# RightHub raises $15m to upgrade the infrastructure for protecting innovation

• For the first time, IP owners and professionals are able to use a single platform to do everything they need to protect innovation and ideas. From evaluating ideas and filing applications, to renewing, enforcing and monetising the IP rights!
• Recent reports in the US and EU find industries that use Intellectual Property protection account for over 41% (44% in EU) of GDP and employ 33% of total workforce. In the US alone, IP accounts for over 50% of all US merchandise exports, resulting in almost $842 billion of revenue created 1) 2)
• RightHub has built the first ever collaborative platform for the management and enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) rights aiming at bringing an order of magnitude efficiency improvement over the current tools and processes

**LONDON, United Kingdom (1st March, 2023)** – RightHub, the collaborative IP platform, has closed a seed round of $15m in an oversubscribed round led by London-based firstminute Capital and Switzerland-based Anker Capital with participation from Conviction VC and partners at various law firms as well as successful founders in various industries. RightHub focuses on heavily reducing the burden of manual labor, cost and risk involved in the process of obtaining, managing and enforcing Intellectual Property, while simultaneously bringing transparency and cost certainty to the end customer. The investment will be used to further develop the capabilities of the RightHub platform as well as scaling up the go-to-market team across multiple geographies.

1) [Intellectual Property and the U.S. economy: Third Edition](https://www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/economic-research/intellectual-property-and-us-economy)
2) [High Growth Firms and Intellectual Property Rights](https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponet.nsf/0/F59459A1E64B62F3C12583FC002FBD93/$FILE/high_growth_firms_study_en.pdf)
  
Innovation is the lifeblood of human progress. Every day, everywhere, there are incredible creators inspiring us all by crafting the future of humanity, the planet, and even the universe. To protect these amazing ideas and innovations, IP is a necessary system to reward the hard work and massive investments put in when building products, services, and brands. Sadly, the infrastructure that IP runs on currently does not bring justice to the innovation that flows through it. A huge amount of valuable time and cost in the IP process is taken up by manual, tedious, and cumbersome tasks, exchanging data across the world by emails or letters, and  updating records in point solution applications by endless manual data entries. All this friction is making innovators and IP professionals waste their time, talent, and skills. Significant portions of the IP budgets are being wasted on completely irrelevant activities and reliance on dated platforms and manual labor. RightHub is changing the daily life of creators seeking to protect their ideas and the IP professionals assisting them along the way.

RightHub has built a platform that connects forward-thinking creators and IP professionals everywhere bringing efficiency and peace of mind into the process of obtaining, managing, and enforcing IP. The outcome is a much more rewarding process for everyone involved. The result is more time spent on creating and innovating and less time spent on non-value-adding activities.

For IP owners, RightHub becomes their control center to evaluate innovations and brand ideas, file, renew, change ownership, watch, monitor and enforce everything IP. No switching between multiple products, exporting and importing data between various databases or communicating in risky and unwieldy ways. IP Professionals at law firms are now able to vastly increase efficiency within their IP practices while providing a modern, integrated experience to their clients and adding valuable services that generate new revenue streams with real tangible ROI for clients.

RightHub was founded in 2021 by a team of IP veterans with deep knowledge of the industry and each with over 20 years of experience from building and scaling software and services companies. The RightHub team has vastly complementary experiences ranging from R&D and patents to trademarks and online brand protection which, for the first time ever, brings together the best of all worlds when building an IP platform to solve the problems across all protection types and customer segments including IP owners, IP firms and general practice firms.

RightHub, the collaborative and inclusive platform, is already being used daily by forward-thinking creators and IP professionals in over 2,800 corporates and law firms to register, maintain and enforce IP. RightHub simplifies every aspect of the IP lifecycle and provides support along every step of the process with only a few clicks.

RightHub, with HQ in London, has a team of 75 people across its offices in the UK, US, Denmark, and Sweden. Half the team consists of IP experts while the other half consists of industry-leading technologists focusing on software development and data.

