Hot Topics

Intellectual Property is playing an increasingly important part in business development. In this section we aim to provide you with updates about some of the most important aspects of Intellectual Property that are being talked about both in business and in the profession. To obtain our Hot Topic update about any of the subjects listed, please click on the relevant PDF tab.

US Business Method Patents - The King is Dead: Long Live the King...

The US Supreme Court recently declined the opportunity to end business method patents. The Court held that US patent law does not necessarily preclude patents for business processes, provided they are not simply abstract concepts. This note discusses the Supreme Court's findings, the new guidelines for examination of business process claims at the US Patent Office and advises on the likely impact of this decision on those doing business in the US.

Software Patents at the EPO...

The Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office ("EPO") has issued its opinion on the President's referral of questions relating to the rules for patenting computer program inventions.

Google Adwords...

The Court of Justice of the EU ("the CJ" - formerly the European Court of Justice) has handed down its long-awaited judgment reviewing whether Google's AdWords expose Google and its business users to liability for trade mark infringement

European Courts Get Taste for Designs...

The European General Court (formerly the Court of First Instance) gave its first ruling in an appeal from OHIM regarding a Community registered design matter on 18 March 2010