IP Think Tank Global Week in Review – 2 May 2008

Here is IP Think Tank’s weekly selection of top intellectual property news breaking in the blogosphere and internet.

Please join the discussion by adding your comments on any of these stories, and please do let me know if you think we’ve missed something important, or if there is a source you think should be monitored.

You can separately subscribe to the IP Thinktank Global week in Review at the Subscribe page: http://thinkipstrategy.com/subscribe/

Highlights this week included:

Global

Global – General

Global – Trade Marks / Domain Names / Brands

  • How logos, shapes and colours are remembered: (Class 46),
  • Now obsolete .su (Soviet Union) domains still going strong…?: (Class 46),
  • ICANN on cost to end domain tasting: (Class 46),
  • ICANN can’t – but can you?: (IP ThinkTank),
  • WIPO: T-Mobile, T-online domain names to be transferred to Deutsche Telekom: (Class 46),
  • UK, Germany and US top Taylor Wessing’s first IP index: (Managing Intellectual Property)

Global – Patents

  • Leveraging IP to finance early-stage technology: (first part – IP finance), (second part – IP finance),
  • WTO members support new disclosure requirements for patent applications relating to genetic resources and traditional knowledge: (Afro-IP),
  • Types of patent searches: (ipmINDs),
  • WIPO ‘Report on the international patent system’: (KEI),
  • Collaboration for invention: (Dilanchian),
  • Voting ends at ISO on whether to create new project committee for patent valuation: (IP finance)

Global – Copyright

  • Paul Heald on the nonexistent tragedy of the intellectual commons: (43(B)log),
  • Negotiating IP deals – Ray Charles’ story: (Dilanchian),
  • Game piracy: (Bruce On Games)

Events

  • IAM ‘IP business congress’ – 25-26 June, Amsterdam: (IP finance),
  • Second Transatlantic IP summer academy – 7-18 July, Milan and Alicante: (ipsummeracedemy.eu),
  • Intellectual asset management of high tech industries conference – 1-2 July, Paris (Ben Goodger will be speaking on Chinese market): (Rouse & Co International),
  • EU: EC 2008 High level conference on counterfeiting and piracy – 13 May, Brussels: (IPR-Helpdesk),
  • US: PLI ‘Prior art and obviousness 2008’conference – 1 July, New York: (Patent Docs),
  • US: PLI ‘Fundamentals of patent prosecution 2008’ conference – 18-20 June, New York: (Patent Docs),
  • US: PLI ‘Advanced patent licensing 2008’ conference – 28 May, New York & 11 June, San Francisco: (Patent Docs),
  • US CAFC ‘The Federal Circuit: a National Court of Appeals: addressing new challenges’ – 15 May, Washington: (Patent Docs),
  • US: Worldwide Business Research ‘PharmaBiotech IP Summit’ – 28-30 May, Philadelphia: (Patent Docs), (Orange Book Blog),
  • US: ‘BIO international convention’ – 17 June, San Diego: (Patent Docs),
  • US: LSI ‘Multilateral patents’ – 23 June, San Francisco: (Patent Docs),
  • US: Webinar on current developments in patents featuring US Patent Commissioner – 13 May: (Patent Baristas)

Pharma & Biotech

Pharma & Biotech – General

  • Question for the week: How can the IP system stimulate innovation on treatment for neglected diseases?: (Intellectual Property Watch),
  • Open licensing vs monopoly controlled supply: (KEI),
  • Protecting inventions involving biofuel feedstock: (IP Law360),
  • Brazil: ‘Public interest’ factor in Brazil’s patenting system: (Spicy IP),
  • EU: Regulation (EC) 1394/2007 on advanced medicinal products to enter into force soon, creating certification procedure regarding quality and non-clinical data: (Catch Us If You Can!!!),
  • India: Mint story on patent loophole in India regarding the importation of generics: (Spicy IP),
  • India: WHO lambasts Indian drug regulatory system: (Spicy IP),
  • India: Minister to ensure that reduced excise duty to reflect in drug prices: (Spicy IP),
  • India: SCC journal article ‘Intellectual property rights and the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry’: (Spicy IP),
  • Poland: Trade marks for medicines: (Class 46),
  • US: IPO publishes letter in opposition to proposed rule changes to biological deposits: (Patent Docs),
  • US: Are biotech companies stymied in dealing with universities?: (Patent Baristas),
  • US: How to avoid a permanent injunction: the lessons of Amgen v Hoffman-LaRoche: (Patent Docs),
  • US: Jarvik Heart’s PTE request based on PMA shell/module submission dates flatlines; ruling on initiation of PTE ‘review period’ mirrors FDA policy for ‘fast track’ products: (FDA Law Blog)

