One of the biggest challenges in writing patents for computer-implemented inventions (CII) or "software patents" is the level of disclosure that is required. A patent examiner can reject the patent application in Europe for lack of enabling disclosure (as we have previously reported here) or for "indefiniteness" in the United...
Nutzung von Marken anderer Firmen ohne Zustimmung
Die Frage nach der Zulässigkeit taucht im geschäftlichen Alltag häufig auf. So auch kürzlich, als einer unserer Mandanten uns um rechtliche Einschätzung ersuchte. Unser Mandant entwickelt und vertreibt Software-Plattformen, die mittels Schnittstellen mit IT-Systemen anderer Unternehmen kommunizieren können. Zur Beschreibung des Verwendungszwecks seiner Software-Plattform wollte unser Mandant die angebundenen IT-Systeme beschreiben. Hierfür sollten die Marken (z.B....
What is a “Continuation” Patent Application?
A "continuation application" in the United States is an additional patent application filed by the same applicant as the original pending "parent" patent application to pursue different claims as in the parent application. The continuation application uses the same specification as the parent application and enjoys the same priority date...
Quantum Trademarks
Can you register "QNED" as a trademark in class 9 for, among other goods, TV sets or displays? Or does the acronym QNED means "quantum nano (light-)emitting diode? This was the question decided by the Appeal Board of the European IP Office recently in case R721/2021-4 (Details linked here). The...
Quantum Entanglement and Patent Protection
Quantum Entanglement and Patent Protection Quantum computing may well represent the next challenge in obtaining patent protection, as indicated by a recent decision from the US Court of Appeal of the Federal Circuit upholding a decision by the US Patent Office to reject four patent applications allegedly based on the...
Is the golden colour of the Lindt Gold Bunny protected by trademark law?
The German Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof) stated today in a decision (I ZR 139/20) that the golden colour of the Lindt Gold Bunny is protectable as a trademark under German law. The full reasons for the decision have not yet been published and, only a press release of the...
Accelerating Patent Grants in Europe
Accelerating Patent Grants in Europe through the Patent Prosecution Highway We’re often being told that it takes too long for patents to be granted. Recently, we were asked to support a client that had received a favorable search report during the international phase of a patent filed under the Patent...
Unified Patent Court and Unified Patent in Europe – Back on Track?
The latest episode in the efforts to obtain a single European patent and patent court to cover (most of) the countries in the European Union has overcome its latest hurdle with the decision of the German Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) to reject the request for an interim injunction to stop...
European Directive on Open Data
The deadline for European Union Member States to transpose the European Union's 2019 Open Data Directive into national law expired on 16 July 2021. The new rules update a directive originally agreed in 2013 and address some of the issues that arose in implementing that directive.
Patentfreigabe wegen Corona-Pandemie
Vor dem Hintergrund der weltweiten Corona-Pandemie ist eine intensive Diskussion über die Herstellung und Verteilung der Impfstoffe im Gange. Dabei wurden zuletzt Forderungen lauter, den Patentschutz für Impfstoffe gegen das Corona-Virus SARS-CoV-2 aufzuheben. Die Befürworter dieser Forderung versprechen sich davon eine raschere Steigerung der weltweiten Impfstoffproduktion. Ungeachtet der Frage, ob...