CONTENTS

NEWS


Court decisions, litigation and IP news from around the world.

SEPs


SEP owners in the driving seat

It’s been a big summer in the world of SEP licensing, and it seems patent owners have the advantage. Rory O’Neill reports.

TRADE SECRETS


Google and Uber’s trade secrets collision: a cautionary tale for IP owners

The saga of a former Google engineer’s imprisonment for trade secrets theft has highlighted the need for all businesses to be vigilant when it comes to safeguarding confidential information, Oliver Laing and Christie Batty of Potter Clarkson argue.

IP SERVICES


A new Goliath: what’s next after the Clarivate/CPA deal?

This summer marked one of the biggest ever shake-ups in the IP services industry. What does the merger of Clarivate and CPA Global mean for customers and other providers? Rory O’Neill reports.

SEPs


Sisvel v Haier: a win for SEP owners

One of the biggest patent decisions of the year so far, Sisvel v Haier, will change the landscape for FRAND licensing in Germany. Julia Schönbohm of Linklaters unpacks what it means for patent owners and implementers.

PATENTING AI


Dabus and unanswered questions about inventive AI

IP decisions made about Dabus—a “creativity machine”—are likely to accelerate legislative consideration of the patentability of inventions by AI, says Matt Hervey, head of artificial intelligence at Gowling WLG.

TRADE SECRETS


Reveal all to protect trade secrets

What does an IP owner have to do to earn protection for its trade secrets? Robert Yoches and Michelle Rice of Finnegan explore some of the recent requirements laid down by US courts.

GENERIC TMs


Booking.com’s victory: what does it hold for the future of ‘generic.com’s?

The US Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in favour of Booking.com’s right to register its name as a trademark is unlikely to open the floodgates, says Diana Torres of Kirkland & Ellis.

IP IN DENMARK


Denmark: champions of green innovation & IP

Denmark is a frontrunner in Europe when it comes to green innovation, fuelled by recognising the important role of IP, as Sidsel Hauge and Mikkel Roed Trier of Awa explain.

PATENT LITIGATION


Printed publications: an evolving doctrine

While the PTAB’s decision in Hulu provides some guidance for post-grant proceedings, there is still no bright-line rule as to what constitutes a “printed publication”. Eugene Perez of Birch Stewart Kolasch Birch examines current case rulings.

PATENT DATA


US vs China: the race to patent blockchain

As the race between the US and China to patent blockchain heats up, Elizabeth Lam of Minesoft outlines how innovation and research and development insights can be drawn from patent data.

SEMICONDUCTORS


Semiconductors and patent strategy evolution

The semiconductor industry’s approach to IP has largely been shaped by the rapidly developing technology. Arabinda Das of TechInsights charts how patent strategies have evolved.

TECHNOLOGY


Embrace change to create new markets

Disruptive technology creates productive lawyers, business growth and stability, so it’s time for law firms to embrace its potential rather than fearing it, as Charles Hill and Daniel Comerford of TrademarkNow argue.

CHINA: GAMING PATENTS


The name of the game: ‘legal’ before ‘patentable’

To obtain a gaming patent, one must ensure the application uses non-‘gambling’-related terms, Yonggang Wang, CCPIT Patent and Trademark Law Office explains.

COVID-19


A delicate balance: IP rights and the public interest

Despite only one compulsory licence being granted in India so far, the country’s provisions could prove a useful tool in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Ranjan Narula and Suvarna Pandey of RNA Technology and IP Attorneys report.

TRADEMARK LAWS


New IP law in Mexico

Christian Thomae of Dumont outlines the significant amendments made to Mexico’s industrial property law following the signing of the US–Mexico–Canada Agreement.

JURISDICTION REPORTS


Country-focused updates from the world’s top IP lawyers.

MOVERS & SHAKERS


The latest hires, office openings and IP industry moves.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING


A handy directory of IP service providers.

Issue 3, 2020


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