EACCNJ European
Union IP Forum
Nick Bassil
Kilburn & Strode LLP
Kilburn & Strode LLP  20 Red Lion Street  London  WC1R 4PJ  United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200  F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299  E: ks@kstrode.co.uk  W: www.kstrode.co.uk
Topics
• The European patent landscape
– Patentability
– Costs
– Enforcement
– Proposed EU Unitary Patent and
Unified Patent Court
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
• The European TM/® and ©
landscape
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
The European patent
landscape
Kilburn & Strode LLP  20 Red Lion Street  London  WC1R 4PJ  United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200  F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299  E: ks@kstrode.co.uk  W: www.kstrode.co.uk
EU states
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
From: http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries/index_en.htm
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
EPC states
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
From: http://www.epo.org/about-us/organisation/member-states.html
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Patentability in Europe
• Novelty
– Absolute
– Exception for “abusive disclosure” or
international exhibition (6 months)
• Inventive step
– “Objective problem to be solved”
– Compared to “closest prior art”
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Disclosure
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
• No “duty of candour” and no
inequitable conduct issues
• EPO/USPTO agreement to share
search results from priority
documents
• EPO can request update on
citations from co-pending
applications
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
EPO
• Examining Division
– 3 members in a division
– Separate search before substantive
examination
• Reply to search opinion
– Interviews possible (but exceptions)
– Right to oral proceedings must be
requested
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
EPO costs
• Cost of filing and prosecution
– “Cost reduction strategies”
– Consider national filings and/or PPH
• Grant stage costs
– Claims translation
• Validation costs
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
– London Agreement reduction in
formalities
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Oral proceedings at EPO
• OPs in Examination
– Opportunity to settle beforehand
– Final submissions
– Use of auxiliary requests
• OPs in Opposition
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
– Can avoid if other side withdraws (but
not always)
– Use of auxiliary requests
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Enforcement in Europe
• National courts
– Different procedures but trend to
harmonise decisions
• EU IP Enforcement Directive
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
– Minimum standards across EU states
in single market
– But differences remain in discovery
etc.
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Top tips for filing patent
applications in Europe
• Remember
– “Incorporation by reference” does not
exist (in general)
– EPO treats PCT stage as part of EPO
regional procedure
– If you don’t pay additional search
fees in PCT phase
• Cannot change claims if EPO was ISA
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
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W: www.kstrode.co.uk
– Limited to scope of search by ISA/EPO
• Can reorder claims if ISA was other PO
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Top tips for filing patent
applications in Europe
• Avoid
– Multiple claims in same category
– Excess claims fees (+16/ +51)
– Excess page charges (+36)
– Adding matter in amendments
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
• Look for other solutions!
• “Same words/same order/same place”
test
• Added matter is a ground for invalidity!
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Top tips for filing patent
applications in Europe
• Do
– Include evidence of special technical
effect in application/ worked
examples
• Key to success with inventive step
– Include micro-organism deposit
receipt information in priority
document and PCT application
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Top tips for filing patent
applications in Europe
• EPO Divisional Practice changes
– 2 year rule
• Voluntary (unclaimed subject matter)
• Mandatory (in response to unity
objection)
– No “rolling” divisional applications
anymore
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
• Decide strategy at an earlier stage
now
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Opposition practice
• No presumption of validity for EP
patent
• Opponent has burden of proof - but
it can shift
• Actions of Examiner in examination
irrelevant (mostly)
• Can file opposition anonymously
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
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– but must not be an abuse of process
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Appeal practice
• Appeal considers correctness of 1st
instance decision
– Not an opportunity to file a new case!
