Monday miscellany

Around the weblogs.  The IPKat sends his congratulations to the 1709 Blog for hitting the 1,600 email subscriber mark -- and he salutes Ben, Eleonora, Iona and the rest of the crew for their efforts in presenting copyright issues in such a lively and attractive manner.  Courtesy of the IP Court Users' Committee, PatLit announces a new practice for the designation of patent cases in England and Wales, with effect from 1 January 2013 (even if that date is a public holiday).  Meanwhile, over on Afro-IP, Kingsley Egbuonu's return to Gabon has yielded some cheerful news, for a change, as that country's online scene is definitely brightening up.

"The rise of a new IP superpower". No, this isn't an allusion to the Unified Patent Court -- it's nothing more sinister than the title of The Intellectual Property Lawyers Organisation (TIPLO) Christmas event, which takes place on the agreeably early date of Monday 10 December. As this elite organisation of IP diners puts it, if you're sick of ‘turkey’ this Christmas, try China instead: the evening is dedicated to a debate on the possible rise of China as an IP superpower.  We are all familiar with China as a source of IP infringing goods.   But are we as aware as we should be of the dramatic change in focus in this country towards creating its own IP?  Join speakers Lise Bertelsen (Executive Director, China-Britain Business Council) and Luke Minford (partner, Rouse), chaired by Ian Harvey (former CEO of BTG and quite a JGB when you get to know him ...  TIPLO's team of expert chefs is already undergoing endurance training for the marathon meal ahead.  For further details, click here.

If a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, what's a fish in the hand worth? Annie Berman, of Fish in the Hand Productions, has written to the IPKat to tell him this: 

"My Creative Commons licensed documentary film explores pop-iconography, through the images and representations of Elvis Presley, Pope John Paul II, and Princess Diana.  12 years in the making, the film reveals the conflicting relationship between art, religion, expression, and the law.  it is now nearing completion, but needs to raise the necessary finishing funds. We have just a few short days to do so on Kickstarter. Please check out the video and campaign for more information.  

Participants in the film include Larry Lessig, Mark Hosler of Negativland, ElVez, representatives from the three estates, artists, fans, the media, and Sid Shaw - the man who contested the Elvis Estate's trade mark application for Elvis in the UK, ..and won! 

I think the subject is extremely timely especially in lieu of the new Guernsey legislation - a scheme to register image rights internationally which will take effect on 3 December.

From the smile, this Kat
guesses that this photo
was taken before the
big event ...

The London Marathon is coming up on 21 April 2013. Disappointingly, this is nothing to do with IP litigation at all, but consolation comes in the form of the news that the IPKat's friend, IP enthusiast Bratin Roy, is running in order to raise money for two charities, both of which are close to his heart and both of which desperately need funds to continue their valuable work. If you want to support Bratin's charity work, or even if you are mildly amused at the thought of an IP practitioner having to raise money by running 26+ miles instead of just sending off the occasional invoice or drawing a comfortable paycheck, please give generously.  Donation details are here.