**Toni Nijm, CEO and Co-Founder of RightHub, says:**
>“It is the first time that a platform in our industry emerges with an equal emphasis on all IP types and workflows with a horizontal focus on removing the friction IP professionals experience in their daily practice. IP is, by definition, a network-based industry where communication and collaboration is a daily routine. However, the industry is still operating as if everything is done in isolation. We want to change all of that! I’m hugely excited by what we are building and the value we are creating for the industry. We are a very complementary team sharing the same vision and are determined to take on this big challenge with a world-class team of innovators, entrepreneurs, and IP experts.”

**Arek Wylegalski, Partner at firstminute Capital, comments:**
>“Spending our days searching for the best high-tech companies to support, we have been surprised to learn how little innovation the intellectual property industry itself has seen so far. In that way it is somewhat similar to venture capital - lots of small teams of highly skilled practitioners doing what they have been doing for decades with little change and not a lot of technology. It is a giant opportunity hiding in plain sight.
RightHub wants to put the customer back into the driver’s seat and to equip the IP professionals and industry IP teams with state of the art tools making them more effective in protecting IP globally.
The RightHub team consists of industry veterans who know this sector like no one else. Their vision for RightHub is incredibly exciting and they have the track record to back it up. It should not be this convoluted to protect innovations - and if RightHub succeeds, it will not be. We are proud to have co-led this investment together with Anker Capital.”
RightHub wants to put the customer back into the driver’s seat and to equip the IP professionals and industry IP teams with state of the art tools making them more effective in protecting IP globally.
The RightHub team consists of industry veterans who know this sector like no one else. Their vision for RightHub is incredibly exciting and they have the track record to back it up. It should not be this convoluted to protect innovations - and if RightHub succeeds, it will not be. We are proud to have co-led this investment together with Anker Capital.”

**Jonas Anker, Managing Partner at Anker Capital, comments:**


>“We invest in teams and ideas that have the intention and potential to transform an industry using technology as its core. IP is a fundamental cornerstone in our society but has seen very little innovation over the past century. Backing RightHub ticks all our boxes, and we are very excited to be on this journey with a world- class team to enable the creators of the future”
 
You can read more about RightHub and how we are changing the future of working with Intellectual Property at www.righthub.com.

For further information contact:

Toni Nijm, RightHub Limited

tnijm@righthub.com

Arek Wylegalski, firstminute Capital

arek@firstminute.capital

**Notes to editors**

### About RightHub

RightHub is a London-based company on a mission to upgrade the global infrastructure for protecting innovations. RightHub radically transforms the day-to-day experience of being an IP Professional. Rather than spending a significant amount of time dealing with non-value administrative tasks and jumping between multiple applications, IP Professionals are now able to manage their daily work activities in one single platform that connects them to partners around the globe while integrating relevant data and services into each context and process of the IP lifecycle.

While existing products and services on the market offer a fragmented and disjointed user experience also leading to unpredictable spend both in time and money, RightHub’s horizontal platform is providing both IP owners and IP firms a modern and transparent way of consuming and paying for IP software and services.

Website: www.righthub.com

### About firstminute capital

firstminute Capital is a $315m AUM venture fund, investing in seed stage tech companies. firstminute is sector agnostic and invests across the UK, Europe and the US. Backed by over 120 unicorn founders and founded by Brent Hoberman (founder of lastminute.com, made.com, Founders Forum) and Spencer Crawley (Goldman Sachs, DMC Partners) in 2017, firstminute has invested in over 100 companies.

https://www.firstminute.capital

### About Anker Capital

Anker Capital is a Swiss investment and corporate finance firm investing in platform companies that have the potential to disrupt the global vertical they operate in. Anker Capital has backed companies in LegalTech, MusicTech, 3D printing and Computer Vision and AI.

https://www.anker-capital.ch

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Finally...

## [Who Owns Your ChatGPT Output? ](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/who-owns-your-chatgpt-output-hint-1719793/)
_Published by JD Supra_

With all the buzz lately surrounding ChatGPT the question arises -  who owns the output when you  use it for commercial purposes? Unfortunately, the answer is probably not you. 

