Institute of Patent Attorneys, India

2012-03-10T17:08:00.000+05:30

Samsung Patent Reveals New Galaxy Android Smartphone Titles – Accelerate, Express & Thunder

Samsung has given the tech world a little insight into the future of its Android smartphone line-up by revealing some of the heroic new names for some of its recently filed US trademark patents. Like a comic book team-up the Galaxy range will soon welcome Thunder, Express and Accelerate!

All three of these upcoming models are believed to included Samsung’s NFC payment system Samsung Wallet and we think these pace based named this clearly suggests some quad-core or 4G connected offering coming the way of the west from Korean mobile giant. This would bring the so-far impressive Galaxy lineage up to speed – quite literally. Bearing in mind networks such as T-Mobile stock the SGSII under a number of variant titles such as Blaze 4G, it’s said that these codenamed could in fact be specific carrier versions of the much-anticipated and as of yet unannounced or even unconfirmed Samsung Galaxy III. But as we know Samsung is biting it’s tongue on this subject for the time being.

Other names registered for trademark protection were outted back in January, but these devices had the far less exciting titles Fresh and Joy. All of these models will be expected to come carrying latest Android software Ice Cream Sandwich – which was the launch companion to Google and Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus.

Originally posted in gadgetonline.com

2012-03-01T18:41:00.001+05:30

Google recently filed a patent supporting its Instant Search feature that specifically covers query completion and related search results.

Google has protected its Instant Search feature since June 2004, when it filed a document titled "Anticipated query generation and processing in a search engine" (granted in November 2010). the company recently detailed the initial patent with a new filing that explains "predictive query completion and predictive search results" on a much deeper level than the initial patent does.
The patent application, which was submitted in August of 2011, describes a dynamic process in which the search query entered by a user is monitored and completed depending on the likelihood of input intentions. Dynamic search results are being displayed and changed depending on the predictive search query completion that is updated with every new letter that is entered by the user.
The document pays special attention to the "excessive bandwidth" a predictive search system requires. According to the patent, the technology is able to determine delay criteria and prioritizes them: "In some implementations, the search service can invoke different delay criteria for different clients based on the number of query suggestion requests received from respective clients, the number of prediction criteria met for respective clients, based on the time interval between consecutive query suggestion requests for a respective client, and/or based on the time interval between the determination of consecutive prediction criteria being met for a respective client."
Google also notes that the speed of serving search results can be "throttled" based on the quality of the data connection to the client. The higher the available bandwidth " the more aggressive the search service is in providing search results." The patent application also covers ad serving based on predictive search results, but does not include the feature of pre-rendering web pages in search results. Source : Tomsguide

2012-01-30T11:32:00.000+05:30

PATENT AGENT TRAINING COURSE, FOR 2012 EXAMINATION.

(FEBRUARY-2012- APRIL 2012)

RULES/REGULATIONS

Institute ofPatent Attorneys, India (IPAI) is providing professional training inIntellectual Property Rights for candidates to appear for Patent AgentsExamination, conducted by Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Govt. of India)through Patent Offices and obtaining qualifications necessary to practice as aPatent Agent/Patent Attorney under the Patent Act and Rules.

The Institute of Patent Attorneys, India(IPAI) was founded in 2005 by K. Radhakrishnan Nair, Advocate & PatentAgent of “Nairs Worldwide IPR Services”, a leading IP Law Firm. It serves as aCenter of Excellence in Teaching, Training and Research in Patent Laws.

Mr. R. K. Nair has more than 20 yearsstanding in his profession.Mr. Nair is an Expert in Indian, EU, US and Japan Patent Laws. SeveralInternational Patent applications filed by him as per Patent Cooperation Treaty(PCT) were published by International Bureau of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva, Switzerland.Being the Director of Institute of Patent Attorneys, India, hundreds ofAttorneys are trained by Mr. Nair.

Mr. Nair attended WIPO Executive Programme, “StrategicIntellectual Property Finance”at Geneva, Switzerland and-

Japan Patent Office, Training “JPO/IPR Trainingfor Patent Experts” at Tokyo.

He is a Visiting Faculty for Patent Laws, Departmentof Biotechnology, NSIT University of Delhi.

CareerProspects and Placement Services.

Institute of Patent Attorneys Shall provides 100%Placement assistance those who successfully cleared the Patent AgentExamination Conducted by the Controller of Patents. Patent Agents/Attorneyshave ample number of job opportunities in Intellectual Property Law Firms, as wellas Corporate Organizations. They can choose channels like in-house Advisors fordifferent organizations or start their own Attorney’s Firms and ConsultancyServices.

ELIGIBILITY :- Degree in Science, Engineering or Technology.

TRAININGMODE:- Correspondence with Class Room Training

Study materials will be sending bycourier/by registered post immediately after joining the course. Our studymaterials shall cover the syllabus.

30 hours Class Room Trainingshall be conducted in March 2012.

Class Roomtraining at New Delhi,

In New Delhi we are conducting 30 hours Class Room Training, Regular batch andWeek End batch.

Class Roomtraining at Bangalore.

30 hours ClassRoom Training ( Regular batch only)

Class Roomtraining at Chennai, Hyderabad.

Local Class RoomTraining shall be conducted at Chennai/ Hyderabad, if sufficient candidates are enrolled from theabove centers.

Class Roomtraining at Mumbai, Pune & Kolkata.

Local Class RoomTraining shall be conducted at Mumbai/Pune and Kolkata,

if sufficientcandidates are enrolled from the above centers.

CLASS ROOM TRAINING - (5 Days x 6 hours=30)

Monday-10.00 AM-1.00 PM –Theory & 2.00 PM-5.00 PM- Drafting

Tuesday-10.00 AM-1.00 PM –Theory & 2.00 PM-5.00 PM- Drafting

Wenesday-10.00 AM-1.00 PM –Theory & 2.00 PM-5.00PM -Drafting

Thurseday-10.00 AM-1.00 PM –Theory & 2.00 PM-5.00PM –Drafting, Exercise, solving 2010 Question Papers

Friday-10.00 AM-1.00 PM –Theory & 2.00 PM-5.00 PM -Drafting , Exercise, solving 2011 Question Papers

Dates and Venue will be communicated tothe candidates.

EXAMINATION

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Govt. of India) will conduct Examination
through Patent Offices at New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai as per Newschedule Examination. We shall forward the new schedule immediately afternotification to all our candidates.

EXAM SYLLABUS

The qualifying examination shall consistof the following papers and marks, namely: -

Paper I – Patent Act and Rules 100

PaperII- Drafting and interpretation of Patent specification and other
documents 100

Viva Voce 100

Total marks: 300

The qualifyingmarks for each written paper and for the viva voce
examination shall be fifty per cent each, of total marks and a candidate
shall be declared to have passed the examination only if he obtains an
aggregate of sixty per cent of total marks.

COURSE FEE:-

Rs.15, 000/- (Rupeesfifteen thousand only)

Fee should be paid by cash or by DD drawn in favour of“The Institute of Patent Attorneys” (IPA), India, payable at New Delhi.

Transfer to our Account:

A/c Name: INSTITUTE OF PATENT ATTORNEYS(IPA) ,INDIA

A/c No.1022-101-1000781

ORBC0101022.

Oriental Bankof Commerce

Sector-10,Dwarka, Delhi- 110 072

Terms & Conditions

1. Fee once paid is not refundable under anycircumstances.

2. Fee should be paid by cash or by DD drawn in favourof The Institute of Patent Attorneys (IPA), India, payable at New Delhi.

3. The candidates are to apply directly to theController of Patents, paying the prescribed fee for the registration to appearfor the Patent Agent Examination 2011.

The training course will comprise the following: -

1. Introduction to Intellectual Property rights.

It covers all aspects of intellectual propertyrights i.e. Patents,
Trademarks, Geographical Indications,Industrial Designs and Copyright.

2. The Patent Act and Rules.

It covers explanation and understanding of ThePatents Act, 1970 with
special emphasis on Paper I of thePatent Agent Examination.

3. Patent Specification Drafting and otherdocuments & Interpretation.

It covers all the practical and technical aspects of drafting of a Patent
Specification and other documents with special emphasis on Paper II of thePatent Agent Examination .

COURSE CERTIFICATE

Institute ofPatent Attorneys, India (IPAI) shall issue a separate certificate of training:-

“PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN PATENT LAW& PRACTICE”

TheLast date for submitting the application: 10/02/2012

INSTITUTEOF PATENT ATTORNEYS (IPA) ,INDIA.
Ist Floor, D-999, Ramphal Chowk,

Sector-7,Dwarka , New Delhi-110 077.

