Wednesday whimsies

One of the treasures of Holborn,
deep in Dickens' legal London
and in the CIPA heartland ...

Reminded of the existence the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) by this morning's media release from that august organisation of patent attorneys on the Dyson-to-litigate-in-England story (click here for further particulars), this Kat thought he'd ask how the CIPA Congress was going, given that this lovely, lively event is only a few weeks away.  He was gratified to learn that registrants from nearly 20 countries have already signed up for delights that range from an intellectually rigorous and professionally relevant programme and a delicious President's Dinner [Merpel's curious to know if the President's really delicious ...] to an amiable if optional pint at The Old Nick [true!].  If you've not already signed up, there's still just about time and space to do so.  Details of the CIPA Congress and its close cousin the IPAG Conference for intellectual property administrators can be found here [declaration of interest -- this Kat has had a paw in helping out with the entertainment section of the President's Dinner].

Around the weblogs 1.  A long, long way from Holborn, in a land where copyright is as contentious a matter as you could ever imagine, lives the latest addition to the 1709 Blog's team of authors -- Rebecca Giblin, the Muse of Monash. With her enthusiasm, knowledge and apparently effortless understanding of the never-ending stream of new information technologies, Rebecca is poised to make some great contributions to this copyright blog: we wish her well.  Elsewhere on the blogosphere, the path less trodden might soon become a little better trodden if the SOLO IP blog succeeds in getting its email subscription service working properly, as its latest post indicates.  This sweet and gentle blog for IP practitioners who work by themselves or in very small groups, is also still looking for potential contributors -- preferably from IP loners, of whatever variety.

Shopping trolley ...?

Around the weblogs 2.  SOLO IP asks whether there is data to support the contention that job prospects are improving even in the IP sector, here.  Occupying the podium of the IP Finance blog, fellow Kat Neil asks further searching questions about the commercial and strategic dimensions of the still-puzzling Microsoft-Nokia mobile phone deal, following Mike Mireles' earlier post here. On IP Draughts, Another fellow Kat, our dear sister Birgit, has written a whimsical piece as a guest editorial for the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice (JIPLP) on a new mother's view of branding: you can read it here on JIPLP's jiplp weblog.  Mark Anderson articulates his concern about indemnities that go round in circles: if you've been involved in an IP transaction you may feel you've been here before. The MARQUES Class 46 blog announces the publication of Martin Husovec's excellent paper on in rem actions to protect IP by, for example, seeking blocking orders against internet service providers.


A Tale of Two Kitties?  The UK's  Intellectual Property Office is supporting a Fun Kids' initiative to promote responsible use of intellectual property.  According to this initiative:

Nancy and the Meerkats

"Nancy and the Meerkats are a brand new pop group that are about to make it big! And in this new series you can follow their journey to the top! 

They’ve just got a few things to get sorted before they’ll be taking on the likes of One Direction, Fifth Harmony and even Little Mix! 

They have to come up with a logo and register it as a trade mark, use copyright to make sure other bands don’t steal their tunes, protect their records from piracy and loads more important jobs!

These are all very important! Especially as Kitty Perry is always trying to steal Nancy and the Meerkats’ ideas!

Merpel is a little concerned about this and wonders what Katy Perry, sometimes referred to as Kitty Perry (see YouTube clip here and Daily Mail article, "Kitty Perry! Katy displays her purrfect dance routine alongside a giant purple cat", here), might have to say.

New view.  Intellectual Property Magazine, the publication formed by the fusion of Trademark World, Patent World and Copyright World not so many moons ago, has just given its website a facelift.  You can check it out by clicking here. Says Editor Tom Phillips (no relation): "The improvements include a more attractive, easier-to-use design; tailored alerts so you can receive the content that most interests you; and an enhanced search engine. We have also given our daily e-alert a new, minimised appearance so headlines can quickly be scanned, plus created a monthly Editor's Picks alert where I highlight some of my favourite features from the printed issue". So now you know.

Galloping to the rescue ...

Damsel in Distress.  It has been some time since this Kat has come galloping to the assistance of a Damsel in Distress, but he is happy to say that the Age of Gallantry is not over.  Here's a DID who has written in search of guidance from the Kats as follows:

"I am trying to find a course, preferably in London, that deals with Chinese IP law. Could you please advise if you have come across any such courses? It's an area I've received a lot of queries in but I'm struggling to find a UK based class". 

All suggestions are welcome, particularly those from people who may have experienced such courses and also from kind souls who can provide links, contact details etc.