Friday fantasies

Forthcoming events.  Don't forget to check out the IPKat' Forthcoming Events page, which is always being topped up with new attractions: conferences, seminars, courses, speeches, lectures, forums ... Maybe we'll see you at one of them!

Nice to be in Canada? No, Canada to be in Nice. This Kat has discovered via Katfriend Lorraine Fleck's IP Address blog that the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has announced that -- with effect from the autumn of 2015 -- it will accept trade mark applications with goods and services grouped according to the Nice Classification. The implementation of Nice is in advance of Canada implementing changes to its trade mark system as it joins the Madrid Protocol and Singapore Treaty.

Japan and Estonia may not be near neighbours, but they have come a little closer in intellectual property terms with the announcement by the Japan Patent Office of a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot programme between itself and the Estonian Patent Office. This happy arrangement commenced last Monday,6 July 2015.

Some readers of this weblog may be familiar with the name of Sarah Cole, the IBC event organiser who runs the annual IP Summer School, held in Downing College, Cambridge [nb this Kat has a paw in it and has mentioned it on this blog here]. Anyway, Sarah's mum has quite advanced multiple sclerosis (rightly described as a horrible illness) but she has found a lifeline in the South Wales MS Therapy Centre. At risk to life, limb and sanity Sarah has committed herself to cycling 280 miles across three European Cities in order to raise cash to fund new facilities. Although she claims to be overweight, she is nothing like the lady on the left: if she were, we'd be raising money for the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Bicycles. On a more serious note (unless you happen to be a bicycle), you can join Merpel and chip in with a donation via Sarah's Virgin Money Giving page, here. UK taxpayers are entitled to Gift Aid tax relief. 

Around the weblogs.  For some blogs this has been a very busy week. The often peaceful PatLit patent litigation weblog has notched up five fresh items this week, including three (here, here and here) from the talented German hamster, stranglehold and springboard expert Michael Thesen and an update from David Berry on Cuozzo and the correct standard for claim construction under the America Invents Act.  The 1709 Blog, focusing on copyright issues, draws the attention of readers to US fair dealing and the latest contributions of Prince to legal culture. Fellow Kat Neil ponders on the valuation of Subway brand frontman Jared Fogle on the IP Finance blog here.