Email:ipaidirector@gmail.com
M: 09810395199.

It is madeexplicitly clear that the candidates are to apply directly to the Controller ofPatents, paying the prescribed fee for the registration to appear for theexamination.

2011-12-27T12:10:00.001+05:30

Career For Engineering & Sceince Graduates In India

View more presentations from Ipai India

DST invites application for Woman Scientist Scholarship

2011-12-19T12:36:00.002+05:30

Applications invited by Department of Science and Technology (DST), India for Scholarship Scheme for Women Scientists and Technologists.

Woman Scientist Scholarship Details

Three categories of scholarships, with research grants, are available for Indian citizen. Scholarships are envisaged in both institutional and non-institutional modes. Under the institutional mode, national and state-level organizations, recognized universities, educations and R&D laboratories would be considered for grant by the Department.

S&T - based Non-Government, Voluntary and Non-Profit organization, working on societal issues and having the legal status of a registered society would be considered under the non-institutional mode, the various categories of Scholarship available are indicated below:

Scholarship for Research in Basic/Applied Science (WOS-A)

Scholarship for Research in S&T - based Societal Programs (WOS-B)

Internship for the Self-Employment (WOS-C)

Scholarship for Research in Basic/Applied Science (WOS-A)-This scheme will provide a research grant with an upper limit of Rs. 23 lakh (for Ph.D. or equivalent) and Rs. 20 lakh (for M.Sc. or equivalent) for a well-defined R&D project proposal for a period of three years. This grant will include the fellowship of the applicant and cost of small equipments, contingencies, travel, consumables etc. Institutional overhead charges will be extra.

WOS-B: The selected candidate will be awarded upto Rs. 10,000/- pm (for Post Graduate in science and bachelors in Engineering and Medicine) and Rs. 15,000/- pm (for Doctorate in Science and Masters in Engineering and Medicine) as Research Scholarships and a research grant up to a maximum limit of Rs. 15 lakhs including the scholarship amount for a period of three years to cover the cost of small equipment, travel, contingencies, consumables and institutional overhead charges.

WOS-C: Rs. 17,500-PhD & Equivalent

Rs. 12,500/-M. Sc & Equivalent

Incentive of Rs. 10,000/ to clear Patent Agent Examination during the training.

Eligibility for Woman Scientist Scholarship:

Check here for Woman Scientist Scholarship eligibility criteria

How to apply:

Five (5) copies of neatly typed application (in single space and on both sides of the paper) should be submitted in the enclosed format at the address given on the official website.

Carefully prepared proposal should be concise focused and complete in all respects.

Important Dates:

The Scheme is open throughout the year. Therefore, there is no last date of application.

For further information and details please visit DST Woman Scientist Scholarship

Check here for more details on Internship for the Self-Employment (WOS-C)

Apple patent war: Advantage Motorola

2011-12-12T12:40:00.001+05:30

Apple Friday suffered a setback in its global patent war, as a German court ruled over its copyright infringement battle in favour of Motorola Mobility.

The German court ruled that Apple's iPhone and iPad infringe a Motorola patent and issued an injunction banning the import of iPhones and 3G-capable iPads into Germany, reported Xinhua.

The dispute, one of Apple's several patent lawsuits around the world, is over a Motorola patent essential to GPRS. Motorola has been negotiating with Apple over licensing terms and conditions since 2007, and it will continue its efforts to resolve its global patent dispute as soon as practicable, said Motorola Mobility in a statement Friday.

"We're going to appeal the court's ruling right away. Holiday shoppers in Germany should have no problem finding the iPad or iPhone they want," an Apple spokesman told tech news site AllThingsD.

The ruling is against Apple's European sales company and only impacts its products sold in Germany. The German court also ruled that Motorola is entitled to a damages award.

Apple can appeal the ruling to a higher court and request a stay of the injunction, according to a blog post of Florian Mueller, a US patent expert who has been closely following patent lawsuits in the mobile industry.

In August, Apple also filed a suit in Germany over the design of Motorola's tablet Xoom, which runs Google's Android system. But Apple did not make it clear whether it will seek to block the sales of Xoom in Europe.

Also Friday, Samsung won an appeal from the Australian High Court overturning a previous Apple victory that effectively banned Samsung from selling its Galaxy Tab in Australia.

Based on claims of infringing Apple's patents, the Cupertino, California-based tech giant has been seeking court order to block Samsung's Galaxy line of mobile devices around the world.

A German court issued an injunction in August, blocking Samsung from selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets across all European Union members, except for the Netherlands.

On Thursday, Apple said it will appeal a San Jose, California judge's refusal to ban sales of Samsung 4G smartphones and Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets in the US. Posted in NDTV

Tata Steel receives the Thomson Reuters Innovation Award

2011-11-26T12:32:00.001+05:30

Tata Steel has received the Thomson Reuters Innovation Award in the ‘hi-tech corporate’ category. The award was presented to the company by Dr Ashwani Kumar, minister of state for science and technology, earth sciences and planning, Government of India. It was received on behalf of the company by BK Bhuyan, senior manager, patent, Tata Steel, at a function held in New Delhi on November 17, 2011.

Since 2007, Thomson Reuters has been presenting the Thomson Reuters Innovation Awards to recognise innovation and entrepreneurship in India. The award recognises the most innovative academic institutions and commercial enterprises headquartered in India for their spirit of innovation in R&D as it relates to all aspects of patent publications in India.

It merits mention that a key indicator of innovation is patenting activity. The importance of intellectual property as a major source of economic and technological development in India is demonstrated by the increasing creativity and impact of Indian research and technology throughout the world as measured by patenting activity. There has been a substantial increase in Indian patent applications in the last five years — from 24,505 applications in 2006 to 34,000 in 2010 — thereby recording a compounded annual growth rate of 8.8 per cent.

This year, four awards were presented across different sectors — pharma corporate, pharma academic, hi-tech corporate and hi-tech academic. Tata Steel bagged the award in the hi-tech corporate category. Published by orissadiary.

Patent Agent Exam 2012 Dates

2011-11-24T12:06:00.001+05:30

When a grievance was registered in the government portal we got the following reply



Date of Receipt	:	16 Nov 2011
Received by	:	Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion
Forwarded to	:	C G of Patents Designs and Trade Marks
Contact Address	:	Boudhik Sampada Bhawan
		S M Road Antop Hill
		Mumbai400037
Contact Number	:	02224132735
Current Status	:	CASE CLOSED
Date of Action	:	23 Nov 2011
Details	:	Whenever the procedural formalities for conducting the exam are fulfilled, a notification will be published on the website www.ipindia.nic.in. The Complainant is advised to regularly visit the site. It has not yet been decided as to when the Exam will be conducted.

Apple Scores Big Win Against HTC in Patent War

2011-11-22T14:07:00.001+05:30

HTC has been dealt another blow in its ongoing patent battle with Apple. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled Monday that Apple's products don't infringe on patents held by S3 Graphics, a company in the process of being acquired by Taiwan-based HTC, ending the commission's investigation into the matter.
Last month, an ITC judge issued an initial judgment that Apple did not violate four HTC patents related to functions like power management and phone dialing. The Monday ruling concerned S3 patents for texture compression which relate to applications for things like 3D gaming.
HTC is in the process of closing a $300 million deal for S3 Graphics.
An HTC legal representative told The Wall Street Journal that the company was "disappointed" with the ITC ruling but would weigh its options, including an appeal of the decision.
The ITC ruling on the S3 patents was "a setback" for HTC and "the best possible outcome for Apple," patent expert Florian Mueller wrote on his blog Monday. Mueller also believes that HTC is "rather unlikely" to prevail in its other patent claim against Apple, given the ITC judge's preliminary ruling in that case.
But Apple could score a victory in at least one of its two patent infringement cases against HTC, which has so far turned up an initial determination by a judge in favor of Apple's claim that HTC infringed a pair of Apple patents.
The ITC has the power to ban imports of products found to infringe intellectual property rights.

