The Pope on IP
Howard extracts from, and links to, Pope Benedict VI’s Encyclical on Social Issues which includes some pronouncements on intellectual property: via here.
IP generally
Dr Gurry in Melbourne
Francis Gurry, the newly appointed Director General of WIPO will be speaking in Melbourne on 3 August 2009:
Intellectual Property, Innovation
and Creativity – Future Global Directions
Intellectual Property, Innovation and Creativity – Future Global Directions
Registration is free, but bookings essential.
More details here (pdf).
Dr Gurry in Melbourne Read More »
Linklaters’ IP update
is online here.
ECJ highlights are:
- Owners of registered trade marks for luxury goods will be encouraged by a ruling of the European Court of Justice in Copad SA v Christian Dior Couture SA.
- The European Court of Justice has confirmed that domestic legislation which seeks to prohibit businesses from offering goods and services tied to the offer of other goods and services is in breach of EU consumer protection rules.
Linklaters’ IP update Read More »
New Federal courts structure
The (Cth) Attorney-General has announced (pdf) that the Federal Magistrates Court will be merged into the Family Law and Federal Courts.
So far as IP generally goes, according to the media release:
The Federal Court will be the single court dealing with all general federal law matters:
The restructured Federal Court will have two tiers;
Appeals and other complex work will generally be heard in the first tier, with shorter, less complex matters redirected to the second tier;
Existing judges of the Federal Court will operate in the first tier;
Federal Magistrates will operate in the second tier;
Upper and lower level Fair Work Divisions, which will hear matters under the Government’s new workplace relations system, will be maintained and provide a one stop shop for employers and employees;
Federal Magistrates appointed to the Federal Court will have expertise in general federal law matters and will continue to be named ‘magistrates’.
Apparently, it is envisaged that the new arrangements will save the Government $7.8million over 4 years. Some of that will be reinvested to improve individuals’ access to the courts.
Access the Report on Future Governance of Federal Family Courts in Australia Report – November 2008 underlying the announcement here (pdf). Consultation paper on the Report here (pdf). Links to the submissions etc. here.
New Federal courts structure Read More »
IP forum
IP Australia is hosting a half day seminar on
The Economic Climate and its impact on innovation in Australia
in Melbourne on Wednesday 6 May 2009 (rsvp by 29 April).
Speakers include (?):
Leon Allen, President, IPTA
Mathew O’Keefe, President of Australia’s manufacturing association AMPICTA and also employed by Fosters
Philip Noonan, Director General, IP Australia
Details via here.
Bushfires and IP Australia
IP Australia has a policy if you have missed, or are about to miss, a deadline because of The Bushfires.
(Un)Official Notice – at the time of writing (it may be fixed by the time you’re reading) the link to the Official Notices doesn’t take you to anything specific.
Bushfires and IP Australia Read More »
Crown use
No, it’s not the long awaited response to the CLRC’s report; instead, IP Australia and the Attorney-General’s Department have published an information sheet about Crown Use of intellectual property (in Australia).
As you will already know all about this, it could be a useful starter for your clients.
Read the glossy (pdf) here.
Landmarks in Australian IP
Dr Emmerson QC (who surely needs no introduction) is going to launch the new book edited by Andrew Kenyon, Megan Richardson and Sam Ricketson – all professors well known to you on 25 March 2009.
Chapters include:
- Potter v Broken Hill: misuse of precedent in cross-border IP litigation by Richard Garnett;
- The Union Label case: an early Australian IP story by Sam Ricketson;
- RPM for RPM: National Phonograph Company of Australia v Menck by (Hon.) Peter Heerey and Nicole Malone;
- Horses and the law: the enduring legacy of Victoria Park Racing by Jill McKeough;
- We have never been modern: the High Court’s decision in National Research Development Corporation v Commissioner of Patents by Stephen Hubicki and Brad Sherman;
- Of vice-chancellors and authors: UNSW v Moorhouse by Sam Ricketson and David Catterns;
- Foster v Mountford: cultural confidentiality in a changing Australia Christoph Antons;
- Cadbury Schweppes v Pub Squash: what is all the fizz about? by Mark Davison;
- The Firmagroup case: trigger for designs law reform by Janice Luck;
- Larger than life in the Australian cinema: Pacific Dunlop v Hogan by Megan Richardson;
- O Fortuna! On the vagaries of litigation and the story of musical debasement in Australia by Elizabeth Adeney;
- The protection of At the Waterhole by John Bulun Bulun: Aboriginal art and the recognition of private and communal rights by Colin Golvan;
- The grapes of wrath: geographical indications, international trade and the Coonawarra case by Matthew Rimmer;
- Waiting for the ‘Billy’® to boil: the Waltzing Matilda case by Leanne Wiseman and Matthew Hall;
- The Panel case by Melissa de Zwart.
and what IP nerd could ask for more to read as the dark cold nights of winter peek over the horizon?
Details of the launch here.
Landmarks in Australian IP Read More »
Philip Noonan live interview
From Peter Ollie at Managing IP:
Managing IP magazine’s Asia editor Peter Ollier will be conducting a live online interview with IP Australia director general Philip Noonan on Friday March 6 at 4pm Australian Eastern Standard Time.
The one-hour interview will cover topics such as the recommendations in Terry Cutler’s venturousaustralia report, innovative step and inventive step in Australia’s patent law, the controversial Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement and the impact of the credit crunch on patent and trade mark applications in Australia.
Registration for this event is free. To register please go to www.managingip.com/webseminars. Registered participants will also be able to submit questions.
Philip Noonan live interview Read More »
IP Professionals Forum
IP Austraia is seeking applications from registered patent attorneys and/or trade mark attorneys for appointment to its IP Professionals Forum.
According to the blurb, the IP Professionals Forum:
The IP Professionals Forum is the principal forum for consultation, discussion and information exchange on IP matters that relate to IP professionals.
Meetings will allow for high-level discussion on IP policy, IP management, innovation and the broader IP environment, both in Australia and abroad. Participants will also be notified of IP Australia’s initiatives and consulted on future activities.
The forum meets biannually. The appointment will be for a term of 2 to 3 years. You have to be prepared to fund your own travel – to Canberra, Melbourne or Sydney depending on where the meeting is.
Oh yes, you will be ineligible if you are already represented by an IP professional association including IPTA, LESANZ, LCA and FICPI. Does that leave anyone left?
More details via here.
IP Professionals Forum Read More »