‘Small and medium-sized enterprises are continuing to use the UK’s specialised intellectual property court despite having more options available for flexible trials, figures have shown.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 23rd May 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Kit Kat manufacturer Nestlé has had its bid to trade mark the shape of its four-fingered chocolate bar rejected by the Court of Appeal in London in a ruling which could impact on similar applications to trade mark shapes deemed not to be inherently distinctive.’
OUT-LAW.com, 23rd May 2017
Source: www.out-law.com
‘KitKat-maker Nestlé has been foiled again, after a UK Court of Appeal ruled that the consumer goods giant cannot trademark the shape of its popular four-fingered chocolate bar.’
The Independent, 17th may 2017
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Your technology, branding and confidential information are key assets. If you find that a competitor is taking advantage of them illegally you may be tempted to let them know straight away. You may also want to inform the supply chain in public statements about infringing imports, or products that take advantage of your proprietary technology. While this seems like the obvious first step to take, it is dangerous. If you are not careful you can find yourself at the wrong end of a “threats” action.’
Technology Law Update, 4th May 2017
Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk
‘Finnish mobile device manufacturer Nokia was due to argue that Apple has infringed one of its technology patents before the High Court in London on Friday.’
OUT-LAW.com, 7th April 2017
Source: www.out-law.com
‘In the light of Brexit, uncertain times lie ahead! How can small businesses cope with the challenges which the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union will necessarily entail and with the uncertainty that will persist so long as no concluded agreement(s) has/have been struck between the British Government and its EU counterparts.’
Henderson Chambers, 5th April 2017
Source: www.hendersonchambers.co.uk
‘A record number of European patents were granted to UK businesses in 2016 by the European Patent Office (EPO), according to new figures.’
OUT-LAW.com, 9th March 2017
Source: www.out-law.com
‘The Court of Appeal has overturned a ruling that gave a national law firm summary judgment in a case alleging that its negligence had caused a company to lose a £4m intellectual property licensing deal with a global engineering giant.’
Legal Futures, 8th March 2017
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
‘A venture capitalist was the “real party” in a dispute between two companies over a documentary based on the Beatles’ first concert in the USA, a High Court judge has held.’
Litigation Futures, 7th March 2017
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
‘Retransmitting TV programmes online within “the area of initial broadcast” is an act of copyright infringement under EU law, if carried out without the permission of the TV broadcasters, the EU’s highest court has ruled.’
OUT-LAW.com, 1st March 2017
Source: www.out-law.com
‘This was a claim by the Jushi Group Co. Ltd. (“Jushi”) for declarations of invalidity and non-infringement and the revocation of European patent number 1 831 118 for glass yarns for reinforcing organic and/or inorganic materials. The patentee, OCV Intellectual Capital LLC (a subsidiary of Owens Corning) (“OCV”), counterclaimed for infringement of the patent. Jushi admitted infringement if the patent was valid. The only issue to be determined was whether the patent was valid. The action came on before His Honour Judge Hacon on the 5 and 6 Dec 2016. His Honour delivered judgment on 6 Feb 2017.’
NIPC Law, 8th February 2017
Source: www.nipclaw.blogspot.co.uk
‘The presiding judge at the UK’s Intellectual Property Enterprise Court has said the court still serves a purpose despite the growing availability of flexible trials elsewhere.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 3rd February 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘3D printing is moving from a narrow role as a prototyping technology to offer an exciting new spectrum of possibilities. From home printing for the consumer to high-end manufactured products in applications ranging from aerospace and automotive parts, medical and dental prostheses to fine arts and jewellery, the possibilities are widening all the time. Uniting digital manipulation with additive manufacturing, 3D printing offers huge potential for many sectors, with even digitally printed foods now being explored.’
Technology Law Update, 30th January 2017
Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk
‘The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, affectionately known as IPEC, is a popular choice for enforcement of intellectual property rights. It offers efficient, tailored procedures and a much more predictable costs regime than standard litigation. Costs awarded to a winning party are normally capped at £50,000 and are often well below this. But a recent decision shows that the costs cap can be disregarded when the rules encouraging early settlement are used. This could offer a major advantage to a claimant, and a nasty surprise for a defendant not willing to engage with settlement discussions.’
Technology Law Update, 14th December 2016
Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk
‘A music talent show broadcast on Sky was “independently created”, the UK Court of Appeal has ruled, dismissing claims that the show copied features contained in a pitch for another talent show made to the broadcaster the year previously.’
OUT-LAW.com, 7th December 2016
Source: www.out-law.com
‘More than 8,000 web addresses were suspended by Nominet during the year up to the end of October 2016, more than double the number suspended in the previous 12 months, the internet registry for ‘.uk’ domain names has said.’
OUT-LAW.com, 17th November 2016
Source: www.out-law.com
Glaxo Wellcome UK Ltd (trading as Allen & Hanburys) and another v Sandoz Ltd [2016] EWHC 2743 (Ch)
The claimants brought an action against the defendant, alleging that by reason of the get up of the defendant’s pharmaceutical it had carried out acts of passing off. Subsequently, the claimants contended that there was evidence to indicate that three foreign companies in the same group as the defendant had taken an active role in the creation of the design of the product and its packaging. The claimants sought to join those companies as primary and/or joint tortfeasors along with the defendant for passing off. It was common ground that before the court would exercise its discretion to join the companies it had to be satisfied that the proposed pleaded allegations against them disclosed a sufficiently arguable.
WLR Daily, 2nd November 2016
Source: www.iclr.co.uk
‘The recent sale of rights to broadcast The Great British Bake Off has highlighted the legal challenges facing broadcasters keen to protect their rights and interests in TV formats.’
OUT-LAW.com, 10th October 2016
Source: www.out-law.com
‘Swimmer Ryan Lochte probably isn’t bothering anyone by trademarking ‘Jeah’, his bizarre victory scream – but can Specsavers really patent ‘should’ve’, or can Facebook own ‘face’ and ‘book’? The world of trademark law is murky indeed.’
The Guardian, 20th August 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
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