Posted in PCmag

Patent Agent / Clinical Researcher with Exp in ICMR required @ Jakob Partners India Pvt Ltd

2011-11-21T14:09:00.001+05:30

Jakob & Partners is a highly specialized information company focusing exclusively on the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries and markets. Jakob & Partners service Clients and Contacts with in-depth analyzed information on the pharmaceutical and biotechnical global markets.
Name of the Post : Patent Agent or Clinical Researcher exp in Indian Patent Office/ ICMR
Name of the Company : Jakob Partners India Pvt Ltd
Desired Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate has 2 years of experience within Clinical Research (Indian Council of Medical Research) or Patents (Indian Patent Office).
The candidate is expected to be fluent in written and oral English with excellent communication and coordination skills. In addition, a thorough knowledge in Windows, Office Pack, Email and Internet browsing is a requirement.Regarding personal skills, we are seeking a person with a zest for learning and a positive attitude towards work. She/he should posses the right frame of mind to create both short and long-term results with vigor to succeed.
Job Description:
Jakob & Partners India Pvt. Limited is currently seeking a Science Graduate or postgraduate - Pharmacist, Biotechnologist, Chemist or other person with minimum two year experience within Clinical Research (ICMR) or Patents (Indian Patent Office).Jakob & Partners India Pvt. Limited established in year 2008 is seeking a core of young, dedicated and ambitious employees who can contribute positively in developing a research team with a strong focus on acquiring the necessary skills (research and management) to expand the organization further in India as well as contribute significantly to the overall growth of the company - both in terms of projects as well as business segments.Researcher will be responsible for doing research on projects looking out for information on the global pharmaceutical and biotechnological markets with respect to key players and products in specific market segments. The company may provide international training and work exposure depending on performance of the employee.
Company Profile:
Jakob & Partners (J&P) is a Danish based company located in the heart of Copenhagen. J&P provides core information on the global pharmaceutical and biotechnological markets with respect to key players and products in specific market segments.The objective is to establish the best possible information on the pharmaceutical and biotechnological markets for companies and institutions that are not directly involved in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological markets, but rather have crucial indirect interest such as investment banks, patient interest groups, consultancy companies, and public institutions. J&P information sourcing is based on direct interviews with market players, as well as a systematic analysis and interviews with key people in public healthcare institutions.Jakob & Partners (J&P) provide multinational, multicultural and multilingual environment where employees have lots of opportunity to learn and perform. Jakob and Partners India Pvt. limited is a company currently based in Gurgaon. It is a 100 percent subsidiary of the Danish company.
Contact Details:
Jakob Partners India Pvt Ltd
Website:http://www.jakobnpartners.com
Candidates Interested to apply for the following Post Should send their CV's to the following Email id : jra-job@jakobnpartners.com

Posted in Biotecnika

Utility patenting: India’s next move?

2011-11-14T10:40:00.001+05:30

The patent model suggests less stringent intellectual property protection to support incremental research

Mumbai: India’s rating on the Global Innovation Index (GII) slipped to 62 in 2011—a sign that recent reforms in economic policy, education and intellectual property protection aren’t helping boost innovation, say experts.
India stood at 56 on the index in 2010 and at 45 in the year before.
Key reasons for the fall, the experts point out, include a lack of transparency in policy implementation, political instability and, importantly, the absence of a connecting link in the innovation ecosystem.

Key elements: The main features of a utility model patent system are protectable innovations, conditions for protection, application procedure and, finally, the scope of protection.

The index acknowledges the need for a broader vision of innovation that is applicable to both developed and emerging economies, and recognizes the role of innovation as a driver of economic growth.Key indicators for this rating includes traditional measures such as the level of research and development in a country, as well as political stability and protection given to intellectual property. The index is produced by the research arm of INSEAD that deals with graduate business schools, which has campuses in France, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
While economic liberalization in the early 1990s was the first important step India took towards changing the business environment, the following reforms such as the introduction of intellectual property protection through a tightly drafted policy and the implementation of the Science and Innovation Bill to encourage publicly funded research institutions and universities to work closely with industries and evolve a self-sustainable model were expected to deliver positive results.

But there are few takers for the theory that a strong intellectual property regime or an innovation law alone can help scale up innovation in a country like India.
“Innovation today is widely recognized as a major source of competitiveness and economic growth for all countries—advanced and emerging economies alike,” said R.A. Mashelkar, former director general of India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and a Bhatnagar Fellow at the National Chemical Laboratory. “Its significant role in creating jobs, generating incomes and improving living standards is now well-understood. However, instead of viewing innovation strictly in terms of competitiveness and as a strategy to support high value-added employment, it should also be conceived as a means of promoting inclusive growth.”
P.H. Kurian, India’s controller general of patents, designs and trade marks, said while the country has an “excellent” intellectual property protection law, the cost structure for such protection is one of the lowest in the world.
“Our biggest problem is that the IP system and the patent system in particular is elitist in nature and shuts out a number of poor innovators and creators,” said Shamnad Basheer, a professor in Intellectual Property Law at the National University of Juridical Science, Kolkata.
Experts have their bets on the proposed utility patents model to address this issue. This model suggests a less stringent intellectual property protection to support incremental research or innovation. Protection may be for a shorter period than, say, for an invention or true discovery patent.
“In order to help tap into this huge creative base of India, we need to make our IP systems more inclusive and enable poor inventors to access the system at low or subsidized costs,” said Basheer. “One solution might be to encourage leading corporate users of the patent system to insist that their preferred law firms also take up pro-bono work (done free for public good) on behalf of poor inventors.”

Kurian agrees. “The current system in general deals only with invention patents. A country like India should also now encourage incremental researches that can make larger impacts in a progressing economy.”Tata Motors Ltd’s Nano car may not be a big invention from a research point of view, but the low-cost vehicle changed perceptions about owning a car, otherwise a luxury for most Indians, said Kurian. “This is the kind of innovation that India should look at now and it should create the ecosystem for this.”
The government is discussing an intellectual property protection system addressing the utility model.
Utility models co-exist with patent systems in most countries under different names and features. But there are common elements such as a short term of protection and relatively easy access of these systems vis-à-vis patent protection.
“Inclusive growth can be accelerated through inclusive innovation,” Mashelkar said in a recent speech at the Indian Merchant Chambers.
For achieving inclusive innovation, India will have to cater to the needs of four billion people whose income levels are smaller than $2 (around Rs.100) a day. “For this, we need to make some paradigm shifts. For instance, getting more (performance) by using less (resources) for more (profit) is a well-known strategy of industrial enterprises,” he said.
The main features of a utility model patent system are protectable innovations, conditions for protection, application procedure and, finally, the scope of protection, the government’s department of industrial policy and promotion said in a recent discussion paper. DIPP is in favour of encouraging minor technical inventions by protecting them under a legal framework. Given that such incremental innovations use local resources in a sustainable manner and are driven by small and medium enterprises, such protection will be useful and relevant only if provided through a legal framework, it states.
The argument that several multinational firms make in favour of strict adherence to a globally accepted intellectual property regime to boost innovation seems to be disappearing, said another IPR law expert, who didn’t want to be identified.
This is mainly due to the mounting importance of emerging markets in the growth plans of many multinational companies, and their realization that adopting to country-specific environments makes more sense while designing models for business, this person said.

Posted in livemint

Compulsory License of Cancer Drug

2011-11-03T15:59:00.002+05:30

Last month, former Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium launched an impassioned argument in the Supreme Court against the rejection of a patent to Glivec, a leukemia drug made by pharma MNC Novartis. His appeal, which ran for three successive days, was directed at a controversial provision in the country's patent laws that have largely favoured domestic drugmakers.

A week earlier, Natco Pharma had filed the country's first compulsory licensing application, a provision that allows a generic drugmaker to make and sell a cheaper version of a patented drug by paying royalties. The Indian company was taking aim at German firm Bayer AG's patented cancer drug Nexavar. In Natco's case, the government will decide if its application deserves merit.

Whichever way the cases go, their outcomes will have far-reaching implications on the country's patent regime, which is at a tipping point thanks to a long-running battle between global drugmakers on one side and local companies and health activists on the other. The verdicts are also expected to bring clarity on a contentious issue and influence the plans of drug MNCs in India.

Final Word

Both sides are hopeful that the verdicts will go their way. "A loud and clear statement [will go out] to all that for India, nothing is more important than its people," says Dilip G Shah, secretary general at Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, which lobbies for big Indian generic firms.

But leading intellectual property lawyer Pravin Anand, who represents several foreign drugmakers, says the government and industry have not given due respect to innovations or patents. "For years, we have been saying we are not ready. It is time we bite the bullet," says Anand.

In any case, the cases will have a significant bearing on the grant of patents in the country, thereby affecting the cost of treatment. Generic medicines produced by Indian companies are cheaper by up to 35 times than foreign drugs.

Novartis is seeking clarity on the interpretation of Section 3(d) of the patent law, a provision that rejects patent claims for incremental innovation unless it provides significantly enhanced thereupatic efficacy over known compounds. The provision has long been the cause of the rejection of several patent claims in India's four patent offices and courts. The case centres on the legal interpretation of certain terms in the section such as "efficacy" and "known substances".

