The newsfeeds of Intellectual Property enthusiasts and connoisseurs of fine desserts were recently inundated with news of the Rasgulla being granted Geographical Indication (‘GI’) registration in India. In the midst of all the hype and hoopla, the Chief Minister of West Bengal (a State to the east of India) went on to tweet “Sweet news […]
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Mattel, Inc. v Aman Bijal Mehta: A Loss of Face for ‘Barbie’?
“Hi, Barbie….Hi, Ken! Do you wanna go for a ride? Sure, Ken! Jump in…I’m a Barbie girl in the Barbie world……Life in plastic, it’s fantastic! You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere…..Imagination, life is your creation…..Come on, Barbie, let’s go party!……I’m a blond bimbo girl in a fantasy world…..Dress me up, make it tight, […]
Singapore and China PPH Extension Keeps Up Accelerated and Dynamic Patent Procedure
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and State Intellectual Property Office of China (SIPO) have extended their joint effort for fast and efficient patent protection through the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program. The extension agreement was signed on September 17, 2017 and will be effective until August 31, 2019. Mr. Daren Tang, Chief Executive […]
New Indonesian Customs Regulation for Protection of IP Rights
The Indonesian Government has recently implemented legislation to assist IP owners to enforce their copyrights and trademarks. The Regulation (No. 20 of 2017) came into force on August 2, 2017. The new Regulation provides that IP owners with rights registered in Indonesia may apply for customs recordal to the Directorate General of Customs and Excise […]
Brunei’s Patent Examination System to Increase Efficiency Through Agreement with Japan
On August 28, 2017, the Brunei Intellectual Property Office (BruIPO) signed an agreement to introduce a new patent examination initiative – the Patent Prosecution Highway Plus (PPH+) – with the Japan Patent Office (JPO), which will commence on October 1, 2017. Using this PPH+ system, patent prosecution procedures in Brunei are accelerated by allowing BruIPO […]
A Prefix Can Fix – Apple’s iPad v Xiaomi’s MI PAD
A clash between two tech giants before the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), Apple Inc. v Xiaomi Singapore Pte Ltd [2017] SGIPOS 10, ended when the ruling favored Xiaomi (“the Applicant”) to register the mark ‘MI PAD’ for its computer tablet products in the face of a move from Apple Inc. (“the Opponent”), the […]
Myanmar Presents New Trademark Bill
Myanmar has yet to produce its own specific legislation on trademarks. As a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), the nation is expected to deliver its IP laws in the near future to provide protection for trademarks, copyright, patents, and other intellectual property. From August 8-10, 2017, […]
Updates on Use Requirements for Trademark Registrations in the Philippines
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) recently announced changes to the filing of Declaration of Actual Use (DAU) for registered marks. On 7 July 2017, the Registry issued Memorandum Circular No. 17-010 (IPOPHL MC No. 17-010; Subject: Rules and Regulations on Trademarks, Service Marks, Trade Names and Marked or Stamped Containers of 2017) […]
Updates on Use Requirements for Trademark Registrations in the Philippines
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) recently announced changes to the filing of Declaration of Actual Use (DAU) for registered marks. On 7 July 2017, the Registry issued Memorandum Circular No. 17-010 (IPOPHL MC No. 17-010; Subject: Rules and Regulations on Trademarks, Service Marks, Trade Names and Marked or Stamped Containers of 2017) […]
Post-Grant Amendments from Method of Treatment to Swiss-Style – The Singapore Position Clarified
Warner-Lambert Company LLC v Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd [2017] SGCA 45 Introduction In the landmark case of Warner-Lambert Company LLC v Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd [2017] SGCA 45, the Singapore Court of Appeal explored, inter alia, the permissibility of amending method of treatment claims to Swiss-style claims. Significantly, the matter was heard before a 5-Judge […]