Patents

How do we close Europe’s innovation gap? Start with advanced connectivity and a strong intellectual property rights framework  – POLITICO

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How do we close Europe’s innovation gap? Start with advanced connectivity and a strong intellectual property rights framework  – POLITICO

Getting the IPR framework right now to unleash long-term innovation EU policies adopted in the next five years will be foundational for Europe’s innovative ecosystem to thrive in the long term, improving conditions for the next wave of intellectual property lifecycles that can take over a decade to bear fruit. A smart and strategic policy … Read more

‘Pablo Escobar’ can’t be registered as EU trademark, court rules – POLITICO

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‘Pablo Escobar’ can’t be registered as EU trademark, court rules – POLITICO

Escobar, a narco-terrorist who was killed in a shootout in 1993, was the leader of the infamous Medellín Cartel and over decades of drug-trafficking became one of the world’s leading cocaine barons. Wednesday’s court decision came after EUIPO previously refused to accept the registration as Escobar’s name, and what the European public associates with it, … Read more

America’s Last Top Models | The New Yorker

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America’s Last Top Models | The New Yorker

The U.S. system was also unique in that no other country required a model to accompany a patent application. The reasons why soon became clear. As early as the eighteen-thirties, the collection had outgrown the Patent Office’s cramped headquarters at the former Blodgett’s Hotel. In 1836, a fire destroyed at least seven thousand models, but, … Read more

Proposed SEP Regulation is a boost for EU innovation – POLITICO

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Proposed SEP Regulation is a boost for EU innovation – POLITICO

The European Parliament will soon take a position on the proposed EU Regulation on Standard-Essential Patents (SEPs), which aims to address imbalances, inefficiencies and uncertainties in the existing SEP licensing ecosystem. The implementation of such an impactful regulation for EU innovation begs on vital question — does the EU regulation on SEPs support the fundamental … Read more

EU competitiveness and licensing of essential technologies – POLITICO

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EU competitiveness and licensing of essential technologies – POLITICO

The authors regularly advise the automotive and IT/tech industry. The views expressed in this article are personal. As things stand now, European manufacturers are at a disadvantage, as patent owners from around the world can exclude devices that implement standards from the market unless manufacturers give in to their royalty demands. The proposed EU SEP … Read more

Give innovators the boost they need: fairness and transparency

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Give innovators the boost they need: fairness and transparency

How often have we heard about the importance of innovation for companies in Europe to stay competitive? Well, now we have a chance to make a real difference to help European industry develop new, innovative smart and sustainable products and services. What is at stake is the little-known but hugely important issue of licensing of … Read more

Apple not to license Masimo’s patents despite Watch import ban

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Apple not to license Masimo’s patents despite Watch import ban

San Francisco: Apple has no intention to license healthcare company Masimo’s blood oxygen detection to end the Apple Watch import ban. Apple CEO Tim Cook told CNBC that the company is focused on appeals. “We’re focused on appeal. There’s lots of reasons to buy the watch even without the blood oxygen sensor,” he was quoted … Read more

A common-sense attempt at balance – POLITICO

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A common-sense attempt at balance – POLITICO

The European Commission’s legislative proposal to improve standardized technology licensing in the EU is a common-sense attempt to restore balance and add transparency to a system that needs it. The European Parliament and the Council should endorse it. The Parliament and EU member countries are currently finalizing their initial views on a European Commission proposal … Read more

Avoiding litigation about patents — what’s not to like? – POLITICO

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Avoiding litigation about patents — what’s not to like? – POLITICO

A recent European Commission proposal to cool the litigious broth about connectivity patents by institutionalizing transparency as a means of avoiding disputes is attracting feverish attention. That fever is excessive: let us calm down and refrain from predicting the end of the world. The proposal is a sensible regime that does not eliminate property rights. … Read more

Apple resumes sale of watches after appeals court lifts US ban

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Apple resumes sale of watches after appeals court lifts US ban

Apple said it would put its latest smartwatch models back on sale in its US retail stores on Wednesday after it won a court ruling in a patent fight, providing a quick reprieve for its US$17 billion business. The company said its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 would also resume online sales from … Read more