Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

AAI: RPM should remain a "hardcore restriction"

Comments of the American Antitrust Institute on the European Commission's proposed BER and Guidelines on vertical restraints.

The US Goverment's position on Bilski

A suggestion that software should be left substantially patentable? S. also Groklaw's post.

The Court of First Instance on the distinctive character of a mark

Smiley: decorative function, not a distinctive sign, Case T‑139/08, The Smiley Company SPRL v Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Neelie Kroes on issues round EU state aid control system

Speech held at the 36th Annual Conference on International Antitrust Law and Policy , Fordham University

Friday, September 25, 2009

Google Book Settlement:Amendment Ahead

See MOTION for Hearing / Notice of Unopposed Motion of the Author Sub-Class and the Publisher Sub-Class to Adjourn October 7, 2009 Final Fairness Hearing and Schedule Status Conference (new deadline: November, 9).

Monday, September 21, 2009

Salame Felino and the European Court of Justice

Case C‑446/07 Alberto Severi, in his own name and representing Cavazzuti e figli SpA, now known as Grandi Salumifici Italiani SpA v Regione Emilia-Romagna. From the decision: " Articles 3(1) and 13(3) ... must be interpreted as meaning that the designation of a foodstuff containing geographical references, which is not registered as a protected designation of origin or a protected geographical indication, may legitimately be used, on condition that the labelling of the product so named does not mislead the average reasonably well informed, observant and circumspect consumer. For the purpose of assessing whether that is the case, national courts may have regard to the length of time during which the name has been used. By contrast, any good faith on the part of the manufacturer or retailer is irrelevant in that regard"

EU Intel Decision now Published

Prohibition decision (517 pp.) and decision summary.

Google Book Settlement: Department of Justice's Statement of Interest

The Department of Justice has expressed serious legal concerns. A comment by Randy Picker.

Monday, September 14, 2009

China and Competition Policy

AAI Working Paper by Wu Hanhong

Die volkswirtschaftliche Bedeutung geistigen Eigentums und dessen Schutzes mit Fokus auf den Mittelstand

Studie im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaft und Technologie.

SMEs and IP in Switzerland

Economic Focus Study and Case Studies by the Swiss Federal Institute of IP.

UK horseracing: collective negotiation and licensing of media rights not anticompetitive

Court of Appeal's judgment.

Spanish Copyright Collecting Society Fined for Abuse of Dominant Position

The remuneration scheme was deemed abusive because, inter alia, general fees were simply calculated as a percentage of the Telecinco's revenues. See also the ECJ Kanal 5 case.

Pressefusionskontrolle: Anwendung der Abwägungsklausel

Aus der Pressemeldung des Bundeskartellamtes: "Nach Auffassung des Bundeskartellamtes überwiegen die durch den Zusammenschluss entstehenden Verbesserungen der Marktstruktur auf dem Lesermarkt im Verbreitungsgebiet der Elmshorner Nachrichten die mögliche Verschlechterung auf den Anzeigen- und Lesermärkten im Kreis Steinburg".

Wednesday, September 02, 2009