Wednesday whimsies

New body for patent litigators. From Katfriend, scholar and eminent practitioner Micaela Modiano comes news of a new association -- EPLIT (the European Patent Litigators Association). According to Micaela, the goal of the association is to promote fair patent litigation in Europe. Good news for anyone who enjoys joining new societies is that all European patent attorneys who have an "appropriate qualification in patent litigation" [and this might be a bit of an issue, as this SOLO IP post may indicate] are eligible for membership. All other patent practitioners who are qualified according to Article 48(1) or (4) of the Unified Patent Court Agreement (UPCA) are also welcome to join as associate members.

Summer time refreshment ...

(What's the Story) Copyright Glory? Following the success of her recent Post-Fordham Copyright Catch-Up session, fellow Kat Eleonora has announced a further copyright briefing, to be held on Thursday, 12 June 2014 from 14:00 to 18:00 British so-called Summer Time.  Rejoicing in the title "(What's the Story) Copyright Glory?", this time round you can enjoy the chance to discuss such topics as

* Recent copyright decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union, including Case C-360/13 Meltwater (does internet browsing fall within the scope of copyright? We will know on 5 June 2014); 

* Copyright revision around the world, including the EU Commission's Public Consultation and leaked Impact Assessment; 

* The parody, caricature and pastiche exception under UK and EU laws; 

* Orphan works in the EU, UK and US;  

* The Collective Rights Management Directive and the new landscape for collective rights management in the EU. 

 This event will be limited to 20 participants, to provide everybody with the opportunity to discuss fully the present and future of copyright law and policy.  Click here to reserve your place.

Beware! High-flying Kats
are in the air ...

Rise of the AmeriKat? Another Kat is in the news right now. Our very own, dear colleague Annsley Merelle Ward, alias the AmeriKat, has been shortlisted for an honour in the Euromoney Legal Media Group Europe's Women in Business Awards 2014. According to the sponsors, the individual practice area awards recognise the best lawyer in each practice area and the awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 18 June at the London Hilton on Park Lane. Annsley's not the only familiar name on the list (you can check out the full list here). Many of our friends and colleagues past, present and, we hope, future are to be found within the IP nominations. For example:

Best in life sciences
Laëtitia Bénard, Allen & Overy
Cécile Derycke, Hogan Lovells
Penny Gilbert, Powell Gilbert
Morag Macdonald, Bird & Bird
Laura Orlando, Simmons & Simmons
Lucinda Osborne, Covington & Burling
Justyna Wilczynska-Baraniak, DLA Piper Wiater

Best in patent
Nicola Dagg, Allen & Overy
Sally Field, Bristows
Penny Gilbert, Powell Gilbert
Isabelle Leroux, Dentons
Morag MacDonald, Bird & Bird
Morag Peberdy, Covington & Burling
Sophie Rich, Herbert Smith Freehills

Best in trade mark
Antonella Barbieri,
Portolano Cavallo Studio Legale
Laëtitia Bénard, Allen & Overy
Anna Carboni, Redd
Marie-Aimée de Dampierre, Hogan Lovells
Isabelle Leroux, Dentons
Helen Newman, Olswang
Laura Orlando, Simmons & Simmons

Rising star: IP
Margarita Divina, Baker&McKenzie
Rebecca Lawrence, Powell Gilbert
Susan McLean, Morrison & Foerster
Maria Sedykh, Hogan Lovells
Sarah Turner, Hogan Lovells
Annsley Ward, Allen & Overy

What a distinguished list -- well done, murmurs Merpel with unfeigned envy deep and sincere respect.