Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this monograph provides a survey and analysis of the rules concerning intellectual property rights in European Patent Convention. It covers every type of intellectual property right in depth – copyright and neighbouring rights, patents, utility models, trademarks, trade names, industrial designs, plant variety protection, chip protection, trade secrets, and confidential information. Particular attention is paid throughout to recent developments and trends. The analysis approaches each right in terms of its sources in law and in legislation, and proceeds to such legal issues as subject matter of protection, conditions of protection, ownership, transfer of rights, licences, scope of exclusive rights, limitations, exemptions, duration of protection, infringement, available remedies, and overlapping with other intellectual property rights. The book provides a clear overview of intellectual property legislation and policy, and at the same time offers practical guidance on which sound preliminary decisions may be based. Lawyers representing parties with interests in European Patent Conventionwill welcome this very useful guide, and academics and researchers will appreciate its value in the study of comparative intellectual property law.

Written by a team of lawyers with long-standing experience in patent litigation in Europe, this book is a comprehensive and practical guide to European patent law, highlighting the areas of consistency and difference between the most influential European patent law jurisdictions: the European Patent Office (EPO), England & Wales, France, Germany and the Netherlands. It is frequently the case that the decisions and approaches of these courts are cited by European patent lawyers of all jurisdictions when submitting arguments in their own national courts. The book is therefore intended to provide a guide to patent lawyers acting in the national European courts today. The book also looks to the future, by addressing all the areas of patent law for which the proposed Unified Patent Court (UPC) will need to establish a common approach. Uniquely, the book addresses European patent law by subject matter area, assessing the key national and EPO approaches together rather than in nation-by-nation chapters; and provides an outline in each chapter of the common ground between the national approaches, as a guide for the possible application of European patent law in the UPC.

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this monograph provides a survey and analysis of the rules concerning intellectual property law in the European Patent Convention (EPC), following generally the structure of the legal provisions, with a special focus on the patentability and patenting procedure. The monograph addresses not only the Convention’s core business, but also the work of its coordinating and implementing bodies, the European Patent Organization (EPOrg) and the European Patent Office (EPO). The concise presentation and interpretation of all relevant texts includes those considered “additional” but which, according to article 164(1) EPC, are in fact integral parts of the Convention – the Implementing Regulation and the Protocols on the Interpretation of Article 69 EPC and on Centralisation, Recognition, Privileges and Immunities, and the Staff Complement. Particular attention is paid throughout to issues arising from the relationship between the EPC and other relevant international and European laws and to recent developments and trends, especially in connection with the unitary patent system. The monograph also includes limited but relevant discussion of the historical development of the bases of the European patent system up to the success story of today. The analysis approaches each right in terms of its sources in law and in legislation, and proceeds to such legal issues as subject matter of protection, conditions and scope of protection, ownership, transfer of rights, licenses, scope of exclusive rights, limitations, exemptions, duration of protection, and infringement. A broad selection of EPO case law clarifies in the most adequate way the substance of the European patent system, as directly originating from it. The book provides a clear overview of intellectual property legislation and policy, and at the same time offers practical guidance on which sound preliminary decisions may be based. Lawyers and patent attorneys representing parties with interests in the European Patent Convention will welcome this very useful guide, and academics and researchers will appreciate its value in the study of comparative intellectual property law.

An excellent text for clients to read before meeting with attorneys so they'll understand the fundamentals of patent, copyright, trade secret, trademark, mask work, and unfair competition laws. This is not a "do-it-yourself" manual but rather a ready reference tool for inventors or creators that will generate maximum efficiencies in obtaining, preserving and enforcing their intellectual property rights. It explains why they need to secure the services of IPR attorneys. Coverage includes employment contracts, including the ability of engineers to take confidential and secret knowledge to a new job, shop rights and information to help an entrepreneur establish a non-conflicting enterprise when leaving their prior employment. Sample forms of contracts, contract clauses, and points to consider before signing employment agreements are included. Coverage of copyright, software protection, and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) as well as the procedural variances in international intellectual property laws and procedures.