Wednesday whimsies

The IPKat's friend Peter Groves tells him that he has spent some time over the past few years compiling a dictionary of intellectual property. Says Peter the Lexicographical Lawyer:

"I believe I've spotted a need for something that would explain terms that are often complex and sometimes don't even have a precise meaning, as well as an opportunity to grind some of my favourite axes and to have a little fun too. I already have a publisher lined up and I'm getting close to finishing writing. Even so, I'd still welcome input from IPKat readers [says Merpel, you should be careful what you wish for ...].

A list of the expressions included in the dictionary can be downloaded from my own blog here (beware --the list is growing all the time!). If you notice any omissions, I'll be very pleased to hear about them (don't worry, I'm not asking for definitions, although I might consider it appropriate to seek guidance on particularly obscure terms). I'm especially keen to have suggestions that might give the dictionary a more international, less Anglo-American, flavour. You can contact me by leaving a comment on my blog or email me here".

Good luck Peter, says the Kat, but be careful what you call it. Grove's Dictionary got there first!

You can run, but you can't hide. Coincidentally the very same Peter Groves was the IPKat's informant concerning an exciting piece of news about this year's International Trademark Association (INTA) Meeting in Boston. While there isn't an official 5K Run this year, Colombian law firm Humberto Rubio & Cia has organised its own: details are available here. You can enter this event at no cost, though numbers are limited.

The IPKat (left) in training for the INTA 5K run, while (right) a Kat-in-Waiting about to go through the IPKat's admission rites.

Talking of 5K, which we all know stands for "Five Kats" (a.k.a. the IPKat blogging team), the Five will be joined by a most illustrious Sixth Kat next month. Stand by for further rumours, and maybe even some further information.

Three days before World Intellectual Property Day is UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day, 23 April 2010 (thank you, Mary Wyburn, for letting the Kats know). It does seem silly to the IPKat to have two closely-related calendar dates so close together -- can't the two United Nations agencies (WIPO and UNESCO, that is) cooperate on this? And talking of non-cooperation, World Book Day (without the "and Copyright") for the UK and Ireland is 4 March 2010. Says the World Book Day website,

"Commercial companies, major organisations and retailers should not exploit World Book Day or the logo without prior permission of the charity. A contribution to the core fund of World Book Day will be sought".

Delighted that he falls into none of those categories, the IPKat pleased to help himself to what he assumes to be an implied licence to exploit the logo by displaying it here. Merpel adds, you wouldn't need a licence if we all had Bloggers' Rights.