Pharma & Biotech – Products

  • Kytril (Granisetron) – Exclusivity ‘parking’ still possible under Teva ruling: (IP Law360),
  • Lantus (Insulin glargine) – Aventis launches insulin drug Lantus in India: (Spicy IP),
  • Lexapro (Escitalopram) – Australia: The patentability of enantiomers: Alphapharm Pty Ltd v H Lundbeck A/S: (IPRoo), (IP Down Under),
  • Lipitor (Atorvastatin) – USPTO to confirm patentability of Lipitor basic patent: (SmartBrief), (IP Law360), (GenericsWeb), (TherapeuticsDaily),
  • Lipitor (Atorvastatin) – USPTO refuses again to reissue one of Pfizer’s Lipitor patents: (IP Law360),
  • Omnicef (Cefdinir): Looking a gift horse in the mouth – why would a company refuse a patent term extension?: Lupin v Abbott Labs: (FDA Law Blog),
  • Plavix (Clopidogrel) – US: Apotex sues FDA to recover 180-day exclusivity on generic Plavix: (Orange Book Blog),
  • Plavix (Clopidogrel) – US: Former Bristol-Myers Squibb executive charged over lying about Plavix deal struck with rival Apotex: (Managing Intellectual Property),
  • Risperdal (Resperidone) – US: Apotex files motion to intervene in relisting of Risperdal patent case; Teva quickly files opposition: Teva Pharma USA v Leavitt: (FDA Law Blog),
  • Rythmol (Propafenone) – US: Court rules Frommer can defend Par Pharmaceuticals in Rythmol patent suit despite their earlier work with Reliant Pharmaceuticals to acquire the disputed patent: (IP Law360),
  • Solodyn (Minocycline) – US District Court dismisses Impa&xrsquo;s declaratory judgment complaint in ANDA case against Medicis: (Orange Book Blog),
  • Tarceva (Erlotinib) – Delhi High Court restrains CIPLA from exporting generic Erlotinib to any country where Roche has a patent for the drug, only Cipla may manufacture generic Erlotinib: (Spicy IP),
  • Tarceva (Erlotinib) – Roche v CIPLA: UK rejects Roche’s Tarceva as too expensive!: (Spicy IP),
  • Ultracet (Tramadol) – Barr and Caraco win summary judgment that Ortho-McNeil’s formulation patent on Ultracet is invalid: (Orange Book Blog),
  • Xopenex (Levosalbutamol) – US: Sepracor, Breath settle Xopenex patent fight: (IP Law360), (GenericsWeb),

Africa

  • African copyright & access to knowledge (ACA2K) project launched: (Michael Geist), (Afro-IP),
  • Seven reasons why Prof Odek should be the next WIPO DG: (Afro-IP),
  • Angola: The possible extortionate cost of trade mark filings: (Afro-IP),
  • Ghana: ‘If symptoms persist’ anti fake film launched in Ghana: (Afro-IP),
  • Kenya: Is Kenya becoming a ‘Barbary Coast’ for book pirates?: (IP Kenya),
  • Kenya: China blames Kenya for buying its fakes: (Afro-IP),
  • South Africa: Microsoft settles with 21 infringing retailers: (Afro-IP),
  • South Africa: Piracy stats unacceptably high, despite improvements: (Afro-IP)

Asia

Australia

  • Duty to invent? Landmark IP implications for universities: University of Western Australia v Gray: (IPRoo), (Managing Intellectual Property), (The Age),
  • Domain name transfer made easier: (Australian Trade Marks Law Blog),
  • Quantum of obviousness in Australian patent laws – C Lawson: (IP Down Under),
  • Separating Sony sheep from Grokster (and Kazaa) goats: Reckoning future business plans of copyright dependent technology entrepreneurs – JC Ginsburg and S Ricketson: (IP Down Under),
  • The trouble with legislating exclusions from the concept of invention – D Brennan: (IP Down Under),
  • IP Australia – TM Office – Change of practice and procedure notice in relation to provisional refusals and limitations of International registrations designating Australia: (IPRoo),
  • Inventive step –commercial success: ITW AFC Pty Ltd v Loi and Tran Pty Ltd: (IPRoo),
  • New patent database launched by federal government and IP Australia features almost 20 years’ worth of patent application records: (ZDNet Australia), (IPBiz),
  • Guitarist Lindsay McDougall claims he was tricked in appearing in anti-piracy video: (Techdirt)

