Latest Ministerial appointments

The new Minister for Innovation in the British government is, according to Managing Intellectual Property, Baron Young of Norwood Green (right), a life peer with no previous ministerial experience. Promisingly, he lists the United States (where much of our IP comes from) and China (where most of our infringements come from) as two of his countries of interest, together with Italy -- which is somewhere between the two. Lord Young is a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, as well as a Lord in Waiting, which sounds like a great title for anyone whose remit includes making representations concerning the length of time taken in processing European patent applications.

The IPKat has been informed that David Lammy MP (left) has also been appointed as a Minister of State in the same Department. The Kats don't know much about him, but they all think that Lammy is a super name ...

The IPKat wishes both these gentlemen well in their new role. Merpel says, since Ministers for IP are replaced so swiftly, she's going to save some time and effort by taking the opportunity to welcome whoever replaces them too.