swissness – recent developments in protecting the “Swiss” brand
By Milana Pantelic | Posted on February 25, 2021
It is no secret that Swiss products and services enjoy a great reputation both at home and abroad. They are associated with high quality, tradition, precision, luxury, high technology, innovation and reliability. Using the Swiss cross, the wording “Swiss made” or other indications referring to Switzerland on products adds considerable value – up to 20%...
Tags: Federal Council, IPI, protection, Swissness, Switzerland, trademarks
Beijing IP Court awards Shell statutory damages
By Ai-Leen Lim | Posted on February 24, 2021
In a recent base before the Beijing IP Court, oil and gas giant Shell International received the maximum amount of statutory damages in a trademark infringement and unfair competition case On January 21, 2021, the Beijing IP Court announced its decision in a trademark infringement and unfair competition case between two plaintiffs and five defendants....
Tags: Beijing IP Court, china, Infringement, Shell, trademarks, unfair competition
China amends Guidelines for Patent Examination
By AWA | Posted on February 24, 2021
Following the fourth amendment to the PRC Patent Law by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in October 2020, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) initiated a comprehensive review of the Guidelines for Patent Examination (Examination Guidelines 2019). The Decision to Amend the Guidelines for Patent Examination (Examination Guidelines 2021) was issued by the...
Tags: china, CNIPA, Guidelines, Patent, PRC Patent Law, prosecution
The Busines of IP – Understanding and Creating Value: Part 2 – Keeping Secrets a Secret
By Anders Isaksson | Posted on February 4, 2021
In this six-part series, Anders Isaksson explores some of the critical factors and motivators for why companies, small or large, should obtain intellectual property. The aim is to help you understand when and how you can create value from IP, especially when considering a company’s long and short-term goals. In the last article in...
Filed under: Insights
Tags: Innovation, Intellectual Property, knowledge, trade secrets
All eyes on Germany as UPC is resuscitated at Bundestag and Bundesrat
By Louise Jonshammar | Posted on December 18, 2020
German ratification of the UPCA is one of the last hurdles for the Unitary Patent system. The system has suffered a series of delays ever since an agreement was reached in 2012 that made the Unitary Patent possible through enhanced cooperation at an EU-level. The Unitary Patent system aims to provide easier and affordable access...
Filed under: Insights
Tags: Bundesrat, EU, Europe, European patents, Germany, patents, unitary patent, UPC, UPCA
Guide: EU Trademarks after Brexit
By AWA | Posted on December 17, 2020
EU trademarks will no longer be protected in the UK after Brexit. What will happen to your EUTM depends on whether it has been registered or not on exit day: December 31, 2020. Registered EU trademarks Your registered EU trademark right will be automatically cloned into a UK trademark registration. You will not need to...
Filed under: Insights
Tags: applications, Brexit, EU Trademarks, renewals, trademarks, UK
China introduces compensation for patent terms
By AWA | Posted on December 15, 2020
On October 17, 2020, the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress passed amendments to the PRC Patent Law, which come into force June 1, 2021. The amendments cover three key areas: 1) Strengthening the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of patentees; 2) Promoting the implementation and application of patents; and 3)...
Tags: china, compensation, innovative drugs, patent terms, patents
Lego’s copyright victory against Lepin in China
By Ai-Leen Lim | Posted on December 14, 2020
Danish toymaker Lego wins another landmark case in China using copyright and anti-unfair competition to protect its market share of the US$15 billion toy and games industry On September 2, 2020, the Shanghai Third Intermediate Court announced sentencing of nine individuals to up to six years imprisonment and fines of RMB 90 million RMB (USD...
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