## [The American Bar Association (ABA) has requested the Supreme Court Justices to consider a three-part test as the Supreme Court case on extraterritorial trademark disputes intensifies.](https://ipwatchdog.com/2023/02/08/supreme-court-case-extraterritorial-trademark-disputes-heats-aba-asks-justices-consider-three-part-test/id=156302/)
_Published by IPWatchdog_

The American Bar Association (ABA) filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on February 3rd asking the Court to clarify issues related to the application of the Lanham Act to trademark disputes that cross international borders. The brief was filed in the case of Abitron Austria GmbH v. Hetronic International, Inc., a trademark dispute in which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit upheld a $90 million damage award for trademark infringement that largely took place outside of the United States.

## [Breaking News - Hermès Makes History With First NFT Trademark Trial Victory](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/breaking-news-hermes-makes-history-with-2418279/)
_Published by JD Supra_

A jury in New York City has ruled in favor of luxury fashion house Hermès in its historic trademark dispute against digital artist Mason Rothschild, relating to the brand's famous Birkin handbag. The verdict resulted in Hermès being awarded a total of $133,000 in damages for trademark infringement, dilution, and cybersquatting.

## [Lizzo Granted Trademark for '100% THAT Bitch' in Reversal After Application Was Rejected](https://people.com/music/lizzo-granted-trademark-100-percent-that-bitch-reversal-after-application-rejected/)
_Published by People_

Lizzo has received a federal trademark for "100% THAT Bitch," the well-known lyric from her 2017 single "Truth Hurts," after her previous application was denied last year.

## [Is it possible for any commonly known brand with stripes to assert trademark infringement on all striped logos? Adidas v. Thom Browne Says No](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/can-a-ubiquitous-brand-with-stripes-8384627/)
_Published by JDSupra_

Adidas recently lost its highly publicized trademark infringement lawsuit against luxury fashion brand Thom Browne, stemming from Thom Browne's use of a four-stripe logo design resembling Adidas' famous three-stripe logo, in use since the 1950s.

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This Week In Review: Week 6

### MarqVision Survey about counterfeiting says that almost 70% of DTC brands have issues
Originally published by IPWatchdog

MarqVision surveyed 295 brands, and found out that around 68% of direct-to-customer brands have had their products stolen. Apparently, almost 30% of the brands surveyed do not have a documented strategy against counterfeiting. The biggest loss is said to be the loss of brand reputation.

You can read the whole article [here](https://ipwatchdog.com/2023/02/16/report-finds-respondents-products-counterfeited-online/id=156785/).

### Audiobook narrators are concerned about the possibility that Apple has used their voices to train artificial intelligence for Audiobooks
Originally published by Wired

Apple has substituted human narrators with AI voices for some audiobooks on its platform, which resulted in frustration among narrators who were not notified about the change and fear for their jobs. Additionally, Spotify has recently updated its terms of service to permit the usage of AI to reproduce users' voices for some features, sparking concern about potential privacy violations.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-spotify-audiobook-narrators-ai-contract/).


### Meta Platforms Sued Yet Again
Originally published by Entrepreneur

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram is being sued by MetaX LLC, a virtual reality business. One trademark attorney commented no the story, stating that MetaX might have a chance of winning. Founder of MetaX Justin 'JB' Bolognino is said to not want to settle.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/metax-wants-its-name-back-and-its-suing-facebook-to-get-it/443093).


### Getty Images has sued an AI art generator
Originally published by The Verge.

Getty images has filed a lawsuit against Stability AI, the creators of Stable Diffusion AI image-generation system. Getty Images claims that  around 12 million of their images were unlawfully used to train the artificial intelligence model. It is strongly suggested by evidence that Stability AI utilised Getty Images material without permission or compensation.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/6/23587393/ai-art-copyright-lawsuit-getty-images-stable-diffusion).


### Sanofi and Regeneron's gains support from several pharmaceutical companies
Originally published by Fierce Pharma

Several large pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Eli Lilly have shown support towardsSanofi and Regeneron's cholesterol drug, Praluent. The drug had been having difficulties gaining widespread use due to its high costs and regulatory barriers.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/big-pharmas-face-after-pfizer-az-lilly-and-more-back-sanofi-and-regenerons-cholesterol-drug).