Novartis has faced two reversals related to the drug in lower courts. The case, now in the final leg, is due to be heard afresh after one of the judges recused himself. Natco's application will decide the government's policy on allowing generic firms to market their version in public interest, dreaded words for a patent holder. Natco says Bayer's drug, at about `2.85 lakh for a month's dose, is unaffordable for patients. The company wants the government to force Bayer to grant a licence to sell its own version at `8,900, or 32 times cheaper. Industry watchers have dubbed the move as a small step for Natco but a giant leap for the Indian generic industry.

Amit Sengupta of the People's Health Movement says a favourable verdict will encourage more Indian companies to knock on the government's doors.

Weak Regime?

Despite reservations from some quarters, India adopted a new patent regime in 2005 that gives a patent holder 20 years exclusive rights to sell its products in a country where about a third lives below poverty line and cost of health care is among the main causes of indebtedness.

From Economic times

Job Oppurtunity for fresh ECE Graduates

2011-10-29T13:27:00.002+05:30

Stellarix Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. (www.stellarix.com)
http://www.ChetanaS.org
- Exclusive Job for Chetanaites...

Stellarix is a Global Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) Company specializing in the field of Intellectual Property research, Business Research and Market Research based out of Pink city Jaipur (Rajasthan).

Conceived by seasonal professionals with close to a decade of experience of working with many of the fortune 500 companies. Stellarix is helping companies around the globe to add new dimensions and standards to the intellectual property analysis.

Stellarix does so by providing excellent quality of patent analysis clubbed with web based interactive tools to all our clients, with a sole aim to refine the way patent analysis was done and interpreted ever before. Our highly skill technologists works closed to software engineers to build IP management platform (PatBoardTM) which help fill the void between quality patent analysis and representation of conclusive results.

The team Stellarix is currently working with Corporations of varied sizes and law firms worldwide to help them in providing timely and international standard analysis in the field of patent landscaping, patent searches, intellectual property asset management, patent portfolio management, competitive intelligence, identifying white spaces, IP watch services, patent litigation support, business research, market research and other customizable projects.

Stellarix is also working in domain of trademark searches and trademark watch for US and European geographies.

Dear ChetanaS,

We would like to publish below job requirement in your ChetanaSforum.com

(Freshers) Off-Campus : BE / B.Tech / ME / M.Tech : Electronics Graduates @ Jaipur
http://www.ChetanaS.org
Note: This is NOT a direct Walk-In. You need to apply through ChetanaS at given Email Id & Only shortlisted candidates will be called for personal interview.

Note: This is a direct job with our company. There will NOT be any Training/Recruitment/Registration/Consulting fees collected from candidates before/after the placement.

Job Position : Patent Research

Job Category : Patent Research and Analytic

Interview Location : Jaipur, Rajasthan

Job Location : Jaipur, Rajasthan

Note: Only those willing to relocate to Jaipur should apply.

Compensation : As per industry norms + Accommodation by company with various attractive perks

Date of joining if selected : Within 1 week of selection

Work Hours : 9 am to 7 pm (approx) - Saturdays and Sundays off (5 days a week)

Desired Qualification :
• BE / B.Tech / ME / M.Tech (Electronics and Communication)
• Required CGPA: More than or equal to 7.5 in B.Tech and at least 6.0 in M.Tech

Note: Electronics graduates should only apply. Other branches will NOT be considered.

Desired Experience : 0 Years
http://www.ChetanaS.org
Job Responsibilities :
• Patent research, patent analytics and landscaping with patent searching.

Desired Candidate Profile :
• Graduates/Post graduates from ECE background
• Candidates must have good analytical and communication skills, with an eye for detail
• Good Subject knowledge
• Ability to work with team members in a supportive way which encourages team building and confidence with individual members
• Ability to work under pressure and meet inflexible deadlines
• Understand both internal and external customer requirements and provide and implement ideas for improvement
• Willingness to learn on the job
• Ability to understand and work on inventions from electronics and communications technology domain
http://www.ChetanaS.org
Job Description :
• This is a challenging, research-oriented role and would require the incumbent to keep abreast with current trends and developments in their technical industry.
• The selected candidates will work on projects for US and Europe based Fortune 500 companies as well as top Law firms and patent attorneys. The incumbent will benefit from a personalized, extensive training routine that will develop their understanding and skills in the Intellectual Property and Patent Research fields.
• The Person will be responsible for tasks like prior art search, drafting specification, claims drafting assigned to her/him and complete them with highest quality in the given timeframe. He/she will be responsible to apply technical concepts to intellectual property management.
• This is a responsible position wherein the incumbent would function in a team dedicated to our clients. This is a challenging and research oriented role and would require the incumbent to have a sound conceptual understanding of current technologies in the scientific domain. The person should be ready to work in any type of field.

More specifically his roles would include the following :
• Conduct IP related searches
1. Understand the technological concepts / key features of the subject invention / patent
2. Search relevant databases, Internet and other resources to find out art in similar technologies
3. Present the findings to clients in the form of a detailed report
• Communicate with clients regarding breadth and scope of search; speak knowledgeably about technical aspects of search
• Keep abreast with updates and changes to commercial patent and technical databases
• Assisting patent attorneys and clients in various stages of litigation studies including invalidating competitor’s patents and proving infringement of clients patents by products owned by competitors.
• Performing due-diligence and patent portfolio studies of companies to facilitate clients in taking an informed decision for mergers or acquisitions.
http://www.ChetanaS.org
..................................................

How to Apply for this Job ?

* This is NOT a direct Walk-In. You need to apply at given Email Id & Only shortlisted candidates will be called for test/interview.

* Please apply ONLY IF you have above mentioned skills. Clearly mention the same in your resume. Otherwise, your resume will NOT be considered.

If eligible, Please send your resume at : stellarix_freshers@ChetanaSforum.com

Job Code : CHETANAS

Please mention the Subject Line of your Email in the below format :

<Job Code> - <Job Position> - <Your Current Location> - <Qualification & Branch> - <Year of Passout> - <Aggregate % in Graduation/Post-Graduation> - <Years of Experience>

Examples :

CHETANAS - Patent Research - Jaipur - B.Tech (ECE) - 2011 - 82% - 0 Years

CHETANAS - Patent Research - Jaipur - M.Tech (ECE) - 2010 - 76% - 0 Years

* You must apply exactly in the above mentioned format only. Otherwise, resumes will NOT be considered.

from Chetanas

Stem cell patent ban an 'unbelievable setback'

2011-10-18T19:43:00.001+05:30

Europe's top court has banned patenting any stem cell process that involves destroying a human embryo, dealing what some scientists said was a "devastating" blow to an emerging field of medical research.

Researchers fear the ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) will hobble development in an area of science that could provide a range of 21st century medicines for diseases from Parkinson's to blindness.
The European Centre for Law and Justice, a Strasbourg-based Christian group, welcomed the decision which it said "protects life and human dignity" at all stages of development.
Stem cell technology is controversial because some cell lines are derived from embryos. The ECJ decision now endorses widespread protection of human embryos by blocking patents.
"A process which involves removal of a stem cell from a human embryo at the blastocyst stage, entailing the destruction of that embryo, cannot be patented," it said.
Blastocyst is the stage just before implantation in the womb, when the embryo consists of around 80 to 100 cells.
The court said its ruling reflected European law. A European directive on biotechnology patents "intended to exclude any possibility of patentability where respect for human dignity could thereby be affected", it said.
The ruling concerned an invention by Oliver Bruestle of the University of Bonn for converting human embryonic stem cells into nerve cells. Mr Bruestle said he regretted the decision.
"It means that fundamental research can take place in Europe, but that developments that follow from that cannot be implemented in Europe," he said after the verdict.
"It means European researchers can prepare these things but others will pick the fruits in the US or Asia."
Tuesday's judgment followed a case brought in Germany by Greenpeace, challenging a patent filed by Mr Bruestle in 1997.
A German court ruled the patent invalid, and after Mr Bruestle appealed, Germany's Federal Court of Justice referred questions to the ECJ.
In March, Advocate General Yves Bot handed down a legal opinion, which the ECJ effectively upheld on Tuesday.
"We wanted a fundamental decision on how the protection of human embryos is to be laid out under EU patenting law," said Christoph Then, a Greenpeace official, in Luxembourg. "The court has... said that ethics take priority over commercial interests."

