July 13, 2009
In Israel, there is no automatic publication of patent applications after 18 months. Instead, on allowance and on payment of a publication fee, the Patent Office publishes the Application Number, details of applicant and a summary and representative image in the Patent Office Journal . The summary is usually based on the main claim and is written by the patent office staff. Apparently this is one of the reasons why the Patent Office Journal is frequently late.
In Patent Office Circular No. M.N. 73, Dr. Meir Noam has announced that, for the very many allowed patents that are national phase entries of PCT applications, the Patent Office will now publish the Official PCT Abstract rather than have a new summary written.
We applaud this decision which will hopefully increase efficiency, and hope that the cost savings will be passed on to the applicants, with lowered fees.
We note that back in 2006 there was a first reading of an amendment to the Israel Patent Law to allow automatic publication after 18 months as happens with most other advanced industrialized countries. This amendment was never passed but it is hoped that it will be legislated by the current Knesset. Other IP legislation that is held up is design law, with Israel still following a hundred year old ordinance inherited from the British.
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Posted by Dr Michael Factor
July 13, 2009
The Associated press has reported that a Swiss Pirate Party was launched on Sunday in Zurich, Switzerland. The political party promotes Internet freedom and copyright reform and aims to follow in the footsteps of the Swedish pirate party that won a seat at the European Parliament.
According to a party statement, the new party was formed by a group of about 150 people under the name “Ahead.” The party’s platform includes free access to knowledge, culture and the media, human rights and privacy.
Whether the Swedish Pirate’s Party or Israel’s Kadima Party (literally forwards, or ahead) will sue for copyright or trademark infringement is not yet known. The issue of IP Abuse in politics is so rife that one would not be surprised.
Kadima was set up by Ariel Sharon and Olmert following a referendum of the Likud membership that they lost. Based on various corruption charges they could be considered crooks with a degree of legitimacy. The title pirate would, however, be more appropriate perhaps for Moshe Dyan with his eye-patch.
Why the landlocked Swiss want to promote rights for pirates is anyone’s guess.
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Posted by Dr Michael Factor
