JPO / IPR Training program FY 2015

Ever since 1996, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) as part of the technical cooperation under article 67 of the TRIPS has provided vigorous support for human resource education in order to reinforce the protection of IP in developing countries. In the 18 years up to FY2013, 4257 trainees from developing countries have completed the IP…

USPTO Changes the Internet Usage Policy

USPTO Change the Internet Usage Policy to Permit Oral Authorization for Video Conferencing Tools by Patent Examiners. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) permit patent examiners to communicate via the Internet (according to Internet Usage Policy) only with individuals who have a written authorization in the application. This Internet usage policy also applies…

World IP Day 2015 – Get up, Stand up, For music.

World Intellectual Property Day is observed on April 26 each year by 188 countries with a variety of events and activities. It aims to increase people’s awareness and understanding of intellectual property (IP). The Hinduja Foundation recently initiated with the Berklee College of Music to set up an India Campus to teach students Indian music, with…

A Radiation- Free Breast Cancer Detection Machine

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women worldwide. Yearly, about 450,000 women die from the consequences of breast cancer, Worldwide. Now, Indian scientist develops prototype of a radiation-free breast cancer detection machine. Prof. Srirang Manohar, an Associate Professor, in the Faculty of Science and Technology’s Biomedical Photonic Imaging Group (BMPI) at…

Trademark Application filed by Stephen Hawking.

The renowned physicist, Professor and inspiration for Oscar- winning film The Theory of Everything, Stephen Hawking has applied to trademark his name. Hawking applied for the trademark at the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) covering goods and services which includes; computer games, powered wheelchairs, greetings cards, and charitable purposes. His life inspired the creation of…

European Patent Office Practices

Over the last few years, there has been number of procedural changes at the European Patent Office (EPO) like, Clarification of the scope of protection prior to search (Rule 62a EPC and Rule 63 EPC), Mandatory responses to the international written opinion prepared by the EPO (Rule 161 EPC) and The European search opinion (Rule…

The Rediscovered Drug

Chicago- based researcher has rediscovered a drug which was neglected decades ago. This drug was initially discovered for blood pressure and then it is rediscovered now as a resuscitative agent. The drug, Centhaquin, was initially discovered in Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, in 1970 to lower the blood pressure in the hypertensive patients. As…

New IP Law in Morocco

A new Industrial Property law (23-13) in place of 17/97 came into force in Morocco recently. Some important changes include: Patents There is a new reach for the divisional patent applications and a provision for compulsory licenses for non- exploitation of an invention. It also confirms that the annuities are only payable once the patent…