WR News - Withers and Rogers

Recent Cases

EPC 2000

December 2007 marked the introduction of a new piece of legislation created by the European Patent Organisation known as EPC 2000. The implications are quite wide ranging and have some beneficial cost and timing implications along with greater flexibility in some instances.
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USPTO publishes significant changes to rules governing patent prosecution

Note in December 2007: In the matter of Tafas v. Dudas, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 80474 (E.D. Va. Oct. 31, 2007), the Virginia based Federal Court granted a temporary injunction preventing the new rules from coming into force. The court is set to hear further arguments in the matter in January 2008 and until such time as the court rules otherwise, the new rules discussed here will not be in effect. The date of 1 November 2007 (marked ‘*’) mentioned below is therefore not the date at which the new rules will come into effect. Furthermore, certain provisions of the new rules will have to be revised in light of the delay such as the transitional provisions.

Unity Of Invention in European Regional Phase Applications

Important change under EPC 2000 - Impact on prosecution strategy for PCT applications
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London Agreement: Major Reduction in European Patent Costs on track for 2008

Last week a bill was passed by the French Senate so that France can now, finally, ratify the London Agreement. It is now expected that the London Agreement will enter into force around Europe in 2008 - perhaps as early as April. We are pleased to report to our clients and professional colleagues that this should lead to a major reduction in European patent costs.
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New Midlands Office Open

The new Midlands office is now open.