Franks and Co news

Global Manufacturing Festival Sheffield March 21-22, 2012

Robert Franks — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:36:14 +0000

Franks & Co will be attending the Global Manufacturing Festival at the City Hall, Sheffield. It looks to be a great event with over 1,000 people expected. Obviously we can't see everyone, so if you wish to meet us in person, please email Vanda Pichova (vanda.pic

International Design Registrations under the Hague System

Robert Franks — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:42:01 +0000

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) reports increased use of its Hague international registered design system during 2011.

Swiss Set Up New European Patent Court

Robert Franks — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:40:29 +0000

According to the online Swiss Info, Switzerland is setting up a new federal Patent Court, which will be the only Court in Europe to operate in all three of the European Patent Convention languages of English, German and French. The Court will also operate in Italian. The language of proceeding will

UK Life Science Boost

Robert Franks — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:03:05 +0000

Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a package of support for the UK’s leading life science companies and academia to enable them to move more quickly from discovery to commercialisation.

The new three-year programme will see the Technology Strategy Board receive additional fundi

Putin, Medvedev and Wodka Trade Marks

Robert Franks — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:55:18 +0000

In Russia a company tried to register a wodka trademark, namely "Volodya i Medvedi".

However, Volodya is a synonym for Vladimir (Putin's first name) and Medvedi contains the same word stem as Medvedev.

WIPO Notification No. 215 Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization Accession by the Republic of Vanuatu

Robert Franks — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:53:37 +0000

The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) presents his compliments to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and has the honour to notify the deposit by the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu, on December 2, 2011, of its instrument of accession to the Convention Establishing the W

How Much is a Patent Worth

Robert Franks — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:54:10 +0100

A consortium of 6 companies has acquired the Nortel patent portfolio which spans a range of wireless telecommunications and internet technology for a cost of $4.5bn.

The successful consortium is made up of Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, Research in Motion and Sony. The consortium appears to have purchas

America Invents Act

Robert Franks — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:21:10 +0100

The America Invents Act was signed into law on Friday September 16, 2011. This legislation contains some very significant changes to US Patent and

Rwanda Joins the Patent Cooperation Treaty

Robert Franks — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:34:23 +0100

Rwanda (RW) became the 144th PCT Contracting State on 31 May 2011. The PCT will enter into force for that State on 31 August 2011.

Italy and Spain in Court Bid to Stop EU Patent

Robert Franks — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:36:08 +0100

At the moment in Europe, patents are granted according to the European Patent Convention. The European Patent Convention is an international treaty, although many member states are also members of the European Union.

15th Anniversary of Franks & Co

Robert Franks — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:57:55 +0100

Franks & Co are celebrating our 15th anniversary.

The firm started on May 29, 1996 from a single room in the Sheffield Technology Park, in the industrial heartland of England.

Change in Italian Trade Marks Practice

Robert Franks — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:52:19 +0100

Italy has now implemented a trade mark opposition procedure by virtue of a Decree of Law enacted by the Ministry of Economic Development on May 11, 2011.

All Italian national trade mark applications filed as of May 01, 2011, and all international trade mark registrations published from first issue of the WIPO Bulletin

Franks & Co Support CoppaFeel!

Robert Franks — Fri, 27 May 2011 10:31:25 +0100

Our Northampton office has been pleased to help Northampton based charity CoppaFeel! register their trade mark.

CoppaFeel! is a breast cancer awareness charity set up by Kristin Hallenga who in February 2009 at the age of just 23 was diagnosed with breast cancer.

International Patent Applications Recover From Economic Crisis - News from WIPO

Robert Franks — Mon, 23 May 2011 15:22:37 +0100

International patent filings under WIPO's Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) increased by 4.8% in 2010, with strong growth from China (+56.2%), the Republic of Korea (+20.5%), and Japan (+7.9%), offsetting a mixed performance in European countries and a continued decline in the United States (-1.7%).

International Patent Applications to Include Qatar

Robert Franks — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:17:35 +0100

Qatar (QA) became the 143rd PCT (Patent Co-operation Treaty) Contracting State on 3 May 2011. The PCT will enter into force for that State on 3 August 2011.

Le Qatar (QA) est devenu le 143e État contractant du PCT le 3 mai 2011.