patents
China-Norway patent prosecution highway pilot launches
By AWA | Posted on April 20, 2020
A memorandum between China and Norway will speed up and reduce costs when applying for patents On April 1, the China-Norway Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot began and is in effect until March 31, 2023. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the Norwegian Industrial Property Office...
Why China’s computer software copyright registrations are increasing
By Ai-Leen Lim | Posted on April 20, 2020
Statistics show a sharp rise in copyright registrations for computer software in China, which can provide an additional layer of protection alongside patents The National Copyright Administration of the People’s Republic of China (NCAC) released last year’s filing data earlier this month. In 2019, there was a 21% year-on-year increase in copyright registrations with the...
Tags: china, computer, copyright, IP, patents, programmes, Software
German Court finds Unified Patent Court legislation unconstitutional
By Niklas Mattsson | Posted on March 20, 2020
Today, the court tasked with upholding Germany’s constitution, the Bundesverfassungsgericht, has issued its long-awaited decision on a complaint against ratifying the Unified Patent Court Agreement (UPCA). The Court’s decision upholds the complaint, finding that the German legislative act that ratifies the UPCA does indeed contravene the German constitution. The German Federal President is now prohibited...
China’s upcoming amendments to the Patent Law include punitive damages
By AWA | Posted on March 19, 2020
Last year saw a wave of legislative activity in China. The effects are being felt as different pieces of legislation become effective. The resonating theme is that China is putting an IP protection framework in place that meets the demands of both foreign parties and domestic entities. This can be seen in particular with the...
Tags: china, Infringement, IPR, ISPs, patents, PRC Patent Law, punitive damages
UK is out of the Unified Patent Court
By Niklas Mattsson | Posted on March 2, 2020
The United Kingdom’s government has confirmed to industry publication IAM-Media that the country will not be a member of the Unified Patent Court system. A spokesperson for the government stated: “I can confirm that the UK will not be seeking involvement in the UP/UPC system. Participating in a court that applies EU law and bound...
PPH network reaches over 50 members as India and Saudi Arabia join
By Troels Peter Rørdam | Posted on February 3, 2020
The ever-expanding Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) network has gained two new additions. AWA Point sums up the new members and opportunities. Two new authorities with large economies have entered the PPH, providing the ability to speed-up and simplify examination of patent applications. The new additions are India and Saudi Arabia. For a given PPH-agreement,...
Tags: applications, India, patents, PPH, prosecution, Saudi Arabia
Amended Canadian Patent Rules Effective
By AWA | Posted on December 20, 2019
On October 30, 2019, amendments to the Rules Respecting the Patent Act (Rules) and the Patent Act (Act) became effective in Canada. The amendments have far-reaching impacts on Canadian patent practice in terms of filing and prosecution. PCT – National Phase Previously, a PCT application could enter the national phase in Canada within 42 months...
Tags: Canada, CIPO, examination, IP, national phase, patents, PCT, priority
Hong Kong Launches New Patent System
By Ai-Leen Lim | Posted on December 20, 2019
The Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department (HKIPD) launches a new patent system on December 19, 2019. The system becomes effective through the Patents (Amendment) Ordinance 2016 and the Patents (General) (Amendment) Rules 2019, which will also come into force on the same date. The new system modernises and reforms Hong Kong’s patent regime to support...
Tags: HKIPD, Hong Kong, Innovation, IP, original grant patent, patents, regulation, short-term patent
German decision on UPC expected in early 2020
By Louise Jonshammar, Niklas Mattsson | Posted on December 4, 2019
In an interview with IP industry publication Managing IP, Justice Huber of the German Federal Constitutional Court stated that the UK’s decision to leave the EU was of no concern to him and that, depending on the time it takes him and the other judges to deliberate, it is his intention for the Court to...
The Crispr-Cas9 patent tussle continues: The case of UC Berkeley at the EPO
By Joanna Applequist | Posted on November 15, 2019
In Europe, we don’t do things the way the Americans do… Oral proceedings in the opposition against UC Berkeley’s (UC’s) main European patent EP2800811 are scheduled for all of three (!) days in February of 2020 at the European Patent Office (EPO). The opposition division’s (OD’s) preliminary and non-binding opinion, provided on the 30th of...
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