Norbert Walasek
Using the image of a public figure in memes: Where is the boundary?
03.10.2019
intellectual property
Internet users don’t need to be told what a meme is. But for the sake of order, according to Merriam-Webster, a meme in this sense is defined as “an amusing or interesting item (such as a captioned picture or video) or genre of items that is spread widely online especially through social media.” Memes have found a home in virtual reality, not only in sites especially devoted to memes but also in social media and news sites, where memes are often used to illustrate comments on current political events.
Manufacturing waiver weakens SPCs
18.07.2019
already in force, life sciences, intellectual property
Regulation (EU) 2019/933 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2019 amending Regulation (EC) No 469/2009 concerning the supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products entered into force on 1 July 2019. The regulation introduced a “manufacturing waiver” excluding certain acts by drug manufacturers in the EU from the protection awarded under supplementary protection certificates.
No supplementary protection for a new form of an active substance
04.04.2019
life sciences, European Court of Justice, intellectual property
In a judgment of 21 March 2019 (C-443/17) the CJEU reiterated the need for a precise and concise interpretation of the term “protected product” under Regulation (EC) 469/2009 concerning the supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products. The CJEU stressed that this term only applies to an active ingredient of a medicinal product, and not combination with other substances that do not have an independent therapeutic effect.
Patents from Zduńska Wola in Hollywood?
07.12.2017
intellectual property
The cosmetics industry remains one of those industries where the role of innovation cannot be overestimated. Patent law makes it possible to monopolize innovative solutions and ensure their unimpeded exploitation.
Licence for an unlimited time in the assessment of the court
07.07.2016
appeal courts, intellectual property
Exclusion of the possibility of terminating a licence, although debated by legal commentators, had not been ruled on by the Polish courts until recently. But now a judgment has been issued by the court of appeal inferring from the writings and behaviour of the parties that they concluded a non-exclusive licence agreement for an indefinite period without the possibility of terminating the licence.
May counterfeit and pirated goods in transit through the EU be seized and destroyed?
15.12.2011
litigation, European Court of Justice, intellectual property
The European Court of Justice has clarified its holdings on the issue of transit of infringing goods through EU territory.
Unlawful to reuse trademarked containers?
07.10.2010
litigation, intellectual property
The ECJ is to decide whether reuse of packaging bearing a competitor’s brand is trademark infringement.
Someone else's trademark in a domain name?
15.07.2010
litigation, European Court of Justice, intellectual property
Internet domain names should be registered in a way that respects prior rights.