– Can respond to 1st instance decision
with amendments (up to a point)
– Statement of Grounds is important
and cannot be embellished later
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Proposed EU Unitary
Patent and Unified
Patent Court
•
•
•
•
Unitary Patent
Unified Patent Court
Status
Stumbling blocks
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Unitary Patent
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
“Standard” European
Patent
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
• Current “Standard” European
Patent filed at EPO and examined
centrally
• On grant necessary to validate
“Standard” European patent in
states where protection needed
• Central opposition possible in 9
months after grant
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Territorial scope
Kilburn & Strode LLP
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United Kingdom
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• “Standard” EP patent covers 38
EPC contacting states (plus 2
extension states
• “Unitary” patent to cover 25 EU
Member States (27 EU States
minus IT & ES)
• EPO to administer “Unitary” patent
as well as “Standard” EP patent
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
EU and EPC
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Aims of Unitary Patent
• “Making access to the patent system
easier, less costly and legally secure”
• “Improving the level of patent protection
by providing uniform patent protection in
all participating member states”
• Creates unitary patent in Europe in
addition to “standard” European patent
and national patents
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Obtaining a Unitary Patent
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
• Examination process unchanged at
EPO for “Unitary” patent
• EPO grant formalities unchanged
(still file claim translations, pay
grant & printing fees etc.)
• Change comes in second stage of
grant process - validation vs.
unitary effect
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Obtaining a Unitary Patent
Within 1 month of grant, file:
– Request for unitary effect
(Art 12(1)(g))
– Translations (during transitional
period, until machine translations
sufficiently accurate)
(Translation Arrangements, Art 6)
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Obtaining a Unitary Patent
• Translations:
– For French/German patents: translate into
English (Translation Arrangements, Art
6(1)(a))
– For English language patents: translate into
language of an EU member state
(Translation Arrangements, Art 6(1)(b))
• Compensation scheme for states with
non-EPO official language
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
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(Translation Arrangements, Art 5)
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Effect of a Unitary Patent
• Uniform protection having equal effect in
all participating Member States (Art
3(2))
• Assignment, Revocation, Limitation
Lapse…..in respect of all states
• License….in respect of whole or part of
territories of states
(Art 3(2))
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Renewal of a Unitary
Patent
Renewal fees
-
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
Annually, post-grant, progressive
Paid to the EPO
6m grace period
“equivalent to the level of the renewal
fee to be paid for the average
geographical coverage of current
European Patent”
(Art 14 to 16)
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Unitary Patent
• Into force: 1 January 2014 or entry
into force of Unified Patent Court,
whichever later (Art 22(2))
– Delays over ratification of Court
agreement could delay Unitary patent
Kilburn & Strode LLP
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United Kingdom
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• Available for any European Patent
granted on or after the above date
(Art 22(4))
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Patent Protection in Europe
– after implementation
Options:
– Standard European Patent
– Unitary Patent
– Unitary Patent + validations in EPC
states which are not participating
Member States (ES, IT, AL, BA, CH & LI,
HR, IS, MC, MK, ME, NO, RS, SM & TR)
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
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– National Patents
(Rec 22)
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Unified Patents Court
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Unified Patent Court
• International Agreement between
participating member states
• Jurisdiction:
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
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- Unitary patent
- Standard EP patent (exclusive after
transitional period of 7 years)
- SPCs (from Unitary and Standard EP
patents but not national patents?)
(Art 3 & 16)
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Unified Patent Court
Appeal Court
Registry
Court of First Instance
(Central, Local and Regional Divisions)
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Unified Patent Court
• Court of First Instance (CFI)
- Central Division
• Paris
• London (Chemistry & Biotech cases)
• Munich (Mechanical Engineering cases)
- Local and Regional Divisions
(Art 4 & 5)
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Unified Patent Court
• Court of Appeal (Art 4 & 7)
– Luxembourg
• Registry (Art 4 & 8)
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
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– Keeps records of all cases
– According to latest copy of
Agreement, at seat of Court of
Appeal, with sub-registries at CFI
– Reports say it will actually be in Paris
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Unified Patent Court
• Comes into force after
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
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– Agreement by EU Parliament,
– Ratification by 13 states, including the
3 states in which the highest number
of European Patents was in force in
the preceding year (Art. 59)
– If in force after 1 January 2014, will
bring in Unitary Patent Regulation
also
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Unified Patent Court
• Transitional period for Standard
European patents:
– For 7 years after entry into force, can
still initiate proceedings for
infringement/revocation before
national court (Art 58(1) & (2))
– EPs filed/granted prior to entry into
force – can opt out (Art 58(3) & (4))
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
• Consider opting out until track
record of court established
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Status
• Drafts in circulation...