'Unbelievable setback'

Critics argue the use of embryonic stem cells is wrong because the ultimate source of these cells involves the destruction of embryos, which are left over from fertility treatment and are donated for research.
Scientists contend the research is justified, since the embryonic stem cells they use are cell lines derived from original surplus eggs that can be maintained indefinitely.
While adult stem cells are also being investigated as potential medicines, they are less flexible than embryonic ones.
Early trials are now underway using embryonic stem cells for repairing spinal cord injuries and to correct certain forms of blindness.
They also have potential in treating other conditions including stroke damage, Parkinson's disease, heart disease and diabetes.
That work could be in jeopardy in Europe, researchers say.
"It will unfortunately make it less likely that companies in Europe will invest in the research to develop treatments to use embryonic stem cells for treatment of human diseases," said Ian Wilmut, the British scientist who led the team that produced Dolly the cloned sheep.
Pete Coffey of University College London said it was the ECJ ruling was a "devastating decision" and Austin Smith, another stem cell expert at the University of Cambridge, said it left scientists "in a ridiculous position".
"We are funded to do research for the public good, yet prevented from taking our discoveries to the market place where they could be developed into new medicines," he said.
Several small biotechnology companies are pioneering stem cell treatments in Europe and the United States.
Big pharmaceutical companies - including Pfizer , AstraZeneca and Roche - are also starting to conduct research in the area.
European research is being carried out in Britain and Sweden as well as Germany, said Mr Bruestle, but the ECJ judgment would undermine this work. "Many years of intensive research are being destroyed," he said.
"It's an unbelievable setback for biomedical stem cell research."
Reuters
For ABC news

DIPP moves note on making patents office independent

2011-10-10T11:36:00.000+05:30

NEW DELHI: India's intellectual property office overseeing patents and trademarks should be granted autonomy to make it more responsive and effective, a government department has suggested.
In a discussion paper, the department of industrial policy and promotion has favoured several steps for strengthening and restructuring the office of the Controller General of Patents Design Trademarks and Geographical Indications (CGPDTM).
The paper comes in the backdrop of demands to make the office independent of DIPP, under the commerce and industry ministry. Justice Prabha Sridevan, chair of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board, had recently admitted that the CGPDTM is not independent of the department.

The case, filed by Promoting Public Interest Lawyering, questioned the dismal state of infrastructure at the board and said that its dependence on the ministry was hindering its functioning. The case is now before the Madras High Court.
"Based on international experience, we are considering the autonomous route for the CGPDTM office to ensure speedy disposal of cases," a DIPP official directly involved with the restructuring told ET.
Many countries, including emerging economies Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa, have only one institution responsible for trademarks, patents and design while countries such as the US, Japan, Germany have not made their patent offices independent.
The paper, which is the department's third on intellectual property rights, has suggested several steps to ensure the CGPDTM is better equipped in dealing with IP issues. To reduce the burden on a single office, it has suggested bifurcating the CGPDTM into full-fledged establishments called the Trade Marks Registry and the Patent and Design Office.
The number of applications pending with the office for patents has risen by 45% from 1,653 in 2004-04 to 76,002 in 2009-10. A similar trend is seen in applications for trademarks as well as design.
The government has taken some initiatives in addressing the increased workload by implementing schemes for modernizing the IP Offices. In the current plan, an allocation of Rs 300 crore has been made for modernisation.
According to the paper, which has invited views by November 30, amendments to existing laws might have to be considered if the ministry makes CGPDTM an autonomous body and allows it to generate and retain the revenue from its functions The administration of various legislation relating to patents, trademarks, design and geographical indications, are being carried out by the office of CGPDTM.
Yet, according to the report submitted in the case under the Madras high court, "The object of setting up of tribunals is speedy disposal. It is impossible to achieve that if IPAB has to face a battle for survival every day."

Microsoft-Samsung patent deal

2011-09-30T09:53:00.002+05:30

MICROSOFT and Samsung, amid a surge in patent infringement suits by technology firms, have announced an agreement to cross-license their patent portfolios.
The US software giant on Wednesday said the deal with the South Korean electronics titan provides "broad coverage for each company's products".
The Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said it would receive royalties for Samsung's mobile phones and tablets running the Android mobile platform from Google.
Microsoft has accused Android, which is offered free to manufacturers by Google, of violating patents held by the US software giant.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet computer is powered by Android and is under attack from Apple, maker of the iPad, for patent infringement on several continents.
Apple is also involved in patent infringement lawsuits with Taiwan's HTC, which also uses Google's Android to power its mobile devices.
Under the agreement, Microsoft and Samsung will also cooperate in the development and marketing of Windows Phone, Microsoft's mobile operating system.
"Microsoft and Samsung see the opportunity for dramatic growth in Windows Phone and we're investing to make that a reality," said Andy Lees, president of Microsoft's Windows Phone Division.
"Through the cross-licensing of our respective patent portfolios, Samsung and Microsoft can continue to bring the latest innovations to the mobile industry," said Hong Won-Pyo, Samsung's executive vice president of global product strategy.

Posted in Queensland times.

Apple fail in efforts to trademark ‘multi touch’

2011-09-28T18:30:00.003+05:30

Apple have failed in their efforts to trademark the term ‘multi touch’. The US Patent and TradeMark Office has rejected their claims for ownership.
The USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board have issued an indepth 18 page review of the Apple appeal. They concluded with this statement “Simply because the applied-for term has been used in association with a highly successful product does not mean the term has acquired distinctiveness.”
The review offers arguments ‘for’ and ‘against’ the claims explaining that multi touch covers a vast array of subjects, such as zooming, scrolling and swiping.
Apple claimed that the trademarking debate was based around their iPhone, which offers a sophisticated multi touch system. The Appeal board said “”As the examining attorney correctly pointed out, the applied-for mark is not iPhone, it is multi-touch.”

This claim follows the ongoing battle for the use of ‘app store’. A judge has not granted Apple an injunction to stop Amazon from using the term ‘AppStore’ however the case is not closed.

Posted IN Kitguru

Pacemaker inventor Wilson Greatbatch dead

2011-09-28T18:27:00.002+05:30

NEW YORK: Wilson Greatbatch, who invented the implantable cardiac pacemaker more than 50 years ago, has passed away. He was 92.

Greatbatch, whose invention is keeping millions of hearts beating in rhythm, passed away in Buffalo, New York. The cause of death has not been disclosed, the BBC reported.

His son-in-law, Larry Maciariello, however, said his health had been "intermittent".

An electrical engineer by profession, Greatbatch invented the pacemaker more than 50 years ago.

It was first implanted in a 77-year-old man in 1960, who lived for 18 months.

Greatbatch, who holds more than 150 patents, marked the 50th anniversary of the medical device in 2010. In 1998, he was admitted to the National Inventors' Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio.

Posted in KaumudiGLobal.

President Obama Signs New Patent System Law

2011-09-21T19:01:00.001+05:30

The patent system in the US has long been a cause of groans of everything from annoyance to outrage, but at least some of the more aggravating aspects of the system will, hopefully, go away now that the new patent law has been signed.

A little over a week ago, we mentioned that the United States Congress had finalized a certain patent system reform bill.It is this very reform that is making the news once again, thanks to president Obama finally giving it his signature.

The law has the official name of America Invents Act and, though it did face strong opposition, it will force some changes upon the activities of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Granted, the law won't actually solve the many ongoing disputes over licenses and rights to use this or that intellectual property.

In other words, the lawsuits between Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, HTC, Oracle, Motorla, etc., will go on as before, more or less.

Still, it should become harder for at least patent trolls to base their existence on patent ownership and constant lawsuits.

For those that want something concrete, the reform will introduce a fast-track system and ways to avoid validity litigation.

The patent filing process will be streamlined as well, placing priority on first-to-file instead of first-to-invent.

Patent applications should see reduced waiting time, while emphasis on green technology will accelerate patent development in that sector.

As for the aforementioned opposition, some believe that only large corporations will benefit from the bill, since they are the ones who can afford pushing patents faster, while small inventors will have a hard time because of the first-to-file policy.

As always, time will tell whether this reform turns out for the better or for the worse, and if there are any loopholes that opportunists can exploit. Originally published by softpedia

Ahead of the Bell: Cardinal, McKesson see upgrades

2011-09-19T19:13:00.002+05:30

A pending wave of patent expirations for top-selling drugs should lead to sustainable, improved profits and margins for pharmaceutical distributors like McKesson Corp. and Cardinal Health Inc., according to a Citi analyst.

Analyst George Hill said in a Monday morning research note he was upgrading shares of both companies to "Buy" from "Hold." The analyst also raised price targets for the stock and earnings estimates.

Hill expects sales to contract as pharmaceuticals like Pfizer Inc.'s cholesterol fighter Lipitor, the world's top-selling drug at nearly $11 billion a year, and Eli Lilly and Co.'s antipsychotic Zyprexa lose patent protection. But generics also should lead to margins and profit levels increasing faster than prices compress.

