In this week’s Patent News – Union Cabinet approves proposal for adopting Patent Prosecution Highway Program; NLSIU invites papers for Intellectual Property Review; IPO relaunches registrations of Facilitators under SIPP Scheme; WIPO launches new publication series – “WIPO Collection of Leading Judgments on Intellectual Property” and other news updates.
Indian Patent Updates
Union Cabinet approves proposal for adopting Patent Prosecution Highway Program
The Government, last week approved a proposal for adopting the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Program between the Indian Patent Office (IPO) and patent offices of various other interested countries or regions. The PPH Program will first commence between the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the IPO on a pilot basis for a period of three years. PPH will enable the IPO to receive patent applications in the field of Electrical, Electronics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Physics, Civil, Mechanical, Textiles, Automobiles and Metallurgy, while the JPO will accept applications in all fields of technology.Additionally, Startups and MSME’s will have an opportunity to expedite the examination process and receive a faster grant. According to the official PM India website, PPH Program will have the following advantages:
- Reduction in time to dispose patent applications
- Reduction in pendency of patent applications
- Improvement in quality of search and examination of patent applications
NLSIU invites papers for Intellectual Property Review
National Law School of India (NLSIU) has invited candidates to submit papers for its journal – Intellectual Property Review. The journal is essentially published by the Centre for Intellectual Property Research and Advocacy (CIPRA), National Law School of India University, Bangalore and the IPR Chair of the University. The central theme set for publication is – “Emerging Trends in IPR.” Interested persons may submit their articles, essays, notes, case comments or book reviews before 30th December 2019.
You may click here to access the official notification.
IPO relaunches registrations of Facilitators under SIPP Scheme
On 18th November 2019, the Indian Patent Office published a notification offering an opportunity for newly registered patent agents as well as existing agents to submit their registrations to become a Facilitator under the Scheme for Facilitating Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP). Previously this year, in the month of March, IPO published a list of all registered Facilitators in Patents, Designs and Trademarks under the SIPP. However, according to the notification, the IPO has received a number of requests to relaunch the registration of Facilitators as the number of applications filed by startups has been steadily increasing. Interested patent agents may therefore apply and register themselves as a Facilitator on or before 6th December, 2019. The Official notification can be accessed here.
Patent Disputes, Infringement, Settlement and Licensing
BMW faces allegations of patent infringement.
Abell Foundation and Paice recently instituted a suit for patent infringement against BMW in the U.S. District Court of Maryland. The companies have accused BMW with respect to eight hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles including – 330e iPerformance, 530e iPerformance, 750e xDriveiPerformance, i8 Roadster Plug-in and Mini Countryman Plug-in. Prior to this suit, Paice had filed suits against Ford, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia for infringement of its patents. The companies eventually entered into a licensing agreement with Paice.
International Patent News
EPO and Indonesia sign Reinforced Partnership Agreement
The European Patent Office (EPO) and the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) of Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Reinforced Partnership on 22nd November, 2019. The MoU was executed by EPO President António Campinos and the head of the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) of Indonesia, Freddy Harris at the EPO headquarters. DGIP is said to be the second IP office in Southeast Asia to have a Reinforced Partnership with the EPO. Apart from Indonesia, the EPO has executed a similar MoU with the IP offices of Mexico, South Africa, Ethiopia, Argentina and Malaysia.
The objective of the Reinforced Partnership Program is to establish long term partnerships in strategic and technical areas between the EPO and other offices. It strengthens the global patent system by creating a network of patent offices that use products and tools developed by EPO.
EPO launches all new Espacenet
The European Patent Office (EPO) launched the upgraded version of the patent information search tool, Espacenet on 19th November, 2019. The improved version of the search tool is likely to help users in conducting patent searches by simplifying the process and providing access to over 100 million patent documents filed globally. Espacenet was launched for the first time in 1998, the primary objective of the tool was to provide latest patent records to its users. The latest version of Espacenet consists of a new filtering tool that shows classifications, applicants, inventors, authorities that appear most commonly and allows users to refine their search.
You may click here to watch a two-minute video highlighting the features of the improved search tool.
DIFC enacts new Intellectual Property Law
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has enacted the new Intellectual Property Law with effect from 21st November, 2019 after it received the approval from the Ruler of Dubai, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The new enactment recognizes and provides for the protection of intellectual property rights in Patents, Industrial Designs, Copyrights, Trademarks and Trade Secrets, in UAE. The law also provides for the establishment of a new designation, namely, the Commissioner of Intellectual Property.
You may click here to access the official Intellectual Property Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2019
WIPO launches new publication series – “WIPO Collection of Leading Judgments on Intellectual Property”
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published the first edition of its new publication series- WIPO Collection of Leading Judgments on Intellectual Property, on 21st November 2019. The program was launched at the WIPO headquarters in Geneva as part of the event titled “2019 WIPO Intellectual Property Judges Forum.” Over 128 judges from 74 countries were present at the launch event that took place between the 13th and 15th of November. The publication essentially compiles landmark IP judgements from the most active patent offices of the world. According to WIPO’s official website, the initiative is a part of its efforts to “engage judges from around the world as they share experiences on the common challenges they face and discuss new subject matters and concepts.”
You may click here to access the official publication.
Authored by Vibha Amarnath
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