– Draft Regulation on Unitary Patent
– Draft Regulation on Translation
Arrangements
– Draft Agreement on Unified Patent
Court
– Draft Rules of Procedure of Court
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
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F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
• But, secret negotiations mean
current content not clear
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Status
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
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• Draft documents agreed by EU
Council on 29 June 2012
• EU Parliament objected to
proposed removal of Articles 6 – 8
• Proposals reconsidered in the
Autumn?
• Target is to grant first Unitary
Patent by April 2014
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Stumbling Blocks
• Articles 6 – 8 of Unitary Patent
Regulation
Kilburn & Strode LLP
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– Set out what constitutes infringement of a
Unitary Patent
– Means CJEU have jurisdiction over
questions of law regarding infringement of
Unitary Patents (but not standard patents)
– Council proposed to delete, EU Parliament
not happy
– Definitions of infringement also found in
Articles 14f-14h of Unified Court Agreement
(but this is not subject to CJEU).
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Stumbling Blocks
• Bifurcation
– Infringement / Validity can be
separate
•
•
•
•
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
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United Kingdom
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Languages
Cost
Judges
National SPCs
– SPCs on Unitary Patents?
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
...and after all that
• Unitary patent can be avoided by
electing to have Standard European
Patent instead
– (but Unified Court still relevant)
• To avoid translations – for Standard
EP patent validate in London
Agreement states only
Kilburn & Strode LLP
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United Kingdom
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– No translations: FR DE CH/LI LU MC GB IE
– Claims (into local language) if patent in
English: HR DK FI HU IS NL SE
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
...and after all that
• Unified Patent Court can be
avoided by:
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
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United Kingdom
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– Initiating proceedings nationally
during transitional period
– opting out (for cases filed/granted
before Agreement comes into force)
– filing national patents instead of EP
(N.B. Some states have “closed” the
national route from PCTs)
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
The European Trademark
and Copyright landscape
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Copyright
•
•
•
•
Life of the author plus 70 years
No registration
Only tested in court
EU as driving force for
harmonisation and protection for
new forms of related right
– Database right etc.
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
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European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Trademarks
Kilburn & Strode LLP  20 Red Lion Street  London  WC1R 4PJ  United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200  F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299  E: ks@kstrode.co.uk  W: www.kstrode.co.uk
Madrid System
• File base application
– national or CTM
– wait until base is registered
• File Madrid Application to obtain
protection in selected territories
• National TMOs examination
– notice of grant protection in 18 months
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
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United Kingdom
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• ‘Central Attack’ on base in five
years leads to break-up of
registration
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Madrid System
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
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• Madrid Applications – bundle of
rights covering selected countries.
• Protocol/Agreement – cannot be
combined; if country is member of
both Protocol prevails
• Can add designations at any time;
rights subsist for remaining
duration of underlying Madrid
registration
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
EU states
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
From: http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries/index_en.htm
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
OHIM
• File application
• Examination on absolute/relative
grounds
• Searches conducted for earlier rights
• Publication (opposition period 3
months)
• Registration
Kilburn & Strode LLP
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– Post-grant Challenge – Invalidation
/Revocation
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Trademarks
• Avoid Madrid System when
applying for CTM
– File direct at OHIM instead
– Broader specification (no “actual use”
issue)
• IP Translator case at CJEU (Case
C-307/10)
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
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United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
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E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
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– Applications TM using Nice
Classification as definition of all
good/services in application
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Comparison US/EU
USA
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
• Actual Use &/or
Foreign filing PLUS
Intention to Use;
• Objections and
amendment likely
• 30 days (oppn.)
• Declaration of Use
5-6th year
• Non use: 3 years
EU
• No pre-registration use
required /intention
– (unless showing
acquired distinctiveness)
• Broader specification
possible
• 3 months (oppn.)
• Reg. subsists until
challenged/expiry
• Non use: 5 years
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Top tips for successful
EU TM filing strategy
• First filing in ‘fast to register’
territory
– claim Paris Convention 6-month
priority and file national applications
• UK, approx. 4 months
• CTM approx. 5-6 months
• US more than 8 months
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
– Madrid System filings based on initial
registration
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Questions?