"Pharmaceutical wholesalers make razor-thin profit margins on the very-expensive branded drugs provided by a single manufacturer," Hill wrote. "When these products begin to lose patent protection, both margin dollars and percentages rise drastically as competitors enter the market."

Profit levels can be three to five times those generated on the original, branded drug when five or more manufacturers make a generic, the analyst said.

Hill raised target prices to $51 from $44 for Cardinal shares and to $101 from $90 for McKesson.

By The Associated Press

Obama Says Patent Law, Jobs Plan Needed to Revive Growth

2011-09-19T10:33:00.001+05:30

Sept. 16 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama said a law overhauling the U.S. patent system will clear the way for inventors and entrepreneurs to attract investment and create jobs, making the U.S. more competitive.“We should be making it easier to turn new ideas into new jobs and into new businesses,” Obama said today before signing the legislation at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia.Obama, who is confronting opposition from congressional Republicans on his latest jobs package, has repeatedly cited the revamping of the patent law as an example of bipartisan action on measures to boost the economy. He also used the occasion to promote the $447 billion proposal he unveiled last week, saying it's a needed response to a short-term economic crisis.“This bill answers the urgent need to create jobs right away,” Obama said.The patent law will help generate growth over the long- term, he said. The measure gives the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office more control over its funding and makes fundamental changes in how patents are processed and reviewed. It passed the House in June and won final approval Sept. 9 on an 89-9 vote in the Senate.Patent FeesThe patent office, which is funded entirely by user fees, will be able to set its own fees, with any money in excess of the budgeted amount going to a fund that can only be used by the agency. The office plans to hire as many as 2,000 more examiners in the coming fiscal year, revamp an outdated information technology system and open satellite offices across the country to tap into local workforces.The goal is to address a backlog of almost 700,000 applications awaiting first review and decrease the average 34 months it takes to issue a patent. Reducing the time it takes to give inventions legal protection will speed new products to the market, helping economic growth, according to the bill's supporters.The Washington suburb where Obama signed the legislation is home to the patent office headquarters and the school where it took place is named for the third U.S. president who, as secretary of state under George Washington, signed the nation's first patent law in 1790.Economic ThemesThe signing ceremony combined several of Obama's economic themes: innovation, public-private partnerships and education. The public school's curriculum is developed with input from business and industry and admission is competitive. To graduate, students must complete an original engineering or experimental research project.“I could not be more impressed by what you guys are doing,” Obama told students.The president also announced new programs to promote the commercial use of work done by scientists at universities and government research labs. The National Institutes of Health will help companies cut the time and cost for developing new drugs and the National Science Foundation will establish a prize to reward the university that makes the most progress in accelerating job growth.The patent office already has been working to speed up the application process, including giving green technology fast- track reviews. DuPont Co., the Wilmington, Delaware-based chemical company, used the program to obtain patents on biofuels, said DuPont Chief Executive Ellen Kullman, who is a member of the president's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.Accelerating Process“Pace is really critical here,” she said. “If you can get the pace of the patents going, you can accelerate the pilot launch; you can accelerate the production.”The legislation is the culmination of more than a decade of discussions and six years of negotiations and lobbying by every industry. It covers each step of the patent process, setting new procedures to review issued patents while curtailing some litigation. It has the support of companies including Microsoft Corp., International Business Machines Corp. and a group that represents Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly & Co., 3M Co. and General Electric Co.Some small business have criticized the legislation as giving big companies an unfair advantage in obtaining patents and creating new hurdles to enforcing patent rights against companies that copy inventions without compensation.Supporters have expressed reservation on the funding issue, saying it doesn't go far enough to protect the patent office from having funds siphoned off to other priorities. Congress has diverted almost $1 billion from the agency since a 1990 law required the patent office to pay for itself.--With assistance from Kathleen Hunter in Washington. Editors: Joe Sobczyk, Ann Hughey.Published in Business week

Apple's Process for Fighting Finger Oils on Touch Surfaces

2011-09-16T11:10:00.000+05:30

Thepatent application of the day relates to applying an oleophobic coating to the surface of a material. In particular, this is directed to using a direct liquid application in a Physical Vapor Deposition ("PVD") chamber to apply the coating to the material. Apple states that as the user touches the surface of a device such as an iOS device, oils and other particles from the user's fingers could be deposited on the surface. This may adversely affect the appearance of the surface, especially if information is being displayed. One way to limit the amount of oils and particles deposited on the surface of portable devices is to apply an oleophobic treatment to the surface. However, this approach could be difficult to accomplish. Apple states that to prevent the deposition of oils on an electronic device surface, an oleophobic ingredient could be bonded to the electronic device surface. The oleophobic ingredient could be provided as part of a raw liquid material in one or more concentrations. To avoid adverse reactions due to exposure to air, heat, or humidity, the raw liquid material can be placed in a bottle purged with an inert gas during the manufacturing process. The bottle could be placed in a liquid supply system having a mechanism for controlling the amount of raw liquid material that passes through the liquid supply system. Upon reaching the vaporizing unit, the liquid could be vaporized and the oleophobic ingredient within the liquid can then be deposited on the electronic device component surface. As the liquid supply is drained from the bottle, additional inert gas is supplied in its place to further prevent contamination.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electronic device on which an oleophobic surface treatment is applied in accordance with embodiments of the invention; Patent FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustrative system for applying an oleophobic material in liquid form on a device surface. For more details concerning this invention, see patent application 20110195187 which was originally filed in February 2011 by inventors Douglas Weber and Naoto Matsuyuki of Japan. The filing date might actually point to a new iOS device coating on the way rather than one that already exists. Okay, that caught my attention. Notice: Patently Apple presents a detailed summary of patent applications with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for full and accurate details. Revelations found in patent applications shouldn't be interpreted as rumor or fast-tracked according to rumor timetables. Apple's patent applications have provided the Mac community with a clear heads-up on some of Apple's greatest product trends including the iPod, iPhone, iPad, iOS cameras, LED displays, iCloud services for iTunes and more.

Google's Android Patent Dilemma: 10 Reasons the Company Is Worried

2011-09-16T10:37:00.001+05:30

When it comes to the mobile market, much of the attention surrounds the recent success of Android and the ongoing popularity of Apple’s iOS. There are good reasons for this. Both platforms are running on outstanding devices, and the vast majority of consumers around the globe see them as worthwhile alternatives to anything else on the market. And yet, behind all the success that those platforms are enjoying, there are a slew of patent lawsuits being waged by both big and small companies, all in the hope of taking a bigger slice of a market that could generate many more billions of dollars in the coming years.

In many of those lawsuits, especially those involving Oracle, Microsoft, Barnes & Noble, and Apple, Android is the target. According to the plaintiffs, Google’s Android operating system is infringing patents they hold, and the companies want to either collect a licensing fee on that or stop the sale of the products altogether.

For its part, Google has complained about all that litigation, saying that it does little else but stifle innovation in the marketplace and hurt consumers. And yet, the company has been acquiring patents all over the place. In the summer, Google shelled out more than $12 billion to buy Motorola Mobility in an effort to shore up its patent portfolio.

In addition, Google acquired more than a 1,000 IBM patents in July. Then, on Sept. 15, Google confirmed it purchased another trove of patents from Big Blue.

All that action seems to indicate quite clearly that Google is extremely worried about patents.

Google is worried with good reason. Here are some reasons this story is worth following:

1. Its patent portfolio falls short

The biggest issue with Google right now is that its patent portfolio is simply not as strong as the competition’s holdings. That’s precisely why Google has been so outspoken about the litigation going on in the marketplace, and why it has acquired so many patents from IBM. If Google had a stronger patent portfolio, its attitudes would be much different.

2. Litigation is everywhere

The last thing Google wants is to get hit with more lawsuits. Currently, the company is embroiled in a lawsuit against Oracle. And its operating system, Android, is being hit from all sides by Microsoft, Apple and others. Litigation is simply everywhere right now, and Google, with its aforementioned sub-par patent portfolio, isn’t too happy about that.

3. Android is under attack

The odd thing about Google’s issues with patent litigation is that, for the most part, it’s not the subject of many of the lawsuits. As mentioned, only Oracle is really taking aim at Google; all the others are targeting Android. However, if Apple continues to win cases in Europe, it might just use those victories as precedents to go after Google itself. In other words, Android’s defense is holding up for now, but over the next several months and years, all that can change. And that makes Google nervous.

