2020 was a year of change and challenge. This holds true not only for the way we live and work, but also in relation to the patent laws and practices in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). In the last year, a number of significant amendments affecting various aspects of patent prosecution and enforcement were … Continue reading
According to the Shanghai Xinhua News Agency, the Shanghai Second Intermediate People’s Court handed down a first instance decision on 30 December 2020 in favour of Michael Jordan against Qiaodan Sports Company and Bairen Trading Company (both Chinese local companies) in respect of infringement of Michael Jordan’s name rights. In the lawsuit, Michael Jordan claimed … Continue reading
On January 18, 2021, the Federal Court (FC) issued its latest COVID-19 Practice Direction, which supersedes all prior COVID-19 practice directions. The FC’s facilities in Ontario and Quebec have been closed in light of the recent public health measures to combat the pandemic. The FC will continue its operations remotely in these two provinces until … Continue reading
Changes to the design system under consideration set to benefit Australian Designers – Designs Amendment (Advisory Council on Intellectual Property Response) Bill 2020 As we kick off 2021, Australian designers may soon be bringing in the New Year with new design laws. The Designs Amendment (Advisory Council on Intellectual Property Response) Bill 2020 (the Bill) … Continue reading
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and is currently in the Brexit Transition Period. This will end at 11pm on 31 December 2020 – defined in legislation as “IP Completion Day”. The expiry of the Transition Period on 31 December 2020 will impact the protection of trade marks and designs in the EU and the … Continue reading
On 11 November 2020, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed the amendments to the China Copyright Law (the Amendments), which will take effect on 1 June 2021. This is the third time the Copyright Law has been amended since it was promulgated in 1990. The first comprehensive amendment took place in 2001, … Continue reading