1. Intellectual property law: an introduction

Author(s):  
Abbe Brown ◽  
Smita Kheria ◽  
Jane Cornwell ◽  
Marta Iljadica

This chapter provides an accessible introduction to intellectual property (IP) law. It provides and challenges some definitions of intellectual property law and IP itself. It discusses the development of IP law as a field of study in an increasingly global context and presents a realistic view of the law as it actually operates; the relationships between different levels of IP law—at national, European, European Union, and international levels; the various influences on the formation, justifications for, and development of IP law including between IP law and other legal fields; and the tensions that arise from different perspectives when the law seeks to protect IP.

Author(s):  
Abbe Brown ◽  
Smita Kheria ◽  
Jane Cornwell ◽  
Marta Iljadica

Contemporary Intellectual Property: Law and Policy, fifth edition, offers a unique perspective on intellectual property (IP) law, unrivalled amongst IP textbooks. An accessible introduction to IP law, it provides not only a comprehensive account of the substantive law, but also discusses the overarching policies directing the legal decision-making, as well as areas for further debate. Intellectual property law is an increasingly global subject, and the book introduces the relevant European and international dimensions to present a realistic view of the law as it actually operates. It explores IP law as an organic discipline, evaluating the success with which it has responded to new challenges. Images and diagrams, with analysis of key cases and key extracts, are all incorporated alongside the author commentary to clearly illustrate the core principles in IP law. Exercise, questions, and discussion points are provided to help the reader to engage with the material, and additional material is provided in the Online Resources. Beyond providing an up-to-date account of IP law, the text examines the complex policies that inform modern IP law at the domestic (including Scottish), European, and international levels, giving the reader a true insight into the discipline and the shape of things to come. The focus is on contemporary challenges to IP law and policy, and the reader is encouraged to engage critically with the text and the subject matter. The book has been carefully developed to ensure that the complexities of the subject are addressed in a clear and approachable way.


Author(s):  
L. Bently ◽  
B. Sherman ◽  
D. Gangjee ◽  
P. Johnson

This introduction provides an overview of topics covered in this book which relate to all areas of intellectual property law, including the justifications that have been put forward for granting intellectual property rights. It also considers the key international and regional developments that have influenced intellectual property law in the UK, such as the creation of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) negotiations, and European Union law. The chapter also discusses the ways in which the European Union is involved in intellectual property law, such as its involvement in negotiating and signing treaties. Finally, it looks at the European Economic Area and non-EU regional initiatives on intellectual property, as well as the implications of Brexit.


Author(s):  
Nataliia Myronenko

Key words: trademark, series of signs, dominant element, originality, resolution The article, based on the analysis of the doctrine of intellectual property law,legislation of Ukraine, law enforcement practice, examines the state and prospects ofproviding legal protection of a series of trademarks. To overcome the existing gap inthe legislation of Ukraine, the need to amend the Law of Ukraine «On Protection ofRights to Marks for Goods and Services» is justified. It is proposed to define «a seriesof marks as a set of trademarks belonging to one owner of interdependent rights, interconnected by the presence of the same dominant verbal, figurative or combined element,having phonetic and semantic similarity, and may also bear minor graphic differencesthat do not change the essence of the trademarks. The lack of definition ofthe term «dominant element» in the legislation is emphasized. Based on the provisionsof the philosophy and doctrine of intellectual property law, the dominant elementmeans the smallest indivisible component of the trademark, which is originaland not descriptive. Based on this, its main features are distinguished: originalityand indivisibility.It is proved that the same position of the dominant element in the structure of allsigns is necessary to create a stable image of consumers in relation to a particularproduct and its manufacturer. Examples of court decisions on recognition or refusal toprovide legal protection to trademarks are given.In the context of reforming the legislation of Ukraine in terms of its approximation toEU legislation and the development of relevant case law, which must meet Europeanstandards, the expediency of using the legal positions of such a leading democratic courtas the European Court of Justice is justified. Attention is drawn to the fact that the decisionof the ECJ is not a source of law for resolving disputes of this category by the courtsof Ukraine. At the same time, they are a source of harmonious interpretation of the nationallegislation of Ukraine in accordance with the established standards of the legalsystem of the European Union. It is proved that this conclusion is consistent with thepurpose and objectives to be solved in the country in the process of implementing the provisionsof the Association Agreement in the legislation of Ukraine. Proposals are formulatedto improve the quality of legislation in the field of IP law.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-196
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Żok

Free and open source software (FOSS) has undoubtedly become an important element of intellectual property law. It is therefore not surprising that the European Commission developed its own non-proprietary licence, i.e. the European Union Public Licence (EUPL). The article examines the reference to ‘a work of software’ to determine the scope of the licence. For this purpose, the paper discusses the reasons for the creation of the EUPL, the relationship between a work and software as well as the structure of a computer program. The following considerations also include the compatible licences listed in the EUPL Appendix. The article concludes that the reference to a work or software is not accidental because it removes serious doubts arising from the concept of a computer program. Thus, this legal solution may facilitate the wider adoption of the licence.


2020 ◽  
pp. 223-229
Author(s):  
Ian J. Lloyd

Systems of intellectual property law date back many centuries and play a very important role in the information technology field. The main forms of intellectual property law are patents, copyright and trade marks. All play important roles and are considered in this section of the book. Patents and copyright have been applied in an IT context from the early days of the computer whilst trade marks have come to assume more significance with the commercialization of the Internet and its use by major manufacturers who typically own many trade marks developed for use in the course of their activities in the physical environment. As with many areas, the connection between the real and virtual words is not exact. The application of the law of copyright to software has seldom been in doubt. It is clear that the unauthorized copying of all of a work is unlawful. What is not clear is the extent of the protection. The famous scientist Isaac Newton is quoted as saying “If I have seen further, it is because I stood on the shoulders of giants”. Most later works build to some extent on their predecessors and there is a difficult dividing line between fair and unfair use of such works. Somewhat different issues apply in relation to patents – a branch of the law which offers the strongest protection but does require that works be innovative and produce a technical effect – that they should do something. This can be difficult to assess in respect of very fast-moving technologies.


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