AWA Point

Names as trademarks – maybe not such a good idea!

By AWA | Posted on December 17, 2015

In Denmark the owner of a trademark cannot prevent others from branding themselves under their own name, as long as it is done in accordance with good marketing practice. This means that as long as the use of your own name does not lead to confusion, it is possible to trade under this name. Therefore...

Tags: Trademark

Andorran patent law enters into force

By Troels Peter Rørdam | Posted on December 9, 2015

In the heart of the Pyrenees Mountains, on the border between France and Spain, lies a small independent country. This country, of course, is The Principality of Andorra. The co-princes exercising sovereignty over Andorra are the President of the French Republic and the (Spanish) Bishop of Urgel. Andorra is not part of the European Union....

Change on climate and fast-tracking green innovations

By AWA | Posted on December 2, 2015

A while ago I wrote a blog post about being profitable and still doing good things for the climate. I believe that there are many inventors out there who have found really cool and smart solutions to many of the problems of today, for instance how to provide electricity to poor and rural locations, how...

Tags: climate-change, Dechezleprêtre, fast-tracking, green innovations, patents, recycling

The Unitary Patent takes an (inventive) step towards grant

By Love Koči | Posted on November 26, 2015

The Unitary Patent provides a new way for innovators and companies to protect their intellectual property in the EU. Currently, European patents are granted centrally by the European Patent Office (EPO), but result in a bundle of national patents which must be enforced on a country-by-country basis. In contrast, the Unitary Patent means that a...

Tags: EPO, renewal fee, unitary patent, UP

Copycats in China: The canary in the coalmine for foreign companies?

By Ai-Leen Lim | Posted on November 16, 2015

The recent media report concerning the “fake” Goldman Sachs in China has sparked another series of stories about counterfeits in China… but has it sparked a call to action yet? Throwbacks to the bogus Apple stores and the concocted IKEA shops both found in Kunming in 2011 come to mind. Whilst foreign companies are amazed...

Tougher measures on advertising in China (wef 1 September 2015): Caveat Vendor

By Ai-Leen Lim | Posted on November 10, 2015

The recent case of smart phone maker Xiaomi coming under investigation for misleading consumers through false advertising, is a cautionary tale for companies seeking to promote their products and services in China. The company was caught by the New Advertising Law in China, enacted on 1st September 2015, which clamps down on fictitious advertising. By...

Tags: AIC, anti-puffery, Caveat Vendor

Crowdsourcing or a maker – do you need to care about IP?

By AWA | Posted on October 30, 2015

In recent year’s crowdsourcing, i.e. inviting a community to take part in developing a new product or service has become increasingly popular. The instant feedback from the community allows for a rapid and agile development process, where everyone taking part in the development can feel great pride in the finished product. Simultaneously a movement called...

Tags: crowdfunding, Crowdsourcing, makerspaces

Unified Patent Court – one step closer to opening the Court

By AWA | Posted on October 26, 2015

On October 1 2015, a Protocol to the UPC Agreement was signed by first seven member states . It is open for signing by the remaining Signatory States of the UPC Agreement from this date. The aim of the Protocol is to allow for some provisions of the UPC Agreement to be applied early, i.e....

Tags: European patents, Patent, SPC, Supplementary Protection Certificates, unified patent court, UPC

Italy joins the unitary patent!

By Troels Peter Rørdam | Posted on October 22, 2015

On 30 September 2015, Italy joined the unitary patent. Italy will thus form part of both the unitary patent and the Unified Patent Court (UPC) upon entry into force. So reports the Commission of the EU here. Italy is the country in which the fourth largest number of European patents is validated. The Italian decision...

Tags: unified patent court, UPC

Global Innovation Index 2015: Switzerland, UK and Sweden at the top

By Love Koči | Posted on October 22, 2015

The recently issued Global Innovation Index (GII), which is co-published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Cornell University and INSEAD Business School, ranks the innovation performance of 141 countries and economies around the world based on 79 indicators. Published annually since 2007, the GII is used as a tool for policymakers, business leaders and...

Tags: GII, Global Innovation Index, WIPO