This comprehensive book examines the judicial governance of the patent system in Europe and beyond, and looks at mechanisms for enhancing coherence. Federica Baldan investigates the challenges to judicial coherence which may arise after the establishment of a specialised patent court in Europe.

This book provides an in-depth study on current perceptions of, and responses to, fragmentation in the European patent system (EPS). For decades, attempts have been made to address this fragmentation by introducing a unitary patent system. The most recent attempt, the EU unitary patent system, will be the first of its kind. It is expected to significantly change the EPS. However, rather than reducing existing fragmentation, it will likely add to it. Based on an analysis of the current and forthcoming system, the book argues that the inherent nature of fragmentation within the EPS needs to be recognised and suggests that a multifaceted approach is required to respond to it. Uniquely, it draws on work regarding fragmentation outside of the patent and intellectual property regimes, gaining insights from both European law-making and the international legal system. These insights are used to investigate current responses to fragmentation in the EPS. Interpretations of substantive patent law are examined, including claim construction (Actavis v Eli Lily), exceptions to patentability related to uses of human embryos for industrial or commercial purposes (WARF, Brüstle, ISCC), and products resulting from essentially biological processes (Broccoli and Tomatoes II, G3/19). Attempts towards convergence in these areas have had mixed results and in some instances fragmentation may be necessary. However, similar techniques to those applied in the international legal system to respond to fragmentation are being used in the EPS, and, where this is seen, it has been to good effect. It is argued that these methods should be recognised, structured, and promoted to make our response to fragmentation more effective. Fragmentation and the European Patent System will be of interest to academics, students and practitioners looking for a new perspective on the EPS.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of European Patent Law. It presents a critical analysis of the European patent law system and the proposed changes to it. The book explores the strengths and weaknesses of the European Patent Convention, and the interaction between the national and the European level, as well as across borders.

This volume is for students and scholars of intellectual property law, practitioners seeking creative arguments from across the field, and policymakers searching for solutions to changing social and technological issues. The book explores the tensions between two fundamentally competing demands made of IP law.

'This book fills a gap in IP law. There are many publications on substantive and procedural law in IP litigation. But it was impossible to find a book that addresses the role of the judiciary in IP like this one does. It provides unique insights into the matter from a variety of angles. It brings together editors and authors from the bench, the bar and academia coming from all over Europe, the US and Japan. This book is a must-have for everyone who has an interest in international IP litigation.' - Klaus Grabinski, Justice, Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof), Germany 'This volume makes an important contribution to our understanding of the contours of intellectual property protection through a critical examination of the global trend to adjudicate IP disputes in specialized courts. The editors have assembled an extraordinary group of scholars, practitioners and judges to compare their experiences with various adjudicatory structures.' - Rochelle Dreyfuss, New York University, School of Law, US Intellectual Property and the Judiciaryexamines the role of judges in the development, interpretation, and application of intellectual property (IP) law and norms. In this regard, the authors engage in a comparative analysis of various national, European and international court systems while also exploring the competing and complementary roles of legislators and executive actors. Each chapter seeks to capture the comparative institutional advantages of government bodies within existing legal frameworks as well as offering a thorough examination of both the common law and civil law traditions in the context of judicial treatment of IP. The result is a series of proposals relating to the architecture of judiciaries and the functional role of judges with the goal of optimally positioning jurists to address complex issues and advance IP doctrine and policy. Featuring high-level authors from both academia and practice, the book will be of great interest to academic researchers and practicing lawyers who have a focus on IP. It will be of particular value to those who are engaged in the rapidly changing enforcement environment of intellectual property rights. Contributors include: V. Cassiers, M. Ekvad, S. Frankel, C. Geiger, D. Gervais, S. Granata, J. Griffiths, E. Izyumenko, T. Kandeva, S. Lugienbuehl, B. Lynn, S. Martin, C. Mulder, M.O. Müller, C. Nard, K. O'Malley, C.S. Petersen, A. Plomer, J. Schovsbo, X. Seuba, A. Strowel, T. Takenaka, A. von Mühlendahl, G. Würtenberger, P. Yu

Judicial dialogue is one of the pressing phenomena in contemporary EU law and constitutional law. It is a device of judicial policy-making and networking and an instrument for policy coordination and negotiation between the national, international and supranational legal orders. Judicial dialogue is also tipping point of the influence of courts on multilevel constitutional politics in the context of global constitutional (dis)order. This book provides original analysis of the different aspects of judicial dialogue. It starts with exploring the constitutional dimension of this phenomenon. The volume offers insightful analysis in relation to the spheres of public finance management, putting emphasis on the judicial dialogue related to the Economic and Monetary Union and the Eurozone crisis management. It outlines important issues of judicial dialogue in Private International Law and international dispute settlement. The book finishes with enlightening case-studies of the judicial dialogue between the Court of Justice of the EU and several national courts. The book offers novel theoretical insights and comparative research combined with case-studies.

The Constitutional Framework for Enhanced Cooperation in EU Law analyses the primary-law framework of the flexibility tool of “enhanced cooperation”. Against the background of recent Member State practice, Robert Böttner redefines its constitutional rules and draws conclusions on its potential for European integration.