4. It’s a matter of survival

Although arguments can be made that patent litigation isn’t good for anyone—companies or consumers—it’s a reality. And depending on how a court decides, it can have a profound impact on the mobile space. Make no mistake, there is a lot riding on the patent cases currently being waged. If Google and its Android vendors lose, there’s no telling what the future might look like for the operating system. At this point, holding strong against these cases is a matter of survival for Google.

'5. Apple has a strong portfolio

The issue right now is that Apple might have the strongest mobile portfolio in the business. Over the last several years, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company has been applying for patents at an astounding rate. And most importantly, it has been granted those patents at an astounding rate. Combine that with the fact that Apple is Google’s top contender in the mobile space, and it quickly becomes clear why Google is so worried.

6. It might be Microsoft’s “in”

Microsoft is Google’s arch-nemesis in the mobile space. Both companies are trying to appeal to vendors with their products, and elsewhere around the industry, there is a palpable hatred between the firms. Right now, Microsoft is targeting a host of Android vendors, trying to get them to pay it a fee for each device they sell. If Microsoft continues to be successful, and wins the cases it has initiated, it might just be Microsoft’s best way to gain at least a chunk of the mobile market.

7. Vendor relationships

The trouble with all these lawsuits is that Google’s vendor partners are bearing the brunt of the litigation. For now, those companies have stayed strong and fought through it. But how much longer will that happen? Android’s success directly relates to the number of vendors supporting the operating system. If vendors decide to go elsewhere for fear of continuing to get hit with patent lawsuits, Google could be in deep trouble.

8. It really can stifle innovation

Google is right when it says that patent litigation can stifle innovation in the mobile space. Companies both big and small have a host of patents right now that, most would agree, are laughably broad, and probably shouldn’t have been granted. What’s more, there are other companies that are doing really neat things, but getting hit hard by the owners of those vague patents. Patent litigation works to a degree. But in this case, it might be stifling innovation.

9. The future is in doubt

There’s no telling what the future holds when it comes to the mobile market. Will the patent lawsuits continue? Will Google use Motorola Mobility to end them? Will Google itself take aim at other firms? There’s no telling. And that makes Google nervous. In the next year, many of the biggest cases in the mobile space will likely be settled. And when that happens, the face of the mobile market could be very different.

10. Nothing will stop the litigation

Unfortunately for Google, it has no way to stop the current litigation. As noted, its patent portfolio is quite weak, and until it can take control over Motorola Mobility’s more than 17,000 patents, it will need to wait and watch. But even then, there’s no telling if Google will be able to stop all the litigation. It’s quite easy to file cases, and its competitors have enough cash to keep cases hanging in court. It’s a real problem.

By: Don Reisinger

2011-08-24T12:16:00.002+05:30

Invention and Patents

2011-08-16T11:21:00.001+05:30

Intellectual Property Rights, Invention and Patents

View more presentations from Ipai India

Thomas Alva Edison

2011-08-04T10:28:00.001+05:30

Thomas alva edison ( 1847 - 1931 ) - you tube98x11;

View more videos from Ipai India

Patents and Invention

2011-08-02T15:18:00.002+05:30

The link below leads to a presentation on Intellectual Property rights course with emphasis on Invention and how to materialize by patenting it. It sure will be useful to any type of audience. If the link does not open please disable pop ups to check out the presentation.

Enjoy
Free course on Intellectual Property

Invention and patents

30 Years of innovation

2011-07-12T17:40:00.002+05:30

The Best Inventions of 2011 ... So Far

2011-07-12T15:22:00.000+05:30

Alibaba.com, the fast-growing Chinese site that connects small business buyers with suppliers of everything from packaging to machinery, has a new mission—the celebration of innovation.
In conjunction with the patent law specialists Lee & Hayes, Alibaba.com has inaugurated a new way to highlight unique patent trends around the world called the Quarterly Inventors Index, which will spotlight ten inventions among the tens of thousands that receive patents each quarter.
It's not as odd a mission as it seems at first blush, according to Linda Kozlowski, director of global marketing and customer experience at Alibaba.com. The site's users, small as some of their businesses may be, are often at the forefront of developing the intellectual property that fuel's global economic growth.
"We've definitely noticed an increase in patent filings across the world," she said at a gathering of journalists in San Francisco on Thursday. Indeed, more than 56,000 patents were filed in the first quarter of 2011 in the U.S. alone.
"We should look at this as a very positive indicator for the future of the economy, despite the way the economy is perceived right now."
Lewis Lee of Lee & Hayes, who also spoke at the press briefing, agreed in his own wry fashion.
"When I started my career, nobody ever invited patent attorneys to anything," he said. "So this is exciting."
Here are the first ten inventions that Alibaba.com picked for its inaugural Quarterly Inventors Index (in no particular order):
1. POINT AND PRINT
Inventors: Kia Silverbrook and Tobin A. King, Silverbrook Research
Patent: Modular Camera Assembly with a Compact Printer
What it is: A compact printer able to print full-color, business card-size documents from a device about the size of a pen.

2. WALK LIKE AN ESKIMO
Inventor: Daniel M. Joseph, Disney Enterprises
Patent: Flooring System
What it is: A flooring system that simulates features of natural surfaces such as the sound and feel of footsteps on snow.
3. SEEKING TRUE NORTH
Inventors: R. Mayor, P. Piemonte, R. Huang, and P. Patel, Apple
Patent: Magnetometer Accuracy and Use
What it is: A way to use magnetometer readings to provide users with a direction, which may be a "heading" — typically, the technology tells the user which way is Earth's true north while walking or driving.

4. SILICON SAVER
Inventor: Bulent Basol, SoloPower
Patent: Processing method for group IBIIIAVIA semiconductor layer growth
What it is: A process for developing a low-cost, thin film that can deposit solar-cell-quality absorber materials across a large area, avoiding the use of high-cost silicon wafers.
5. INFRASTRUCTURE MEDICINE
Inventors: D. Morris, D. Bahr, M. Anderson, and J. Youngsman, Washington State University
Patent: Energy Converters and Associated Methods
What it is: Distributed sensing technology that utilizes wireless sensors and transmission networks for purposes such as structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure, airframes, and process control systems.

6. TOWARDS SMARTER HOMES
Inventors: E. Shnekendorf, C. McMahan, D. Ferguson, B. Golden (GridPoint)
Patent: Energy Converters and Associated Methods
What it is: A way to provide cohesive, intuitive, and graphically rich consumer interface for demand-side energy management. The interface allows users to construct energy schedules and rule-sets for their thermostats as well as specify "off" periods for other household circuits on a scheduled and/or rule-driven basis.
7. PICKUP PICK-ME-UP
Inventor: Robert Boulard, A.R.E. Accessories
Patent: Clamp Assembly
What it is: A clamp assembly for a truck bed which can be adapted to fit a variety of vehicles without causing damage to the vehicle when using, removing or changing truck caps, tonneau covers, light bars, and utility boxes.

8. KEEP-YOUR-EYES-ON-THE-ROAD CANDY
Inventor: Christopher Vitito, Audiovox
Patent: Automobile Entertainment System
What it is: An automobile entertainment system featuring a video system mounted within an automobile headrest. Audiovox won a top innovation award at CES 2011.
9. CONCRETE POSSIBILITIES
Inventors: Jimmie Mugge and Jay Johnson, Anchor Wall Systems
Patent: Ornamental Concrete Design
What it is: An ornamental design for the molded surface of a concrete product. Jay Johnson, the inventor of this design, was issued 10 patents in Q1 2011 in the construction arts, mainly around ornamental blocks, and was the top inventor in this field.

10. PURPLE REIGN
Inventor: Tobias Dummen, Capital Green Investment
Patent: Osteospermum plant named "Duetikard"
What it is: A new type of African daisy named "Duetikard" that is characterized by its compact, upright, and mounded shape with elongated oblong-shaped ray florets and purple color. Dummen was granted 21 plant patents in Q1 2011.

Apple ordered to pay $8M in damages over iPod playlist patent suit

2011-07-09T15:32:00.002+05:30

A federal jury has decided against Apple in a patent infringement suit accusing Apple of violating two patents related to downloadable playlists for iPods.

Bloomberg reported on Friday that, according to the lawyer for plaintiff Personal Audio, a jury found that patents were indeed infringed on and upheld their validity. Sirius XM Radio, Coby Electronics and Archos were also included in the original suit, but they had settled out of court last year.

Personal Audio, a patent licensing company, sued Apple in 2009 asking for $84 million in damages. Apple was accused of violating U.S. patents 6,199,076 "Audio Program Player Including a Dynamic Program Selection Controller" and 7,509,178 "Audio Program Distribution and Playback System."

