Wednesday whimsies

Around the blogs. The IPKat congratulates his friends and colleagues at The 1709 Blog for reaching the very gratifying figure of 400 email subscribers, in just over eight months since that specialist copyright weblog was launched. The well-established Class 46 European trade mark weblog, now hosted by MARQUES, has hit new heights, having reached the dizzy figure of 900 email subscribers. A rather more junior but no less cherished blog, Class 99 -- which specialises in design law in Europe and beyond -- has notched up subscriber number 150, as has the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice's jiplp weblog.


On Monday this weblog introduced the new image of the IPKat, which now adorns the top of this blog's side bar. Today it's the turn of his female lookalike sidekick Merpel, instantly recognisable by her bunches and red bow and, for those who are colourblind, by the word "Merpel" ...


Following Monday's speculation regarding the pronunciation of "IPReg" (see item here and comments below), the IPKat has received several emails from readers who, perhaps inspired by the new IPKat logo, suggested that "IP Reg" (or "IP Reginald", for those who prefer a more formal mode of address) should have his own likeness. Merpel rather likes the picture on the right, but graphic suggestions are invited from the weblog's talented readers. The two best entrants (entries, please, by email, by not later than close of play on Sunday 24 January) will receive a copy of A complete guide to passing the European qualifying exam, by Simon Roberts and Andrew Rudge -- an excellent tome which is aimed at those preparing for the EQEs (the Kats understand that those who have used it have spoken highly of it). The new 2010 edition was published by Sweet & Maxwell in October and is available to non-winners for the modest sum of £135.


Never mind the Three Tenors, now it's the turn of the Five IP Offices. They've not yet recorded their first track or made their live debut, but the world's five busiest Patent Offices have launched their own website. For the record (no pun intended), the Big Five are China, Korea, Japan, the USPTO and the EPO (the Kat thanks his friend Kathrin Vowinckel for the link).

Right: simultaneous interpreters at the most recent Big Five talks struggle to find the right translation of "IPKat" ...


The IPKat was swift to congratulate Dr Mike Barlow last week on his being honoured with the OBE for services to intellectual property law -- but he just wants to add something. As part of his dedicated service to the IP community, Mike is a member of the Council of the Intellectual Property Institute, a deserving cause with which the Kat is proud to be associated.