Intellectual Property Notes

The European Parliament votes in the EU Copyright Directive including controversial Articles 11 and 13

The Court of Justice of the European Union holds that Supplementary Protection Certificates cannot be obtained for new formulations of previously approved active ingredients in Abraxis (Case C-443/17)

Misleading brand name ‘Glen Buchenbach’ infringes the registered geographical indication 'Scotch Whisky'

Political agreement reached on controversial EU Digital Copyright Directive: A fair and balanced result?

Following a turbulent course of lengthy negotiations and delays, political agreement was finally reached by the European Commission, European Parliament …

Herbert Smith Freehills' global Trade Marks Practice lauded a 'formidable force' in WTR 1000 rankings

JAPAN-EU FREE TRADE AGREEMENT NOW IN FORCE

The Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, the largest free-trade agreement between Japan and the EU (aka Japan-EU Free Trade Agreement or JEFTA) …

Herbert Smith Freehills' Brexit Legal Guide updated - comparison of IP and pharma provisions in the draft Withdrawal Agreement versus the No Deal provisions promised by the UK Government

Changes to the UK trade mark regime: Trade Marks Regulations 2018 - coming into force on 14 January 2019

The new EU Trade Mark Directive (2015/2436), designed, in part, to make trade mark law across the EU fit for the digital age, will be implemented into UK …

Preparations for the UPC continue despite an "unpredictable environment"

The UPC Preparatory Committee has issued a “Status of the Unified Patent Court Project” statement and review of 2018, confirming that there …

Advocate General proposes literal interpretation of Article 3(d) SPC Regulation in Abraxis (C-443/17)

The Advocate General of the CJEU proposed a narrow interpretation of Article    3(d) in the Opinion given yesterday in Abraxis …

Patent and Pharma Update - December 2018

Italy moves the unitary patent a step closer