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Managing Intellectual Property is delighted to publish the IP STARS 2019 rankings of the leading firms for trade mark work. This is the first set of results from the research for IP STARS 2019, which started in September 2018.

With a focus on global innovation, the ninth edition of WIPO’s Global Innovation Index sees China join a list of 25 leading economies and the promotion of emerging economies including India

Internet service providers are likely to celebrate key concessions in the latest version of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement

The trend: New rules in the UK improve forum for simpler IP disputes
The impact: More options for litigants as courts in Europe compete for business

Amazon's controversial patent on the so-called one-click method of online shopping was granted in Canada just before Christmas, following a Federal Court of Appeal decision in November. An amendment to the patent application was filed at CIPO just under one month after the Federal Court of Appeal ruled that the patent should be re-examined using the guidance outlined in its decision. While the decision is good news for patenting business methods in Canada, some would have liked to see the Commissioner appeal to the Supreme Court to gain additional clarity about the Court of Appeal's decision. Because there was no additional office action, the Office's interpretation of the decision is unknown, and will remain so until new guidelines for examiners on business methods are issued, which is likely to be some time. The quick allowance of the patent suggests that the new commissioner, Sylvain Laporte, may differ significantly from former commissioner Mary Carman on business method patents.

The list of the 50 most influential people in IP is one of Managing IP’s most popular regular features. This year, we’ve taken a slightly different approach to it.

You’ve probably heard of the BRIC countries, and maybe also the MINT group. But in trade marks, the future is BUSTT

To date, UK businesses have had to consider two parallel systems for registered design rights: the UK registered design right under the Registered Designs Act 1949 (as amended) and the Community registered design right under EC Directive 6/2002/EC (the Community Designs Regulation). However, on September 24 2007, the European Community signed the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement concerning the international registration of industrial designs, creating a third layer of registered design right protection. The UK had not previously been a signatory to the Hague Agreement, and so this is the first time that the Hague Agreement will apply to the UK, the EU implementing legislation (Commission Regulation 876/2007, amending Regulation 6/2002/EC ) being directly applicable in EU member states.

People, Laws and Courts

From April 1 industrial designers have a cheaper and more efficient means of obtaining protection for their work when the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement comes into force. Ingrid Hering reports