In Regents of the University of California (the ‘Appellant’) vs Controller of Patents and Designs (the ‘Respondent’) [C.A.(COMM.IPD-PAT) 481/2022], the Delhi High Court upheld the rejection of a patent application for genetically modified salmonella vaccine due to insufficient disclosure and overly broad claims, non-patentable subject matter, and failure to deposit recombinant microorganism as required under […]
The microRNA discovery: Singapore and Philippine patent applications
With the selection of the 2025 Nobel Prize laureate(s) in Physiology or Medicine (NPPM) now in the evaluation phase, it is worth revisiting 2024’s winners and ruminating the impact their discovery has had on patent applications filed in Singapore and the Philippines. The 2024 NPPM was jointly awarded to scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun […]
EP patent validation in Laos
Following the Validation Agreement signed between the Laos Department of Intellectual Property (‘DIP’) and the European Patent Office (‘EPO’), European patent holders can now extend their patent protection to Laos without the need for a separate national application, effective 1 April 2025. This makes Laos the sixth country worldwide, and the second in Southeast Asia […]
Exploring the New Patent Playbook: Establishing a prima facie case before the issuance of a Notice for Pre-Grant Oppositions
Introduction In India Patent Application No. 202417006578, the Assistant Controller of Patents & Designs, issued an order in the context of a Pre-grant Opposition (‘PGO’) against Pharmazz Inc.’s said patent application. This decision is particularly notable as it represents the first application of a new rule requiring the establishment of a prima facie case before […]
India- Preserving Celebrity Rights Through Intellectual Property Rights
WHAT ARE CELEBRITY RIGHTS? The term ‘celebrity’ is often seen as a mark of honor and success. While athletes, artists, and businesspeople earn it through talent or charisma, royals inherit it by birth or marriage. Others may gain fame unexpectedly through public or media attention. When celebrities protect their personality rights, two key aspects arise:– […]
Key Cases That Have Shaped IP Protection in Malaysia’s Fashion Industry
Several notable cases in Malaysia have significantly influenced the protection of intellectual property within the country’s fashion industry. Trade Mark In 2019, the High Court of Kuala Lumpur (“Court”) saw a heated trademark battle between fashion powerhouse 30 Maple Sdn Bhd (‘Plaintiff”) and individual seller Siti Safiyyah binti Mohd Firdaus Chew (“Defendant’). At the heart […]
Geographical indications in Malaysia: Recent developments and progress
A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products with a specific geographical origin and possesses qualities, reputation, or characteristics attributable to such origin. In Malaysia, the protection of GIs is governed by the Geographical Indications Act 2022, which came into force on March 18, 2022, repealing the earlier 2000 act. The 2022 act […]
CHANGES IN ONLINE PAYMENT TYPES AND WORKFLOW AT THE REGISTRY
In line with the enactment of Government Regulation No. 45 of 2024 concerning the types and rates of Government Regulations on Non-Tax State Revenue, which took effect from 17 December 2024, the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (“DGIP”) has updated the types and rates of intellectual property services. While the rates for trademark-related matters remain […]
A New Era for Intellectual Property in Myanmar: First Trademark Certificates Granted
Myanmar’s Trademark Law 2019 officially came into force on April 1, 2023, introducing a structured framework for trademark registration and protection. This significant legislation aims to align Myanmar’s intellectual property system with international standards, creating a more robust and reliable legal environment for brand protection. One of the key features of the new law is […]
Domain Protection as an Intellectual Property Right in Indonesia
In Indonesia, domain protection refers to services that protect personal information associated with domain registrations from public access, particularly in WHOIS databases. Domain protection, also known as domain privacy protection or ID protection, is a service that hides the owner’s personal information, such as name, address, phone number and email, from public view. Instead of […]