Nick Bassil
Kilburn & Strode LLP
www.kstrode.co.uk
Kilburn & Strode LLP  20 Red Lion Street  London  WC1R 4PJ  United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200  F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299  E: ks@kstrode.co.uk  W: www.kstrode.co.uk
Details of Unified Patent
Court
Further information on procedures and
composition of the Court
Kilburn & Strode LLP  20 Red Lion Street  London  WC1R 4PJ  United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200  F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299  E: ks@kstrode.co.uk  W: www.kstrode.co.uk
Court of First Instance
• Central Division
– Composition of Panel:
• 2 legally-qualified judges and 1
technically qualified judge
• Can be single legally qualified judge if
parties agree
• Mixed nationalities
(Art 6 (5a) - (7))
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Court of First Instance
• Local and Regional Divisions
– Composition of Panel
• 3 legally qualified judges
• Can request an additional, technically
qualified judge
• Can be single legally qualified judge if
parties agree
• Mixed nationalities
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
(Art 6 (1) – (5) & (7))
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Court of First Instance
• Languages
– Central Division
• language of patent (Art 29(5))
– Local/Regional Divisions
• an official language of the EU which is an official
language of state hosting the Division; or
• an official language of the EPO, if designated as
the language of proceedings by the state; or
• language of patent (if parties and panel agree)
(Art 29(1) – (3))
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Court of First Instance
• Infringement
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
– Local/Regional Division where
alleged infringement occurred or
where defendant has residence/place
of business (Art 15a(1))
– Central Division if no appropriate L/R
Division (Art 15a(1)(b))
– Parties can agree on a Division of
their choice, including Central
Division (Art 15(6))
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Court of First Instance
• Counterclaim for revocation
– Same Local/Regional Division as
Infringement Proceedings. L/R Division can:
• Proceed with both
• Refer counterclaim for revocation to Central
Division and suspend or proceed with
infringement proceedings (bifurcation)
• Refer both to the Central Division (if parties
agree)
(Art 15a(2) & (3))
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
– Parties can agree on a Division of their
choice, including Central Division (Art 15(6))
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Court of First Instance
• Action for Revocation
– Central Division (Art 15a(3))
– Other Division if parties agree (Art
15a(6))
• Declarations of non-infringement
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
– Central Division (Art 15a(3))
– Other Division if parties agree (Art
15a(6))
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Court of First Instance
• Belgian or Italian “torpedos” will
cease under Unified Patent Court
• A pending action for Declaration of
Non-infringement will be stayed if
an Infringement action is initiated
within 3 months (Art 15a(5))
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Court of First Instance
• Example 1
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
– Slovenian generics company (SI) infringing
patent (language= English) in UK
– Patentee files action for infringement at UK
Local Division
– SI files counterclaim for revocation at UK
Local Division
– UK Local Division can hear both claims,
refer counterclaim to CD (bifurcation) or
refer both claims to CD
– Parties could agree on alternative Division
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Court of First Instance
• Example 2
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
– Slovenian generics company (SI) infringing
patent in Slovenia
– SI files action for revocation in Central
Division
– Patentee files action for infringement at
Local Division (Slovenia) or Regional
Division (Hungary?)
– Slovenian/Hungarian Division can hear
action for infringement (bifurcation) or refer
it to the Central Division
– Parties could agree on alternative Division
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Court of First Instance
• Forum shopping
– where alleged infringement occurred
or where defendant has
residence/place of business
• Bifurcation
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
– action for revocation or counterclaim
for revocation be handled by Central
Division whilst Local/Regional
Division handles the infringement
proceedings
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Court of Appeal
• Composition of Panel
- 3 legally qualified judges and 2
technically qualified judges
- Mixed nationalities
(Art. 7)
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys
Court of Appeal
• Languages:
– Language of proceedings before the
CFI; or
– Language of patent (if parties agree);
or
– Another official language of a state (if
Court of Appeal and parties agree)
(Article 30)
Kilburn & Strode LLP
20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7539 4200
F: +44 (0) 20 7539 4299
E: ks@kstrode.co.uk
W: www.kstrode.co.uk
European Patent Attorneys • Chartered Patent Attorneys • Trade Mark Attorneys