The Revised Regulations on Preventing the Use of Intellectual Property Rights in China to Prevent or Restrain Competition
Beginning on August 1, 2023, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) published revised Provisions on Prohibiting the Abuse of Intellectual Property Rights to Exclude or Restrict Competition will be in effect. According to the SAMR, the amendments’ goals are to promote innovation, preserve the market’s system of fair competition in the area of intellectual property, and help build a single national market. By referencing the significant and difficult anti-monopoly issues in the field of intellectual property, the provisions aim [...]
Design patents now included in the Taiwan-South Korea Electronic Priority Document Exchange Program
The applicant must submit a certified copy of the patent application granted by a nation or WTO member where the patent application was submitted within 16 months of the earliest priority date, according to paragraph 2 of Article 2 of the Patent Act. To simplify and streamline the process, Paragraph 1 of Article 22 of the Enforcement Rules of the Patent Act further provides that the priority document shall be deemed to have been submitted by the applicant if [...]
CNIPA and DPMA Extend Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program
In a significant move aimed at fostering collaboration in intellectual property (IP) matters, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) have jointly announced the extension of their Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program. The extension, spanning another three years from January 23, 2024, to January 22, 2027, signifies a continued commitment to facilitating streamlined patent examination processes between the two nations. The established Procedures to file a request to the DPMA [...]
Canada: CIPO Launches MyCIPO Patents
In a move aimed at revolutionizing the accessibility and efficiency of patent services, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has announced the forthcoming launch of MyCIPO Patents, an innovative online portal tailored exclusively for patent-related activities. With this initiative, CIPO seeks to further its mission of facilitating seamless access to its services while leveraging digital technology to enhance user experience. Scheduled for release in the spring, MyCIPO Patents promises a host of features designed to simplify and streamline the patent [...]
Canada: CIPO Implements New Trademark Examination Standards
In a groundbreaking move aimed at expediting trademark examination processes, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has introduced revised service standards effective January 1, 2024. These standards are poised to reduce the timeline for the examination of Canadian trademark applications, offering enhanced predictability and significantly reduced processing times for applicants. Background: Previously, trademark applicants in Canada encountered substantial delays, enduring wait times of up to 60 months before their applications underwent examination. The backlog of filings contributed to prolonged processing [...]
UAE launches intangible assets finance committee and patent incubator initiatives
The UAE Ministry of Economy has launched two innovative initiatives aimed at bolstering intellectual property (IP) development and entrepreneurship in the country. These initiatives underscore the nation’s dedication to nurturing an environment conducive to innovation and supporting the growth of startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The first initiative, the “intangible assets finance committee,” is designed to provide SMEs and startups with access to finance options and financial assistance, thereby easing the funding process for these entities. The objective is [...]
The First-to-File Principle and Priority Principle in Vietnamese Intellectual Property Law
The first-to-file principle and priority principle are two crucial aspects of intellectual property in Vietnam, playing a decisive role in protecting the rights and innovations of individuals and organizations. Understanding these principles not only helps businesses optimize the registration process and intellectual property protection effectively but also ensures legal compliance and fairness in the business environment. To better understand the significance and application of the first-to-file principle and priority principle in Vietnamese Intellectual Property Law, it is necessary to delve [...]
Malaysia inititiates Copyright to You (CR2U) program
The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) has introduced the Copyright to You (CR2U) program, aimed at streamlining the certification and notification process for voluntary copyright applications within the creative industry in Malaysia. This initiative seeks to expedite the certification and notification process under specific criteria and conditions, drastically reducing the processing time from three to six months to just 30 minutes. In 2023, MyIPO received a total of 6,020 applications for copyright notifications, indicating the significant recognition of copyright as [...]
