Category: Patents / Trade Secrets
WIPO World Intellectual Property Indicators 2021: the pandemic did not stop intellectual property
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has published its 2021 Indicators Report (WIPI Report 2021). In this article we will look at the main aspects of the document, which provides a detailed analysis of global trends in relation to filing, registration, validity and other aspects of intellectual property around the globe, as we did with […]
Added matter as a ground for revocation of a patent
Amending a patent application or a patent that has been granted, in such a way that it contains subject-matter which extends beyond the content of the application as originally filed, is a ground for revocation of said patent. This ground for revocation, which has not been explored a great deal in the past, has been […]
I was already like this before you got here: prior use as an exception to patent infringement
The owner of a patent cannot enforce their rights against those who used the invention covered by the patent or made serious preparations for such use before the priority date. To qualify for the “prior use” exception, the third party must have acted in good faith and the preparation acts carried out before the priority […]
“Prior public use”: an effective ground for opposition against the grant of a European patent
The opposition procedure for European patents, enables third parties, within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the patent, to oppose that patent at the European Patent Office (EPO). This opposition procedure for European patents is particularly useful when the patent in question is hindering our commercial interests and we […]
‘Made in China’ goes standard: a reform of the industrial design protection system is bringing the Asian giant into line with international norms
China has taken a further step towards aligning its regulations with the international protection system for designs. On June 1, 2021, the most recent reform of the country’s Patent Act entered into force, which includes significant changes to how industrial designs are regulated. The legal text, dating from 1985, has been reformed on three previous occasions […]
Inventions ‘made in Spain’: How can you protect them properly?
In accordance with the Spanish Patent Law, the first application for a patent made in Spain must be filed at the Spanish Patents and Trademarks Office and penalties can be imposed in the event of the breach of this requirement. This is why it is important to be able to justify the registration of […]