News
Knowledge sharing as keyword for optimal service provision
Sharing knowledge is not only the basic principle of the patent system - publishing the invention in exchange for the right to deter others from using it - but has also become an increasingly important driver of IP service provision. Continue reading
New Chairman of V.O.
As of 1 September, Herman Witmans will be the new Chairman of V.O. He is succeeding Cees Jansen. Cees has worked there for 26 years, of which more than 12 years as Chairman. He will remain associated with the organization as an advisor.
The best-known medicine in the world: Aspirin
At the end of the 19th century, a young researcher from Bayer made one the most significant discoveries ever – the painkiller Aspirin. It was valuable for his employer, and also for his father who suffered from rheumatism. It led to a worldwide success! Continue reading
Potentially new opportunities for patents in the United States
In the USA, one of the requirements against which the conclusions of a patent application can be tested is whether it contains a matter that is eligible for patenting. Continue reading
Silver ranking by Financial Times
In the list of Europe's Leading Patent Law Firms 2019, drawn up by the Financial Times, V.O. has been ranked silver in the category Mechanical Engineering. Continue reading
New on Kluwer Patent Blog: Eli Lilly and Company vs. Fresenius Kabi Nederland B.V., Netherlands
The scope of a patent is to be interpreted according to Art. 69 EPC and the Protocol. If the literal text is limiting, the question is how the skilled person would understand this limitation. Continue readingNew on Kluwer Patent Blog: HE Licenties B.V. vs VG Colours B.V., Netherlands
A patent that is limited during the course of the proceedings (even after the pleadings) is held to have been so limited ab initio if the limitation is duly registered. Continue reading
Demand for patent protection continues to grow in Europe
The 2018 annual report of the European Patent Office (EPO) shows a 4.6% increase in the number of European patent applications, reaching 174,000 applications. Continue reading