Whether to Cancel National Trademark Registrations in Favor of a CTM
December 01, 2003
Why maintain national trademark registrations in Europe? Your biggest client, the hypothetical Copsi-Cola, Inc., a U.S. beverage manufacturer, with a 95-year-old U.S. trademark registration for the popular POWERSWEET drink, a high-sugar soda, is attempting to expand its trademark rights in the European market and needs your advice. Copsi-Cola has also owned registrations in three of the 15 European Union ("EU") member countries for more than 50 years: France, Spain and Portugal. Copsi-Cola has begun market research in advance of selling its POWERSWEET drink in five more EU member countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany and the Benelux countries, and has asked you to file applications in the national trademark offices in those countries. Copsi-Cola also wants the option of using its mark in all EU member countries.
Patent Protection or <i>Per Se</i> Antitrust Violation?
December 01, 2003
As the winter months approached, a storm was brewing in the antitrust world. The U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Sixth and Eleventh circuits have split over the per se illegality of Hatch-Waxman patent-settlement agreements by which a patent-holding drug maker pays a generic drug company to delay its entry into the market. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has harshly criticized these agreements, and now the Supreme Court has an opportunity to calm the fury.
OK to Use 'Research Tool' Patents Offshore?
December 01, 2003
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has confirmed that there is no patent infringement liability under 35 U.S.C. 271(g)(1) for the offshore use of a "research tool" patent when only the information gained from such offshore use is introduced into the United States.
Study: Forget the 'Blockbusters'
December 01, 2003
A study whose results were reported December 8 asserts that the pharmaceutical industry's "blockbuster" approach to developing new drugs is no longer viable in today's marketplace.
Canadian Pharmaceutical Agency Wants Ban on Exports to U.S.
December 01, 2003
The Canadian National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA), Canada's voluntary umbrella association of provincial and territorial pharmacy licensing bodies, has asked the Canadian government to legislate against the export of drug products to the United States.
What They Do in Delaware
December 01, 2003
The fundamental responsibility of the board of directors of a corporation is to oversee and supervise the management of the corporation's business. All directors of a corporation, whether or not "independent," owe fiduciary obligations to the company and its stockholders. These fiduciary obligations include the duty of care and the duty of loyalty, and, within these duties, a duty of disclosure. The precise enunciation of these fiduciary obligations varies among states. The following discussion is based on the law of Delaware, in which a large proportion of public companies are incorporated.
Nonprofit Corporate Governance
December 01, 2003
In November, the Associated Press reported that HealthSouth's directors, outside auditors and investment bankers had been called to testify before Congress concerning why they failed to detect the massive conspiracy, allegedly led by chief executive Richard Scrushy, to overstate earnings of the one of the nation's largest providers of health care services. The case has already seen more than a dozen former executives of the HealthSouth Corp. plead guilty.
MOST POPULAR STORIES
- How AI Has Affected PRWhen we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.Read More ›
- <b><i>Online Extra: </b></i> 7-Eleven Hit With Discovery Sanctions in NJ Franchise Case </b></i>A federal magistrate judge in Camden has sanctioned 7-Eleven Inc. for what he said were repeatedly deficient discovery responses in a case alleging the company unlawfully targeted South Jersey franchisees and owners for termination.Read More ›
- Regulators are Catching Up to Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology within the Financial Services Industry<b><i>Part Two of a Two-Part Article</b></i><p>The proliferation of cryptocurrency and blockchain is being driven by the efficiencies and protections afforded to early adopters. The operational efficiencies and resulting cost savings are readily apparent in the financial services industry and are equally coveted by the entities trying to implement them and by the customers who will benefit from the implementation. However, neither party can fully enjoy these benefits without first understanding and overcoming the various regulatory hurdles.Read More ›
- Tips for How Women Lawyers Can Chart a Different Course, Part 3Along the way to charting your own course, below are critical habits to be implemented as you stay focused on growing a fulfilling and prosperous career.Read More ›