Casewatch
We regularly compile summaries of the latest Intellectual Property cases. These are distributed as Intellectual Property CaseWatch. Links to the most recent summaries are listed below. Intellectual Property CaseWatch can also be searched by subject by clicking a link on the left or by country
- trade marks - CTM opposition - colour marks - opposition period - procedure - EC2868/95 Rule 18(1); Art. 42(1) Reg. 40/94
European Court of First Instance
The Black & Decker Corp v OHIM, 18 May 2007 - competition law - abuse of dominant market position – abusive pricing – UK Competition Act 1998 – European Database Directive
Court of Appeal
Attheraces Limited v The British Horseracing Board Limited, 2 February 2002 - trade marks – UK trade marks – examination - application for ‘a transparent bin or chamber forming part of the external surface of the vacuum cleaner’ – inherent distinctiveness – whether the trade mark constitutes a ‘sign’
European Court of Justice
Dyson Limited v. Registrar of Trade Marks, 25 January 2007 - Patents – revocation - obviousness – construction – ‘obvious to try’ – Art 56 European Patent Convention
Angiotech Pharmaceuticals v Conor Medsystems Inc
Court of Appeal, 1 January 2007 - Community Trade Mark - opposition - BUD mark - likelihood of confusion - taking unfair advantage - Art. 8(1)(b) Regulation 40/94
Court of First Instance
Bitburger Brauereri Th. Simon GmbH (Bitburger) v OHIM, Anheuser-Busch Inc. (A-B), 19 October 2007 - trade marks – Community Trade Mark – opposition proceedings – application for Community word mark STENINGE SLOTT – earlier national word mark STENINGE KERAMIK – likelihood of confusion - Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation 40/94
Court of First Instance
Hammarplast AB v Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (CTM Applicant: Steninge Slott AB), 17 October 2006 - Community Trade Marks – opposition – similarity of goods and services – likelihood of confusion – Art 8(1)(b) Council Regulation 40/94
Court of First Instance (Fifth Chamber)
Armacell Enterprise GmbH v OHIM (with NMC SA intervening), 10 October 2006 - patents – registrability - unpatentability – excluded subject matter – method for doing business – program for a computer – method for performing a mental act - Art 52(2) and (3), European Patent Convention
Court of Appeal
Aerotel Ltd v Telco Holdings Ltd & Ors; Macrossan’s Patent Application, 10 October 2007 - copyright – artistic works - dramatic works – literary works – infringement –- video game not a dramatic work - s.3 (1) UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; Navitaire v Easy Jet – Norowzian v Arks (No, 1)
Chancery Division
Nova Productions Ltd v Mazooma Games Ltd & Ors; Nova Productions Ltd v Bell Fruit Games, 20 January 2006 - trade marks – CTM – appeal – 3D – shape – stand-up drink pouches – distinctiveness - Art.7(1)(b) Reg (EC) 40/94
Case C-173/04 P, ECJ
Deutsche SiSi-Werke GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG v OHIM, 1 January 2006 - patents – infringement – construction – skilled person – surgical coagulation device – endoscopes – handles
Chancery Division
Jerome Canaday v (1) Erbe Elektromedezin GmbH (2) Erbe medical UK Ltd (3) Keymed (Medical & Industrial Equipment) Ltd (4) Olympus Corporation, 21 December 2005
