Happy birthday, Sir Robin!

This most auspicious date is more than merely World Intellectual Property Day, the IPKat is pleased to inform his readers. Let us salute our noble Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Robin Jacob, whose birthday it is today. A distinguished author and former practitioner in the field of IP, Sir Robin is probably the leading judicial authority on the role of the nerd in inventive step and the difference between a nerd and a complete android.

Right: Life for the judiciary can be tough. Now that judges in England and Wales are preparing to abandon the wearing of wigs in civil litigation, it is necessary for them to trial other, more modern and less conspicious head-coverings.

His Lordship also has a strong opinion about letting patent owners keep the damages they are awarded and the licence fees they receive, even if the patent is subsequently found to be invalid (on which see yesterday's post). Adds Merpel, while Sir Robin is rightly extremely critical of the high cost of lawyers' fees in IP litigation, he probably feels - by analogy - that those who charged top rates while he was at the Bar should be able to keep their earnings too ...

Historical footnote: Sir Robin Jacob shares his birthday with Rock'n'Roll legend Duane Eddy, mystery aviator Rudolf Hess and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes author Anita Loos.