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This Week In Review: Week 7

Hanns Hallesius is a Senior Advisor, Search, Interim & Management Consultant, who has worked as an attorney both in-house and in private practice. 

We sat down with him to talk about the industry, including his focus on creating overlap between IP knowledge and other business competences to enable smart, strategic choices, and the services he provides in strategy, operations, and leadership. 

 
### RH – Tell us a little about what you do Hanns. 

HH – What I focus on is about creating the overlap between in depth IP knowledge and other critical business competences so that people in various functions can understand one another and work together. I have seen far too many situations where someone with a strong IP understanding but maybe limited business understanding and someone with a limited IP understanding but a strong business understanding are discussing something that is business critical but they don't understand one another. When this happens you can't do anything that is strategically right. Things happen too much by chance. Only when you enable the two parties, IP and business to have a common understanding and a common language can you begin to make smart, intelligent and truly strategic choices.   

### RH – What makes you qualified for this? 

HH, - I have always been a generalist. When I was in private practice while my colleagues were studying for EQEs, I was in a management position doing an MBA. I have always sought roles where I could combine my generalist profile and IP knowledges to work for broader strategic purposes. 

I have also spent a number of years leading the global IP function of a Multi-National Company, where these challenges are a key part of the role. 

### RH – You serve what types of clients? 

HH – To put it short, IP specialists/attorneys aiming to understand business better and businesspeople looking to understand IP. The clients are typically companies, ranging from small to large and with or without an internal IP function. But I also serve IP law firms and other IP service providers as well as investors. 

I typically provide services in three areas:  strategy, operations, and leadership. The first is mainly about developing and implementing IP strategy. Operations are in principle about finding the right tools and processes for the organisation and to secure that they are managed efficiently. Leadership is all about people and organisation, as well as IP culture. This typically also includes IP training. 

### RH- Tell me more about the training, how do you deliver it? 

HH – In different ways according to the participants. You can bring both IP and businesspeople together in a strategy game where IP is just a part of a business strategy discussion. Then you have learnings on both ends. Sitting down like this you can identify and work through the problems. 

In addition to workshops/hands-on training I partner with a provider of an E-learning platform that provides bitesize interactive modules that people can work through. It is very important to fit the training to the organisation, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. 

### RH – What trends in IP are you noticing? 

HH- 20 years ago I hardly ever saw anyone calling themselves an IP strategist - whatever that is. Today more and more people use this title and think it says something about what they're delivering, and I think that's a positive thing.  We’re living in a complex world and there's a lot of talk about technology developments and digitalisation opportunities. What I am focused on is trying to help companies truly integrate IP better with the IP business strategy. 

### RH – Currently you are a sole practitioner, any plans to scale up the business? 

HH – Although I am a sole practitioner presently, I cooperate with other people on larger projects. This business is still in an exploratory mode at the moment and I'm still testing stuff. But, I don't picture myself running a one man show for long term future, but then again, I enjoy flying solo right now. 

RH- Many thanks Hanns. 

Community-Spotlight-Hanns.png

Community Spotlight: Hanns Hallesius

### Piracy Epidemic: 18% Increase in Stolen Content Worldwide in 2022
Originally posted by Variety

A new report by the Variety Intelligence Platform has found that global content piracy increased by 18% in 2022, with the entertainment industry being hit particularly hard. The report also states that the pandemic has made it easier for pirates to distribute stolen content online, and that many consumers are turning to piracy due to rising subscription costs. Asia and Latin America saw the largest increases in piracy, while the US and Europe also saw significant rises. The report suggests that the industry needs to find new ways to combat piracy, such as offering more affordable subscription options, improving content protection, and collaborating with governments to crack down on pirate sites.

You can read the whole article [here](https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/global-content-piracy-soared-18-in-2022-1235519773/).

### Metaverse Patent Wars
Originally posted by IAM

IAM published an article that discusses the patent landscape in the emerging field of the metaverse, which refers to a virtual world that people can enter and interact with using digital technology. The report analyzes the patent portfolios of various companies, including tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, as well as smaller startups. According to the report, Facebook currently has the most metaverse-related patents, followed by Microsoft and Tencent. The article notes that the metaverse is still in its early stages, and the companies that are able to establish a dominant presence in the market could potentially reap significant rewards.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.iam-media.com/article/metaverse-who-leading-the-patent-race).