Benelux

  • Commodore trade mark: quo vadis? – Owner of legendary trade mark declared bankrupt: (Class 46)

Brazil

Canada

  • Napier receives shareholder approval for sale of IP outside North America to Freeworld: (Afro-IP), (IP finance),
  • US Ambassador to Canada confirms copyright discussions at SPP: (Michael Geist),
  • US Trade Representative Special 301 Report: Canada on lower level watch list: (Michael Geist),
  • Public policy forum disinvites Howard Knopf from IP symposium: (Michael Geist), (Techdirt),
  • Canadian Copyright Bill likely in next six weeks: (Michael Geist),
  • Lawyer Weekly article by Tawfik on history of Canadian copyright law: (Michael Geist),
  • Canadian documentary film makers lament rights costs: (Michael Geist),
  • Canadian Federation of Students on copyright reform: (Michael Geist),
  • Copyright myths: (Michael Geist), (response from Ars Technica),
  • Copyright law: Two to watch (Tory government of Ottawa tabling of revised copyright bill and QuebecTorrent filesharing case): (ipblog.ca),
  • Who speaks for the Liberals on copyright?: (Michael Geist),
  • Copyright conferences and balance: (Michael Geist)

China

Croatia

  •  Croatia IP Office no longer issuing filing certificates for trade mark and design applications: (Class 46)

Denmark

  • Louis Vuitton alleges trade mark and copyright infringement over Vuitton-style handbag depicted in artwork for Darfur fundraiser: (Techdirt), (Counterfeit Chic),
  • Notes on the Danish IP Spring Conference: (Innovationpartners)

Europe

  • Ocean Tomo opens second Europe IP auction: (Afro-IP),
  • EU community patent: machine translations ante portas?: (BLOG@IP::JUR),
  • Maxwell & Sweet article on coexistence agreements and the Omega case: (Class 46),
  • Tchibo brand – an assessment: (Class 46),
  • London Agreement enters into force 1 May: (IAM), (IPKat),
  • European Data Protection Supervisor policy paper on contribution to EU research and technology: (IPR-Helpdesk),
  • EU Commissioner wants copyright extension to pay session musicians: (Out-Law),
  • European Commission makes proposals to fill research gaps: (Managing Intellectual Property),
  • EPO places oral proceedings calendar online: (Daily Dose of IP), (Innovationpartners),
  • CFI decision in dispute over ‘Sonia’ marks: Sonia Rykiel Création et Diffusion de Modeles v OHIM, Cuadrado SA: (IPKat)

Germany

  • German Federal Centre of Political Education lauds IP as ‘oil of the 21st century’: (IP finance)

Greece

  • Residents of Greek island of Lesbos seek to bar gay women from using the term ‘lesbian’: (IP ADR Blog), (Class 46)

India

  • Indian IP: the transition from Saraswati to Lakshmi: (Spicy IP),
  • Indian filmmaker complains about American piracy: (Spicy IP),
  • Patents granted in China, Russia and Singapore for railway anti-collision device: (Spicy IP), (ipmINDs),
  • National Knowledge Commission Vice Chairman: Bayh Dole Bill was shrouded in secrecy: (Spicy IP),
  • US Trade Representative Special 301 Report: India continues to be on US priority watch list: (Spicy IP),
  • ‘Mazaa’ trade mark trouble for Coca-Cola: (Spicy IP),
  • Contextualising the patent regime: (Spicy IP),
  • Court settles mischief of trade mark trafficking: Marc Enterprises Pvt Ltd v Five Star Electricals (India): (International Law Office)

Japan

Netherlands

  • New domain name ADR mechanism for the Netherlands: (Class 46),
  • District Court of The Hague finds infringement of ‘Boerengolf’ trade mark for a form of golf: (Class 46)

Portugal

Spain

Switzerland

  • New York Times article on action brought against biscuit makers in Champagne, Switzerland, whose products have been sold as ‘de Champagne’ since 1930: (Class 46),
  • Internet start-up Zattoo.com rebroadcasting UK television from Switzerland without stations’ permission: (Out-Law)

