UK

Few People Download Illegally, But Those That Do, Do It A Lot

The few, the mighty. That’s one way to describe illegal downloading habits.

Canadians Make Their Mark on Global Guide for Museum IP

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has updated its Guide on Managing Intellectual Property for Museums, with two Canadians playing major roles in the Guide’s creation.

Interflora – The Latest Legal Decision in the Blossoming Google AdWords Debate

The verdict is in for the lengthy European trade-mark battle between British flower competitors Marks and Spencer (M&S) and Interflora regarding Google AdWords and trade-mark infringement. Victory goes to the trade-mark holder, Interflora.

Beyond Knowledge and Consciousness – The Development of Liability for Misuse of Trade Secrets in the UK

On May 22nd, 2013, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (“UKSC”) decided the case Verstergaard, and in doing so created an important precedent concerning the relevance of subjective aspects of personal liability when misusing trade secrets and confidential information.

Sitting This One Out: SCC Refuses to Clarify “Promise of a Patent” Doctrine

Last month, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) denied leave to appeal in the case Eli Lilly Canada Inc v Novopharm Ltd, passing on an opportunity to clarify the controversial “promise of the patent” utility requirement for Canadian pharmaceutical patents.

Defriend: Privacy Concerns are back in the Newsfeed

An Austrian student studying law in Silicon Valley has raised serious flags about Facebook’s lack of adherence to privacy law and disclosure regulation.

UK Collecting Societies To Adopt Minimum Standards

The UK government has released a minimum standards document detailing codes of conduct to be implemented by all UK collecting societies. The document details collecting societies’ obligations to rights holders and licensees, and follows recommendations made in an independent report commissioned by Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010.

Clash of the Tartans…

In Abraham Moon & Sons Ltd v. Thornber and others, the Patents County Court (“PCC”) in London held that a firm called “Art of the Loom” and its partners (“defendants”) had infringed Abraham Moon’s (“claimant”) copyright in “Skye Sage”. This decision is noteworthy because it serves as an example of how copyright law relates to the […]

Stay Wars: Apple Strikes Back (UPDATED)

Having won the patent infringement battle in the High Court of Justice of England & Wales, Samsung is determined to win the war. Apple, however, is attempting to stave off the offensive by fighting to have a controversial court order stayed.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service: UK Extends Meaning of IP in Phone Hacking Case to Remove Self-Incrimination Privilege

In the latest portion of the legal fallout from the News of the World “phone hacking” scandal, the UK Supreme Court held that former footballer and private investigator, Glenn Mulcaire must reveal his contacts with the corporation.