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News • IP News This Month
June 22, 2009
Welcome to CIPP's "IP News This Week", your 5-minute report of the latest IP news from around the world. IP News This Week arrives every Monday (most of the time!) and contains a review of all major newspapers and online IP sources. Comments? Send them to: jeff.roberts*at*mcgill.ca
Top 3 Stories
Patented pill peddlers ply Pentagon: newspaper blasts Defense officials for accepting trips and goodies from GSK and other drug makers
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Highest EU court sides with L’Oreal in “smell alike” dispute, says trademarks entitle company to block sale of imitation fragrances
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Katies get catty? Girl-kissing singer Katy Perry sues to block Australian fashion designer Katie Perry from trademarking clothing line
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Canada
Liberals in Question Period said the Internet is important to free ideas and called on the government to support network neutrality
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The Federal Court upheld Pfizer’s patent for Viagra
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United States
A judge temporarily enjoined the publication of an unauthorized would-be sequel to Catcher In the Rye; the defendant responded with strategic rhetoric about book banning
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Prof Boyle notes that the Obama administration’s copyright policy will likely be shaped by Silicon Valley not just Hollywood; overall, he does not sound especially optimistic
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The Chicago IP clearing house Ocean Tomo has been obtained by the UK brokerage firm ICAP for $10 million in cash and shares
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Editorial cartoonists are the latest group to gnash about Google using their work without compensation
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A jury found downloader celebre Jammie Thomas liable for $220K in copyright infringement; a music business exec says the mother was manipulated by the EFF et al
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A USA Today editorial comes out against gene patents
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A biotech CEO replies that there is nothing to worry about
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A prof at Harvard Business School and his colleague examine empirical data to argue that file-sharing improves consumer welfare and does not discourage artistic production
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Europe
The Guardian has a should read on a new start-up aimed at allowing consumers to break the encryption on any media software; famous hackers and a physicist are among those at the company
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Yet more people are suing over Harry Potter; an author’s estate says the book was based on a 1987 work about Willy the Wizard but JK Rowling says she has never heard of it
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The law column in the Financial Times gives thumbs down to the proposed Google Books copyright settlement, warning of a cartel and barriers to entry
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Ireland is the latest European country to open a national branch of the Pirate Party (Sunday Mirror, June 22)
International
Glaxo is rapidly expanding into emerging market through an alliance with Indian generics giant Dr. Reddy’s
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New registrations for geographical indications continue to surge in India
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IP News This Week is written and conceived by Jeff Roberts (www.jeffjohnroberts.com). Any views expressed do not necessarily reflect the diverse opinions of CIPP members