### Ukraine's Future Looks Bright According to New Report on Foreign Companies' IP Registrations
Originally posted by IPWatchdog

A new report suggests that the number of intellectual property (IP) registrations by foreign companies in Ukraine may be an indicator of confidence in the country's future. The report found that the number of IP registrations in Ukraine by foreign companies increased by 15% between 2018 and 2021, which is seen as a promising sign for the country's economy and development.

You can read the whole article [here](https://ipwatchdog.com/2023/02/18/looking-ip-register-predict-foreign-companies-confidence-ukraine-future/id=156844/).

### China's IP Protection May Be Better Than People Think
Originally posted by CHEManager

An article published by CHEManager discusses China's efforts to improve its intellectual property (IP) protection system, which has long been a concern for foreign companies doing business in the country. According to the article, China has taken a number of steps in recent years to strengthen its IP laws and enforcement mechanisms, including the creation of specialised IP courts. Several statistics suggest that IP protection in China has improved, but some challenges still remain, particularly in terms of enforcing IP rights at the local level. Despite this, the situation for IP protection in China may be better than many people think.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.chemanager-online.com/en/news/intellectual-property-protection-china-better-many-think).

### Eminem files trademark suit against “Real Housewives” stars over 'Reasonably Shady' podcast name
Originally posted by Billboard

In a move that has caught many by surprise, Eminem's legal team has taken action to block Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon, stars of The Real Housewives of Potomac, from securing a federal trademark registration on their hit podcast, "Reasonably Shady". The rapper's lawyers have argued that the name is too similar to Eminem's longstanding nickname "Slim Shady", which has been associated with his dark, violent alter ego for decades. They claim that the overlap between the names could cause consumer confusion and imply that Eminem was somehow involved with the podcast, which could harm his brand and reputation.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.billboard.com/pro/eminem-sues-real-housewives-drake-deposition-drama/).

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This Week In Review: Week 8

## Meet our Chief Revenue Officer, Adam Wylie

In this interview, we sit down with our CRO, Adam, a seasoned expert in the Intellectual Property (IP) industry.

We discuss the slow adoption of technology in the field and the potential for AI to revolutionize administrative tasks, and the opportunities that RightHub offers. He offers insights into the future of IP management, with a focus on data sharing and the need for a shared standard across patent, trademark, and registered rights’ data. 

Finally, we also delve into Adam's background and how they became a leader in the field of IP, as well as his personal interests.

### Can you just briefly tell me about your background in IP and how you got there?  
 

AW: My first professional career was in sales in telecoms, and quite by chance, I fell across the world of IP. A friend of mine, with a non-IP background, was a serial entrepreneur. One day he said “I need someone to work remotely for me. I'm about to get into IP and start up an IP practice with a patent attorney friend of mine. Would you like to come on board?” So, I spent three and a half years with them driving up and down the UK, talking to corporates, university tech transfer departments and law firms. 

The big idea then was fixed price filings. We'd assess each part of the patent lifecycle and then offer a fixed price for it. That was revolutionary at the time. The US now is mainly on fixed fees. We tried to get it to a subscription basis, which is essentially where we've assessed the portfolio and said for X, we will charge you Y per year. That was coming in as I then left. 

I then had the opportunity to start up the part of a company that bought a piece of patent budgeting software from the patent attorney who created it and redevelop it. We started selling that to some very big corporate IP departments and we would ask them, ‘what are your costs’ so we can get your particular costs into the forecasting software to make it more accurate. One of the biggest costs was renewals. So, we thought, well, let's partner up with a renewals company and offer renewals as well. So that's how I got into the renewals, and then the IPMS business. 

We sold that company to CPA in 2014. I went off and did patent analytics for a few years, which was interesting. But I stayed in touch with the people at CPA, so Jon-James and Toni in particular, and we sat down together and made RightHub, and here we are now. 



