New books

The IPKat has come into possession of the sixth edition of the CIPA Guide to the Patents Act, edited by Stephen Jones (Baker & McKenzie) and Paul Cole (Lucas & Co) with Alan White as consultant editor, published at the end of March.

The latest edition of the Black Book follows its tried-and-tested formula of reproduction of statutory provisons, followed by detailed discussion of relevant case law. The result, in the words of Lord Justice Jacob, who wrote the foreword, is 'both useful and intelligent' (though may leave you in need of a stronger prescription for your glasses). The book includes changes in the light of the Patents Act 2004, the EPC 2000 and the Patents Rules 2007, as well as discussion of cases decided since the last edition in 2001 (think Kirin Amgen, Aerotel-Macrossan etc).

Bibliographic details: hardback, ccxiii + 1486 pages. ISBN: 9780421957404. Price £300. Rupture factor: substantial Publisher's web page here

At the risk of a little self-promotion, the IPKat draws his reader's attention to a new book edited by IPKat team-member Ilanah. Trade Mark Law and Sharing Names considers situations where trade mark owners share their trade marks with other undertakings, either by choice, or because they are forced to do so. It asks what the implications of these situations are for the idea that a trade mark identifies the origin of one undertaking's goods or services, taking in a discussion of, amongst other things, the own name defence, the economics of trade marks, the scope of infringement, coexistence and licensing on the way.

Bibliographic details: hardback, xx + 209 pages. ISBN: 978 1 84720 279 6. Price £53.96 (online). Rupture factor: non-existent; Publisher's web page here.