News: Uncategorized

UK term of copyright extended to 70 years

By AWA Editor | Posted on October 14, 2013

On 1 October this year an important amendment was made to UK copyright law. Following the change, the term of copyright has now been increased from 25 years after the death of the author to 70 years, thus bringing UK legislation into line with that of most other European countries. Because of the shorter protection...

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Coca-Cola loses its status as the world’s most valuable brand

By AWA Editor | Posted on October 7, 2013

Coca-Cola, IBM, Microsoft. For year after year these three companies have regularly topped Interbrand’s list of the world’s most valuable trademarks and brands. Last year, however, Apple succeeded in leapfrogging into second place, and this year it has climbed further to hold the number one position. Coca-Cola has dropped to third place behind the new...

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New report: One in three jobs in Europe generated by IPR-intensive industries

By AWA Editor | Posted on October 2, 2013

Approximately 35 percent of all employment in the EU (or 77 million jobs) stems directly or indirectly from IPR-intensive industries, according to a report published jointly by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM). The study also shows that 39 percent of the total economic activity in...

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Saudi Arabia new contracting state to international patent system

By AWA Editor | Posted on August 29, 2013

Since 3 August this year Saudi Arabia has become a contracting state to the international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The PCT, which is administered by the UN agency the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), makes it possible to submit just one single patent application that will subsequently protect an innovation in many different countries. About...

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Welcome Croatia!

By AWA Editor | Posted on August 21, 2013

The European Union has welcomed a new Member State, as Croatia has become the 28th country to join the EU on 1 July 2013. This will have a great impact on Community Trademarks (CTM), Registered Community Designs (RCD) and potentially the Unitary Patent System. The accession means that from the date of accession protection granted...

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Number of seized counterfeit goods declines in the EU

By AWA Editor | Posted on August 21, 2013

In 2012, the EU customs authorities seized close to 40 million counterfeit goods – a sharp decline on the previous year when more than 114 million suspected counterfeit goods were seized, according to a recent report from the European Commission. The report concludes, however, that although the number of seized counterfeit goods has diminished, the...

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Switzerland, Sweden and UK: the most innovative countries in the world

By AWA Editor | Posted on July 1, 2013

Global Innovation Index 2013, published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is now official. The index ranks 142 economies, using 84 different indicators showing both innovation capabilities and measurable results. Switzerland keeps the top placement from the previous year, followed by, in respective order, Sweden, The United Kingdom, Netherlands and...

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EPO ignites hope for relaxed divisional window

By AWA Editor | Posted on June 13, 2013

In 2010, the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation amended Rule 36, EPC, relating to the filing of divisional applications. According to amended Rule 36, any divisional applications must be filed within a 24-month time limit triggered by the issuance of the first Office Action issued during substantive examination. The amended Rule 36 has...

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