21st August , 2011
Four patent approvals for Suven Life Sciences CNS molecules
Suven Life Sciences has been granted four product patents for its new chemical entities (NCEs), which could be used in the treatment of various central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
The four product patents received by the pharma company, one from Europe, two from Sri Lanka and one from Korea, are valid through 2027, 2025 and 2024, respectively. These molecules could be used in the treatment of CNS disorders like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Schizophrenia and products out of these inventions may be out-licenced at various phases of clinical development.
With these new patents, the company now has a total of 11 patents from Europe, eight patents from Sri Lanka and five patents from Korea.
Apple files for Smart Cover figurative trademark in China
Apple has filed a figurative trademark in China to protect the Smart Cover design under International Classes 9 and 18, which covers things like cases, sleeves and pouches for computers and business cases. This was in response to the launch of a Smart Case for the Samsung Galaxy Tab by some Chinese accessory makers, claiming it was endorsed by Samsung and it looked extremely similar to Apple's Smart Cover for iPad 2. A figurative trademark will protect the shape and appearance of the case, whereas a word trademark would protect the name "Smart Cover" in any font with or without figurative elements.
Samsung has however disclosed that it did not officially endorse the Smart Case accessory. If at all this trademark for the Smart Cover is granted in China, it would allow Apple to issue cease and desist notices to any body attempting to imitate the design of the Smart Cover.
Apple has already applied for trademark for the word "Smart Cover” in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and China and now the company has applied for a trademark of the actual protective cover to restrain imitations.
Kerala cable network sued over ESPN Star Sports content piracy
A cable TV network in Kerala by the name Varnam Cable Network is accused of broadcasting unauthorised feeds of ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket coverage of the England vs. India Test series.
ESPN Software India, the sole and exclusive licensee of the three TV channels in India has filed an FIR against the Konni-based Varnam Cable Network, under the Indian Copyright Act 1957. According to ESPN Software India, Varnam Cable Network has been broadcasting the signals of Star Cricket since 21 July using a personal direct to home (DTH) set top box without authorized agreement or copyright, thus leading to financial loss for the broadcast rights holder.
Monsanto to be sued for bio-piracy over Bt brinjal
Monsanto is all set to be sued over Bt brinjal, India’s first genetically modified food crop, a variety of eggplant. The National Biodiversity Authority of India has accused Monsanto, Mahyco, and collaborators in the project of biopiracy. The NBA claims that the developers of Bt brinjal used local varieties of eggplant in developing the GM crop "without prior approval of the competent authorities. The introduction of Bt brinjal was halted in 2010 on the grounds that more experimentation was needed to prove its safety.
It is likely that the US agricultural giant would be prosecuted for allegedly using at least 10 local varieties of the vegetable without permission, breaching a requirement under the National Biodiversity Act, which gives the country sovereign rights over its biological resources. Bt brinjal was developed in India under a public-private collaboration by seed company Mahyco, with a key gene provided by the agricultural giant Monsanto Co. Karnataka’s University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research and Sathguru Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd were also partners in the project.
A tripartite research and collaboration agreement was signed in 2005 between Mahyco, UAS and Sathguru Pvt. Ltd for the development of varieties of insect tolerant eggplants.
Dehong introduces first geographical indication trademark
The “Dehong Coffee” has been granted a certificate of registration for farm produce geographical indication recently. According to the trademark office of the State Administration of Industry and Commerce, this is the first of its kind in the area. Dehong, also named Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture is a scenic piece of land, which lies In the west of Yunnan Province.
The prefecture association of agricultural science societies own this trademark have a positive role in the development of the local coffee industry in the Province of Yunnan. Dehong is named as “coffee’s hometown of China”.
