Never too late: if you missed the IPKat last week

Were you away or just too busy to read the IPKat last week? As usual, nothing to worry about: thanks to our dear friend and colleague Alberto Bellan it is #NeverTooLate (now on its 84^th edition) to catch up.

So here’s what happened on this very blog last week:

* PhD Student Seminar at CIPA

A few days ago Darren attended the inaugural running of an event at the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys - a seminar for PhD students. Many young IP enthusiasts discussing many IP issues = a perfect combination for a Kat!

* Intellectual Property meets Antimonopoly law in Japan

The Japan Fair Trade Commission has recently released an amendment to the “Guidelines for the Use of Intellectual Property under the Antimonopoly Act”, in order to address the issue of how the JFTC approach cases involving standard essential patents in patent litigation. Katfriend Kaori Minami of Squire Patton Boggs reports.

* German Federal Patent Court (partially) invalidates 80% of litigated patents

A study provides an astonishing empirical look at the invalidation rate before the German Federal Patent Court and German Federal Court of Justice. Mark tells all.

* Inquiry as to damages: no longer a rare avis?

Brian Whitehead, at Kempner & Partners, provides an edifying summary regarding the increased feasibility of electing an inquiry as to damages in connection with patent litigation.

* US trade secrets legislation on the way to full Senate consideration

Ka friend and trade secret expert, James Pooley, has flagged up two key changes to the US Defence Trade Secrets Act, relating to whistle-blower protection and the language on "threatened misappropriation".

* Trends in IP Data

How do you measure IP? Data on IP is scarce; inaccessible registries, unregistered rights and privately held information don't help. Yet, recent trends in IP data suggest progress is being made, Nicola says.

* EPO appoints new Chief Economist

The EPO has announced the appointment of its new Chief Economist. Definitely a dream-job, writes Merpel.

* Can GIFs infringe copyright? In Europe the answer is potentially 'yes'

GIFs reproduce (very) short extracts of films or other likely-to-be-copyright-protected material, more-often-than-not for non-commercial purposes. Can you protect it with copyright? You bet, says Eleonora.

* Katcall for new positions in the IPKat team

The IPKat team is calling for candidates for a new role, to be called "InternKat". Among other exciting duties, those who will get the positions will have the honour to keep writing these lovely weekly round-ups. The deadline expires on 29^th February. Before that, it is #nevertoolate to get into the fabulous Katworld!

* Star Wars: Good or bad for movie myth-making?

Considering the “wider” significance of the December 2015 launch of the movie, “The Force Awakens”, the latest and probably the most profitable instalment in the Star Wars saga, IP in general, and copyright in particular, may be doing harm to our reservoir of content creation, says Neil.

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PREVIOUSLY, ON NEVER TOO LATE

Never too late 83 [week ending on Sunday 31 January] – The AmeriKat from the Silicon Valley | INGRES conference on developments in European IP law 2015 - patents | Economics of UK creative industries |Stretchline v H&M | Merck KGaA v Merck Sharp & Dohme | Ethics in IP | Social dialogue at the EPO | Ms Potter's extended copyright | CJEU on TMs' genuine use | Replicating works in museums.

Never too late 82 [week ending on Sunday 24 January] – Economics of legal professions | One shot to boost your EU trade marks | AG's opinion on fair compensation | Enforcement Directive consultation and UPC | Armonised grace period | Draft UK Legislation on Unitary Patent and Unified Patents Court | Arnold J's ruling in KitKat | Linking and copyright | GE moves to Boston.

Never too late 81 [week ending on Sunday 17 January] – Talented IP barristers 2015 | Wright Hassall LLP v Horton Jr & Anor [2015] EWHC 3716 (QB) | Economics of Collective Management Organisations | International jurisdiction in online EU trade mark infringement cases | SUEPO officials fired, downgraded | Electromagnetic Geoservices v Petroleum Geoservices  [2016] EWHC 27 | Accord Healthcare Limited v. medac Gesellschaft [2016] EWHC 24 (Pat) | New PCT Applicant's Guide | US Defend Trade Secrets Act.

Never too late 80 [week ending on Sunday 10 January] – Allergan's patent extortion claim, Samsung's damages petition, Revlimid generic settlement & more! | Recovery for pecuniary loss and moral prejudice | EU Trade Secrets Directive | Journal d’Anne Frank as a trade mark?! | New Patent Act in Spain | Yellow as a trade mark in Australia | Innovation is the dirty little secret of IP | David Keltie.