Thailand Expands the Scope of the ‘Target Patent Fast-Track’ Programme to cover “Green Innovation”

Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has taken a significant step toward promoting environmentally sustainable innovation by expanding the ‘Target Patent Fast-Track’ Programme for Invention and Petty Patent Applications (hereinafter “Application” or “application”) to include “Green Innovation”. Originally launched on 8th December 2023, the programme initially focused on ‘Medical Sciences & Public Health’ and ‘Future […]

Thailand Introduces the ‘Target Design Patent Fast-Track: Green Innovation’ Programme

Building on the success of the ‘Target Patent Fast-Track’ Programme for Invention and Petty Patent Applications launched on 8th December 2023—originally covering ‘Medical Sciences & Public Health’ and ‘Future Food,’ and recently expanded to include ‘Green Innovation’—Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has unveiled another initiative: the ‘Target Design Patent Fast-Track: Green Innovation’ Programme. This […]

An Amazon discovery

This recent Intellectual Property Office of Singapore decision delved into the registrability of an AMAZON-formative mark sought to be registered by a Singapore-incorporated company. Background  Survivalverse Pte Ltd (the applicant) is a Singapore-incorporated company that principally develops videogames and software, which applied to register the mark  (the application mark) in Classes 9 and 41, to be […]

Positive Developments in Vietnam’s IP Appeal Process

Vietnam’s intellectual property (IP) landscape is witnessing significant improvements, particularly in the appeal process for IP decisions. Recent regulatory changes and the establishment of new departments aim to streamline and expedite the resolution of appeals, which have historically been lengthy and cumbersome. 1. Establishment of the Inspection and Appeal Department On 1st July 2024, the […]

Novartis v. Natco Pharma Limited – Patent Examination and Opposition proceedings under the Patents Act are ‘Parallel but Independent’, says Delhi High Court

In the case of Novartis Ag v. Natco Pharma Limited & Anr., a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court (in LPA 50/2023,) clarified that the process of substantive examination of a patent application and a pre-grant opposition proceeding are two separate and independent processes/proceedings, and that the opponent has no right to intervene in […]