Vietnam

United Kingdom

  • UKIPO accepts MyGP trade mark application for medical services: (IPKat),
  • High Court hands down decision in dispute over competitors marks containing the word Sabatier: Rousselon Freres et Cie v Horwood Homewares Ltd: (IPKat),
  • Over next three years UK Technology Strategy Board will have £1 billion to spend on accelerating business innovation: (IP finance),
  • Apple threatens legal action against 11 UK e-tailers unless they stop selling iPods imported from outside UK: (Out-Law),
  • UKIPO considers the Symbian effect: (IPKat),
  • House of Lords propose criminalization of intentional or reckless disclosure of personal information: (Out-Law),
  • Free speech trumps privacy, but only just, in Mosley case: (IPKat),
  • Now academics can copy with a good conscience – ‘Joint guidelines on copyright and academic research’: (IPKat),
  • Nominet rules that myspace.co.uk domain does not need to be transferred to MySpace Inc, owners of myspace.com social networking site: (IPKat),
  • Critics brand Phorm a regulatory rogue, saying its targeted advertising program will bend and break law: (Out-Law)

United States

US General

US Patent Reform

US Patents

US Copyright

  • New Orphaned Works Act would limit copyright liability: (Ars Technica), (Techdirt),
  • Is copyright law killing the documentary?: (Techdirt),
  • University of Florida professor admits plagiarism: (IPBiz),
  • House Judiciary Committee approval of Pro-IP Bill: (Public Knowledge), (Ars Technica), (IP Law360), (Techdirt),
  • Discussion notes: ‘Who owns this image?: Art, access and the public domain after Bridgeman v Corel’: (43(B)log), (43(B)log),
  • Progress and Freedom Foundation’s Thomas Sydor attacks Lessig’s book ‘Free culture’ linking narrowed copyright to Soviet dictatorship: (Ars Technica), (Lessig),
  • Is non-extraterritoriality a question of subject matter jurisdiction?: (Patry Copyright Blog),
  • Accused plagiarist Pukas gets reprimand: (IPBiz)

US Trademarks

  • USPTO updates Trademark Electronic Search System: (Daily Dose of IP),
  • NY Times article on brand values in economic downturn: (43(B)log)