The inventions describe an audio player that "can receive navigable playlists and can skip forward or backward through the downloaded list," report author Susan Decker wrote. Apple asserted that the patents were invalid, while also claiming that it wasn't using the inventions.

Patent expert Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents noted that Apple has "little incentive to appeal this decision," as the $8 million damages award is relatively insubstantial for the company, which has more than $60 billion in cash reserves. However, Apple could announce an intent to file an appeal in hopes of negotiating a discounted settlement with the company.

Mueller also compared the case to an ongoing case between iOS developers and Lodsys. The company filed suit in May, alleging that iOS developers have violated patents related to in-app purchasing. Apple has filed a motion to intervene in the case and maintains that the developers are covered under an licensing agreement it signed with Lodsys.

Like Personal Audio, Lodsys is a non-practicing entity that generates income from patent licenses. Both companies also chose to file their cases in East Texas, a district known for favoring so-called "patent trolls."

Apple recently paid $2 billion for a collection of 4G wireless networking patents from Canadian telecommunications company Nortel in hopes of gaining a competitive advantage in the smartphone race. As patent suits have ramped up in recent years, Apple has become the world's most-sued

From Apple Insider

Samsung drops patent-infringement suit against Apple in US

2011-07-06T12:10:00.002+05:30

SEOUL: Samsung Electronics Co dropped a patent-infringement suit against Apple Inc, filed at a US federal court in April in response to allegations its Galaxy products copied the iPhone and iPad.

Samsung Electronics dropped the suit on June 30 "to streamline the legal proceedings," Nam Ki Yung, a spokesman for the Suwon, South Korea-based company, said today in a telephone interview. Samsung will continue to defend its patent rights through a counter-claim in an earlier suit Apple filed at the same court in San Jose, California, he said.

Litigation between the two companies, which compete in the mobile-device market, is under way in at least five countries including South Korea, Japan, Germany and the UK. Withdrawal of the California suit won't affect other US cases or patent- violation complaints Samsung raised against Apple in other countries, Nam said.

"Samsung will continue to actively defend and protect our intellectual property," he said. Samsung is the world's second-largest maker of mobile phones.

Steve Park, a Seoul-based Apple spokesman, declined to comment when called by Bloomberg News today.

Cupertino, California-based Apple sued Samsung at the San Jose court in April, alleging Galaxy phones and tablet computers "slavishly" copy the iPhone and iPad. Samsung, which supplies memory chips to Apple, responded with counter-suits.

Courtesy: Times Of India

Patent Agent Exam 2012 Training

2011-07-05T11:42:00.002+05:30

Institute of Patent Attorneys, India (IPAI) is providing professional training in Intellectual Property Rights for candidates to appear for Patent Agents Examination, conducted by Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Govt. of India) through Patent Offices and obtaining qualifications necessary to practice as a Patent Agent/Patent Attorney under the Patent Act and Rules.

Career Prospects and Placement Services.

Institute of Patent Attorneys Shall provides 100% Placement assistance those who successfully cleared the Patent Agent Examination Conducted by the Controller of Patents. Patent Agents/Attorneys have ample number of job opportunities in Intellectual Property Law Firms, as well as Corporate Organizations. They can choose channels like in-house Advisors for different organizations or start their own Attorney’s Firms and Consultancy Services.

ELIGIBILITY :- Degree in Science, Engineering or Technology.
TRAINING MODE:- Correspondence with contact classes
For More details log on to www.ipai.in
Last date for applying changed to July 9

Utility Model To be introduced in India

2011-07-05T11:42:00.000+05:30

NEW DELHI: India's spirit of jugaad is finally going to get legal backing. Innovators who have for long been dismissed as copycats or blamed for piracy would soon get intellectual property rights, at par with patents, with the industry department going to move a bill.

The move to grant 'petty patents' or 'innovation patents', also called utility models, follows a near strong support to a proposal floated by the department of industrial policy and promotion, at least from domestic players. The idea was to give intellectual property rights to the small scale industry's innovations that lead to inventions which do not strictly conform with patent laws.

Under the Patents Act, protection is granted if there is novelty, inventive step and industrial application. It is denied in case there is a mere discovery of new forms of known substances, rearrangement or duplication of devices and inventions due to traditional knowledge.

Agencies such as Defence Research & Development Organisation ( DRDO) have told the department that development of weapons systems and platforms for services, with dual use applications, stand to benefit.

Similarly, the science and technology department has supported the move and suggested that the proposed protection be made available for 8-10 years.

The biotech department has argued that petty patents should be granted to mechanical devices, including those for patient care, some chemicals and industrial designs.

But global giants such as Intel have opposed the move and have argued that if at all protection is provided, it should be limited to mechanical devices and not for high-tech devices. "No, there is no overwhelming need/ empirical data to support the position that India today needs a utility model law," said Matrix Labs, a subsidiary of Mylan Inc, which is one of the world's largest player in the bulk drugs space.

Japanese companies, which have submitted a joint feedback to the government, have argued that protection against potential misuse should be built in.

Results of the Fourth Meeting of the IP5 Heads of Office held in Tokyo

2011-07-05T11:15:00.002+05:30

The heads of the world’s five largest patent offices of Japan, the U.S., Europe, South Korea, and China (IP5 Offices) held the fourth meeting in Tokyo on June 23 and 24, 2011.

Under the leadership of the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the IP5 Offices held discussions for harmonization of patent systems for the first time in their meeting. If these discussions make further progress, fostering the international harmonization of patent systems, the rights to inventions patented in Japan will more likely be protected as patents overseas. This will allow the Japanese industry to expand overseas operations and conduct international R&D with a greater feeling of security.

At this meeting, it was agreed that the IP5 Offices would accelerate the establishment of a common patent classification, based on the patent classification*1 of the JPO and that of the European Patent Office (EPO). A more elaborate common patent classification will enable patent offices to examine patent literature around the world more efficiently and exhaustively and will consequently improve the stability and reliability of patent rights. It will also benefit businesses by preparing them for the risk of being involved in intellectual property lawsuits overseas because they will be able to easily find patents pertinent to their own technologies, including patents in China and South Korea.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN PATENT LAW & PRACTICE

2011-07-05T11:12:00.002+05:30

Institute of Patent Attorneys, India (IPAI) is providing training in Patent Law and Practice for professional development for Advocates and Patent Agents.

ELIGIBILITY: - LL.B, Science, Engineering, Biotechnology and Pharmacy Graduates are eligible.

TRAINING MODE: - Study materials will be sending by courier/by registered post immediately after joining the course. Five days Class Room Training shall be conducted at New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai, in October/November-2011.Local Training shall be conducted other centres, if sufficient candidates are enrolled from there.

COURSE CERTIFICATE

Institute of Patent Attorneys, India (IPAI) shall issue a certificate of training:-

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN PATENT LAW & PRACTICE

The Last date for submitting the application: 20/07/2011

For application and other details log on to www.ipai.in.

Single patent process for Aus, NZ in 2013

2011-07-05T11:11:00.002+05:30

There will be just one application process for patents in both Australia and New Zealand, following deliberations between Australian Innovation Minister Kim Carr and New Zealand Commerce Minister Simon Power.

The two ministers said today that they have agreed to an implementation plan, which will see a single process by early 2013 and a single patent examination by June 2014.

This would remove duplication and reduce costs, while making it easier for businesses to get protection for patents in both countries.

Most of the patents filed in New Zealand were also filed in Australia, according to Carr.

"It is the government's role to encourage innovation, not hinder it with unnecessary administration processes," Carr said.

He said that businesses looking to file patents would be saving between $2000 and $5000 per invention, with the single portal. "We believe the single pathway to patent protection across Australia and New Zealand will, in turn, encourage inventors and businesses."

He also believed that the single market would give Australian and New Zealand innovators confidence to seek intellectual property protection overseas.

The ministers have also been looking at having a single regulation framework and body for patent attorneys in the two countries, releasing a discussion paper on the matter in April.

"Standardised accreditation for patent attorneys will give inventors confidence that they are receiving the same high-quality informed advice on both sides of the Tasman," said Power at the time, while Carr said it would save time, money and effort for the profession.

Officials are now analysing submissions, according to Power's office, and will be reporting to the ministers in due course.

The Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA) has put in a submission saying that it is not opposed to the establishment of a single regulatory body and register for patent attorneys, and that it considers that the responsibilities for the body set out in the paper to be generally appropriate.

The Australian Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys also submitted a supplementary document, saying that it is important that, where the standards differ between the countries in accreditation, the better standard is taken for both countries.