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Upcoming Changes to European Patent Examination Procedures
Recently, the European Patent Office (“EPO”) announced changes to the rules of the European Patent Convention (“EPC” ) as part of the EPO's initiative to speed up patent examination. The new EPC rules, which will be effective on April 1, 2010, will drastically restrict how a patent applicant is able to file divisional patent applications and will increase the patent applicant's obligations to provide information to the EPO during patent examination.
More specifically, these rule changes implement: 1) time limits for filing divisional European patent applications; 2) compulsory responses to European search reports and written opinions of the EPO acting as the International Searching Authority (“ISA”) in European patent applications; 3) a requirement that the basis in the original text of a European patent application be provided for all amendments; 4) restrictions on a patent applicant's right to make voluntary amendments; 5) a requirement, for European patent applications containing more than one independent claim in the same category, that patent applicants identify which claims are to be searched; and 6) a requirement, for claims the EPO considers too broad or unclear on which to carry out a meaningful search, that the patent applicant indicate which subject matter should be searched.
New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment
On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.
Law Firms are Reducing Redundant Real Estate by Bringing Support Services Back to the Office
A trend analysis of the benefits and challenges of bringing back administrative, word processing and billing services to law offices.
Bit Parts
Summary Judgment Denied Defendant in Declaratory Action by Producer of To Kill a Mockingbird Broadway Play Seeking Amateur Theatrical Rights
Risks of “Baseball Arbitration” in Resolving Real Estate Disputes
“Baseball arbitration” refers to the process used in Major League Baseball in which if an eligible player's representative and the club ownership cannot reach a compensation agreement through negotiation, each party enters a final submission and during a formal hearing each side — player and management — presents its case and then the designated panel of arbitrators chooses one of the salary bids with no other result being allowed. This method has become increasingly popular even beyond the sport of baseball.
One Overlooked Element of Executive Safety: Data Privacy
Executives have access to some of the company's most sensitive information, and they're increasingly being targeted by hackers looking to steal company secrets or to perpetrate cybercrimes.