US – Companies / Entities

  • Al Minor & Assoc – memorizing information, including specifically client lists, constitutes trade secret misappropriation: Al Minor & Assoc, Inc v Martin: (Intellectual Property Law Blog), (Patently-O),
  • Apple – Apple’s rise in sales accompanied by increase in patent infringement lawsuits: (Philip Brooks),
  • Apple – Henry Milan files patent suit against Apple over iPod connector: (IP Law360),
  • Barbie – Barbie, Bratz copyright dispute far from over: (IP Law360),
  • Baxter – Baxter brings another patent suit against Fresenius over dialysis machine: (IP Law360),
  • Bilski – En banc oral arguments, including amici arguments, for Ex parte Bilski to be held 8 May: (Patently-O), (IP Law360),
  • College Entrance Examination Board – CEEB and Karen Dillard’s College Prep LP settle copyright suit over SAT exam: (IP Law360),
  • Dorman – Federal-Mogul sues Dorman over automotive patent: (IP Law360),
  • Durotech – Durotech counterclaims dismisses in patent dispute with GED Integrated Solutions: (IP Law360),
  • eBay – VoIP company Net2Phone accuses eBay of patent infringement two months after eBay sued Net2Phone for patent infringement: (IP Law360),
  • Edge Specialists – Edge Specialists and Edge Capture launch patent suit against Lehman Brothers over trading technology: (IP Law360),
  • Genender – Federal Circuit controls patent DJ jurisdiction: Genender Int’l, Inc v Skagen Designs, Ltd: (Chicago IP Litigation Blog),
  • Green Bay Packers – Long running patent case against Green Bay Packers, OfficeMax and other stayed again while USPTO conducts second reexamination of patent in question: Global Patent Holdings LLC v Green Bay Packers: (IP Law360), (Peter Zura’s 271 Patent Blog), (Techdirt),
  • Kodak – Kodak won’t get damages in patent dispute with Agfa, despite  infringement: (IP Law360),
  • Litecubes – Territorial limits of copyright and patent infringement via sale: Litecubes v Northern Light Productions: (Patently-O), (Patent Prospector), (Hal Wegner),
  • Mass Engineered – Mass Engineered adds defendants, Bretford and CSAV, in patent infringement suit over multiscreen display units: (IP Law360),
  • McDonalds – McDonalds opposes US application to register McSweet as trade mark for pickled garnishes: (IPKat),
  • Medtronics – Spectranetics, Medtronic drop catheter patent suit: (IP Law360),
  • Mesa – Mesa Air Group and Hawaiian Airlines settle trade secrets case for $52.5 million: (IP Law360),
  • N-Data – AAI, others support FTC action against N-Data: (IP Law360),
  • National Products – Subject matter jurisdiction – Court ‘traverse[s] uncharted territory between Supreme Court’s decision in Medimmune v Genentech and Federal Circuit’s decision in Monsanto Co v Bayer Bioscience’: National Products v Gamber-Johnson: (Washington State Patent Law Blog),
  • Ono – Yoko Ono sues makers of documentary ‘Expelled’ for unauthorized use of John Lennon’s song ‘Imagine’: (Techdirt),
  • Orion Bancorp of Florida – Orion Bancorp wins domain name of competitor Orion Residential Finance , and court order that if Orion Residential ever buys keyword advertising on the internet, it must pay for a ‘negative keyword’ that prevents the ads from appearing in conjunction with the word ‘orion’: (Ars Technica),
  • Pequignot – Washington DC patent attorney Matthew Pequignot files lawsuits against Solo Cup and Gillette and P&G alleging they falsely marked their products regarding patent status: (Patently-O),
  • Rambus – CAFC grants Rambus final victory in semiconductor patent dispute with Samsung: (IP Law360 ), (Patent Prospector), (Hal Wegner),
  • RIAA – Tanya Anderson drops racketeering charges against RIAA: (Techdirt),
  • RIAA – RIAA takes action against Project Playlist, a search engine that turns up third party music links: (Ars Technica),
  • RIAA – Court rejects RIAA ‘making available’ theory: Atlantic v Howell: (Electronic Frontier Foundation), (Ars Technica), (Techdirt), (Patry Copyright Blog),
  • RIAA – Colleges and universities see significant increase in copyright infringement notices received from RIAA: (Ars Technica),
  • Rowling – JK Rowling and Warner Bros copyright infringement case against RDR Books over online Harry Potter lexicon – discussion and opinion: (Spicy IP),
  • SanDisk – SanDisk drops flash memory patent claims against Acer: (IP Law360),
  • Speas – CAFC rejects patent on invention to overcome second law of thermodynamics: In re Speas: (Patently-O),
  • T-Mobile – T-Mobile settles with Ronald A Katz over patents for interactive voice applications: (IP Law360),
  • Tyco – Court quashes Applied Medical Corp’s bid for new trial, upholding jury verdict of non-infringement in Tyco International’s favour: (IP Law360),
  • Unigen – Unigen launches patent infringement and false advertising suit against Perrigo over dietary supplements: (IP Law360),
  • Universal – Judge dismisses EEF’s DMCA-abuse lawsuit against Universal Music their action over video of baby dancing to Prince posted on YouTube: (Techdirt),
  • Universal – Universal argues that EEF suit against them over dancing toddler runs afoul of anti-SLAPP law: (Ars Technica),
  • Universal Studios – NBC reporter, Arthur Kent, sues makers of the film ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’ for unauthorized use of copyright footage: (IP Law360),
  • University of Georgia – Court rejects individual professors’ claims of sovereign immunity in copyright case National Association of Boards of Pharmacy v Board of Regents of University System of Gerogia: (Patry Copyright Blog),
  • Whirlpool – LG Electronics files suit against Whirlpool Corp, claiming infringement of three patents covering refrigerator components; Whirlpool counterclaims infringement of its patents: (IP Law360), (IP Law360),
  • Whirlpool – Whirlpool sues De’Longhi over mixer shape trade mark: (IP Law360),
  • Wisconsin Cheese Group – TTAB decision: Delay defeats trade mark infringement claim: Wisconsin Cheese Croup v V & V Supremo Foods: (43(B)log),
  • Yahoo – District Court tells Yahoo, AOL, RealNetworks they owe millions in royalties to songwriters for online music streaming: (Techdirt), (Ars Technica), (IP Law360),
  • Yahoo – Bascom Global Internet Service files patent suit against Yahoo, AOL over parental controls: (IP Law360)
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