Utility, selection patents and sound prediction were key issues identified in an analysis of the cases cited in the 132 IP decisions released in 2011 by the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal. The most cited cases related to standard of review, and from the Supreme Court, the 2008 Sanofi decision, Whirlpool, Consolboard and Wellcome.
Copyright updates
The European Court of Justice released a decision last week in SABAM vs Netlog (C-360/10) denying a request that a social network site install general filters against the exchange of copyrighted music and videos. In Canadian copyright news, Bill C-11, the copyright amendment Bill went to committee with a schedule to review the bill by the end of March.
SCC decisions
The Supreme Court of Canada has released a couple of decisions of interest – Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. v.Canada (Health), 2012 SCC 3 relating to trade secrets and access to information of Health Canada drug submissions and Reference re Broadcasting Act, 2012 SCC 4 which determined that Internet Service Providers were not ‘broadcasters’ under the Broadcasting Act.
SCC adjourns Sildenafil hearing
The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing in the appeal of the sildenafil PM(NOC) application on the sufficiency of disclosure. The hearing had been scheduled for tomorrow but is now tentatively scheduled for April 20, 2012.
Eurocopter v. Bell Helicopter trial decision
The Federal Court released a decision earlier this week after the trial in the patent infringement action Eurocopter v. Bell Helicopter, 2012 FC 113 finding a claim of the patent valid and infringed. The Court also awarded punitive damages. Continue reading Eurocopter v. Bell Helicopter trial decision
Provincial IP decisions – trade secrets and descriptiveness
From the Ontario Court, in Paradigm Shift Technologies Inc. v. Alexander Oudovikine, 2012 ONSC 148, the court rejected a motion for an interlocutory injunction on alleged trade secrets held by an ex-employee. In Boulangerie St-Méthode v. Boulangerie Canada Bread, 2012 QCCS 83, the Quebec Court considered distinctiveness and descriptiveness of the mark « sans gras sans sucre » for bread.
CAFC on computer claims in DealerTrack
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit released a decision today in DealerTrack v. Huber on the patentability of computer claims. It held that claims “for executing a computer program” were means-plus-function limited to the algorithms in the specification and “computer aided” limitations did not render claims patentable subject matter.
ONCA recognizes tort of invasion of privacy
In a decision released today, Jones v. Tsige, 2012 ONCA 32, the Ontario Court of Appeal recognized the existence of a cause of action for intrusion upon seclusion under the common law.
Continue reading ONCA recognizes tort of invasion of privacy
USSC issues decision on copyright and public domain
The United States Supreme Court issued a decision today in Golan v. Holder on the constitutionality of measures to apply copyright to certain works not previously covered by copyright. The majority (6-2) held that the measures were constitutional. Continue reading USSC issues decision on copyright and public domain
Amazon.com’s ‘one-click’ patent granted in Canada
As an update to my post earlier this month about the allowance of the patent application, the Amazon.com “one-click” patent has been granted in Canada. The Canadian Patent Office website shows that CA2,246,933 has an issue date of today.