AIPPI World Congress – Sydney, Australia

The AIPPI 2017 World Congress in Sydney will develop and adapt research on the following hot IP topics:
Patents: Patentability of computer implemented inventions
Trademarks / Designs: Bad faith trademarks:
IP protection of media and IT: Protection of graphical user interfaces
General: Quantification of monetary relief

IP Lunch 1: Briefing: Development of the IP system in China

Since joining the World Trade Organization in 2001, China has continued to strengthen its legal framework and amend its IP laws and regulations to comply with TRIPS. Today, China has the second largest economy in the world, one of the top five patent offices in the world and hosts the world’s largest trademark office. It is therefore not surprising that the 2016 Global Patent & IP Trends indicator cited the continued increase in the importance of IP in China as a key trend.
While China has embraced IP to drive an innovation-based economy, the development of its IP system has drawn increasing attention from the world. In December 2016, China released the 13th Five-year Plan on National IP Protection and Utilization. Amongst other things, the plan calls for an improved IP legal system, enhanced IP protection, better IP quality, comprehensive IP utilisation and strengthened international cooperation.
This Lunch Session will provide a briefing on recent Chinese IP system developments, and a practical guide to navigating the systems of IP protection in China including via criminal, civil and administrative measures.

IP Lunch 2: Briefing: Recent developments at the EPO

AIPPI is very pleased to once again welcome EPO President Benoît Battistelli at its Congress to provide lunch session attendees with the latest updates on the EPO.
The EPO, with 38 member states and reaching a population of 650 million, is certainly a highly influential actor on the global patent stage. Recognized for its high-quality and business-friendly services, the EPO continues to achieve increased productivity. In 2017, the reform of the Boards of appeal is being implemented and the EPO is preparing for the possible arrival of the unitary patent.

IP Lunch 3: Briefing: Update on Brexit / the UPC

It is anticipated that Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty will be triggered some months before this Congress, giving the UK two years to negotiate its withdrawal from the EU. Given the extent of harmonization of IP law across Europe, the consequences of a UK departure are complex.
This session will provide a briefing on the likely implications for the protection and enforcement of IP in the UK generally, including the issues of free movement/exhaustion and the jurisdictional arrangements if the Brussels Regulation no longer applies to the UK.
The implementation of the Unified Patent Court was at an advanced stage when the Brexit referendum took place. While the UK’s announced intention to ratify the UPC agreement means the UPC system will go ahead, it is unclear if and how the UK can participate in the context of the current UPC framework: part international treaty, part EU Regulation, and subject to the oversight of the Court of Justice of the EU.
It is expected that the UPC will be operational in December 2017. This session will also provide a timely briefing on progress and the possibilities for the UK’s ongoing role in the UPC, in light of the structural uncertainties due to Brexit.

http://aippi.org/event/2017-aippi-world-congress-sydney/