24 April 2024   Legal experts predict commission’s rule banning non-competes will be overturned by US Supreme Court | US Chamber of Commerce plans to sue the FTC for its “unlawful” and “blatant power grab” | Ruling aimed at promoting competition and protecting workers' freedom | Creates a “risky landscape” for businesses by taking away “best means” of preventing trade secrets misuse, say critics.

Latest Features

Trademarks
From their origins in surplus plastic, ‘jelly’ shoes have been produced by luxury brands and become cultural symbols in Africa, says Inês Sequeira of Inventa.
Diversity
The conversation on how law firms can better protect the wellbeing and mental health of their employees has been reignited over the past few months. Could there finally be a culture shift ahead? Sarah Speight reports.
Diversity
A career in STEM and IP felt like a natural fit for Gillian Taylor from Reddie & Grose, until she realised that, as a woman, she was part of a small minority in the patent profession.
AI
When someone shared an image made using StableDiffusion on social media, the ensuing case drew wide attention and set a precedent, explains Hongxia Wu of CCPIT Patent and Trademark Law Office.
Diversity
As SCOTUS bars affirmative action in colleges and law firms face suits over their diversity programmes, campaigners warn that this is not the time to abandon the good fight. Muireann Bolger reports.
Diversity
WIPR spoke to the Norwegian Industrial Property Office’s director general to find out how the country is striving to close the gender gap, tackling injustices against minorities and adapting for the future.
Trademarks
The UK’s biggest supermarket’s recent loss in its dispute with Lidl is ultimately a costly failed branding campaign. Richard May and Robyn Trigg of Osborne Clarke examine why, and explain how brands can avoid the same fate.
Copyright
The office is not backing down over Stephen Thaler’s appeal to copyright an AI-generated landscape image. Ron Dreben, Meaghan Kent and Matthew Julyan of Morgan Lewis explain why.
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Trademarks
22 April 2024   Multinational conglomerate filed a lawsuit against a Florida-based travel company, and its directors | Allegations include trademark infringement and fraud at the USPTO | Travel company accused of damaging EasyGroup’s goodwill and reputation | Suit adds to history of EasyGroup’s multiple trademark suits.
Diversity
22 April 2024   Research shows that gender parity in international patenting will only be achieved in 2061. Ann Chaplin, the chip maker’s general counsel, shares how the company is aiming to accelerate this timeline.
Standard essential patents
22 April 2024   The High Court found Lava to be an ‘unwilling licensee’ and ordered it to pay almost $30m in damages in this case that dealt with FRAND terms, unfair conduct and SEP principles, say Sonal Madan and Nanki Arneja of Chadha & Chadha.
Patents
19 April 2024   Proposed rules come amid scrutiny of boards application of the Fintiv rule that preclude an inter partes review in certain scenarios | Rules aim to refine existing practices governing the director Kathi Vidal’s discretionary powers.
Standard essential patents
19 April 2024   Swedish multinational asked court to hand jurisdiction over global cross-licence to US court | Judge said FRAND determination on cellular SEPs would be ‘a first’ for US district court.
Trademarks
19 April 2024   The Chinese tech conglomerate publishes report showing increases in ‘crowdsourced’ reporting and criminal cases | Number of global brands using the Brand Protection Platform on Weixin rises | Danny Marti, head of global affairs, tells WIPR why platform is “unique”.
Patents
18 April 2024   Footwear giant has sued American Exchange Apparel Group over alleged infringement of its patented shoe opening | Complaint accuses AEAG of wilfully copying Skechers' distinctive design elements | Suit marks Skechers' latest effort to protect its IP.
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