Plavix Patent Invalidated in Korea
On 15 October 2009, the Supreme Court of Korea dismissed the appeal in the ‘(patent) registration invalidation’ trial that SANOFI-AVENTIS filed against 16 Korean generic drug companies. The Supreme Court ruled that “the original trial decision stating that ‘the novelty and inventive steps (of the original product) are denied’ is fair and has no misunderstanding […]
Beware of Unsolicited Letters and E-Mails
Recently, new scams which cheat unsuspecting trademark applicants out of large sums of money have mushroomed in a big way. Some of our clients have reported receiving unsolicited letters and e-mails from third parties. These letters seem legal and proper, appearing with seals and official sounding names such as “TM Collection Edition 2010 – International […]
[The Edge Malaysia] Moving Up The Tech Value Chain
[Nanyang Siang Pau] Is Your Design Cool?
[Personal Money] Leveraging On Your Brand
Oftentimes, people see the successful registration of their trademark as the be all and end all of the trademark procurement process, and rarely go on to make full use of the marks once they have claimed ownership. Yes, they may now have a profitable brand in hand, but how can they leverage it?
[The Edge Malaysia] Malaysia as an Innovative Nation
KASS Managing Director, P. Kandiah, shares his thoughts on whether Malaysia is ready to become an Innovative Nation and what must be done so that our journey towards becoming a knowledge-based economy is not a wasted one: Malaysia as an Innovative Nation
[Nanyang Siang Pau] Local Designs Sold to Countries Overseas
Singapore Trademark Update: Navelbine Vs Vinelbine
In an opposition decision that was published in December 2009, the IP Office of Singapore (IPOS) disallowed the registration of the mark VINELBINE in the country. Pierre Fabre Medicament, the owner of the mark NAVELBINE opposed the application for the mark VINELBINE by Dabur Pharma Ltd. The application was opposed on a number of grounds, […]
To Cross or Not to Cross
In today’s hugely competitive technology market, there is bound to be many instances where one company knowingly or unintentionally uses a patented technology without the consent of the patent owner. In a recent sparring match between two major players in the mobile phone manufacturing industry, Nokia Corp (“Nokia”) threw the first blow in October when […]
Thai Patent Update: Optional Features Cannot Accord Novelty
In a recent patent revocation case in Thailand, the Thai Supreme Court has upheld the decision of the Thai IP Court to revoke Thai Patent No. 8912 entitled “Herb Ingredient from Pueraria Candollei” for lack of novelty and an inventive step in view of a document which was published in 1931. Pueraria Candollei is a herb found […]