Monthly Archives: April 2006

The European Court of Justice has just held that in determining the scope of protection of a trade mark which has been lawfully acquired on the basis of its distinctive character, a court must take into account the perception of … Continue reading →

Yesterday, I mentioned the Hon Mr Justice Peter Smith’s secret code (Copyright – The Da Vinci Code: ho ho! 27 Apr 2006). Well now we have the decryption – “Judge’s own Da Vinci code cracked” (BBC 28 Apr 2006). His … Continue reading →

The EPO has just published in this month’s Official Journal an up to date list of contracting parties to every conceivable patent treaty and convention. The treaties covered include: Paris Convention Patent Co-operation Treaty Patent Law Treaty Budapest Vienna Convention … Continue reading →

According to the BBC website, the Honourable Mr Justice Peter Smith has brought a touch of levity to the Da Vinci Code case – as if that case needed it (see “Copyright: “Da Vinci Code Case” – No Surprises”). His … Continue reading →

I have attempted my first animated online PowerPoint presentation. It consists of the slides and handout of a talk that I gave last week at Leeds Civic Hall on information security law. I have a full report of it in … Continue reading →

Today is world intellectual property day. According to WIPO press release 445 of 24 April 2006, member states decided to designate this day “to raise awareness of the role of intellectual property in our daily lives, and to celebrate the … Continue reading →

I attended a presentation by David Morgan of the Patent Office at the Leeds Hilton yesterday as part of the consultation on relative grounds of refusal. Having attended the very popular roadshow on software implemented inventions last year (which would … Continue reading →

In case anybody is interested, today is St George’s Day and Shakespeare’s birthday. St George is the patron saint of England so today is our national day. Our national flag is St George’s cross, that is to say a simple … Continue reading →

As promised yesterday, I have just updated my Community Trade Marks page to take account of the new Community Trade Mark Regulations 2006 which come into effect on 29 April 2006. I have also updated my Geographical Indications page to … Continue reading →

Two new statutory instruments will require practitioners’ attention from 29 April 2006:(1) The Community Trade Mark Regulations 2006 (SI: 2006 No. 1027); and(2) The Intellectual Property (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No. 1028).The first of these replace the Community … Continue reading →