### How do you see the IP industry moving forward?

 
AW: I think if I walked into a law firm or a corporate IP department - and I've been involved in IP for over 20 years now, - it would look very much the same as it did when I started. The working practices and the technology is pretty much the same. For an industry that protects innovation we've sometimes been slow embracing new technology, so I think that is going to change in a number of ways. And hopefully RightHub is going to be at the front of it.

If you look particularly at AI - it is massive at the moment. We've chatGPT and that is sort of the first mainstream mass market large language model, and people are already using it for marketing. Lawyers are looking at AI very, very hard at it to automate some of their tasks. 

And from a patent side of things, it's interesting because large language models like chatGPT train on publicly available data. And this stuff is in the public domain. It is by definition not novel, so it can't pertain to patent specifications. I think some smart lawyers are going to embrace AI, natural language processing and large language models, but organise it more to do with the structure of a patent. 

Patents have a defined structure in terms of abstract, description, claims, drawings, etc. So, I think they're going to start to automate a lot of those processes and hopefully get rid of some of the tedious stuff that they have to think about. 

I don't think AI is going to replace patent attorneys or trademark attorneys, but I think it's going to augment them. If they can train it the right way, I see it bringing a massive amount of efficiency to the time that lawyers have to spend on drafting, preparing documents, making sure that everything hangs together correctly. I think that change is coming, and I think the industry is going to have to embrace it. 


>I also think the industry is going to have to embrace the technology that RightHub is providing, which is essentially a horizontal platform in a vertical market, making it easier for people to plug in and essentially move data around more efficiently. Because, as you know, patents, trademarks and registered IP rights generate a huge amount of data. And the way the data is handled at the moment is very inefficient. I think anyone who can provide a solution that automates a lot of the tedious stuff is going to be on a winner. And I see that changing the industry. 

I think there'll be greater efficiency brought to the administrative stuff. I mean, it's already happening in general with contract management. You'll also see PTO’s being forced to come online in terms of the way they provide data. The more advanced offices already have APIs. I think that will grow as the market demands more efficient transfer of data. 

I think the industry is also going to change in terms of payments. The way we as an industry move money around across borders internationally is  vastly inefficient. Look at foreign exchange charges. There's been a massive fintech revolution generally in the world. If you look at retail banking, for example, it's very different now to how it was. The amount of products that the consumer can take are very different from what they were five years ago. And I think the IP industry will embrace some of those changes as well. 

 
### What do you see as the top three challenges of IP management? 


AW: People is a massive problem. The strength of an organisation is really only as good as the people, and the skill set and mindset of the people who work in IP is quite unique. We in the west are facing shrinking populations, populations that are typically not now buying into traditional office jobs. So, I think the industry needs to work hard to make it attractive working in IP because it already has the skills shortage and I think it's probably going to get worse rather than better. 

For the next one I would say processes, as I alluded to before, there’s a massive amount of inefficiency. So how do we manage things more effectively? 

And then short term, I think there will be huge pressure on budgets. Large parts of the world are not thriving economically right now. I think there's going to be pressure, particularly from corporates to trim IP budgets. So, the question is how IP departments respond to that. 

 
### How do you see the future of IP management, specifically with focus on data sharing in the IP industry?  
 

AW: Well, I think it's going to improve because it's inefficient right now. It is going to take some kind of standardisation of data to improve. 

The large problem that people are grasping within the industry right now is that data structures are different from office-to-office. The terminology is different. If we can work towards a shared standard across patent, trademark and registered rights’ data, then I think that's going to become much more efficient. 


### The last question for from me is, what is your guilty pleasure? 
 

Well, I'm not guilty about any of my pleasures! I have two dogs, and I walk the dogs long distances out in the beautiful countryside in Yorkshire. Secondly, I ride a motorcycle. I like to ride out on some of the great roads around here. Others tell me that I am a very good cook, so I cook for my family and friends. I enjoy cooking, sharing my love. 

And then finally, I've always been very interested in art. Particularly the stuff you find in galleries and museums - paintings, drawings, sculpture, film to certain degree, photography too. Sometimes I go to an art exhibition or good museums and stand in front of a picture, and I'll just look at it for an hour or so. 

When I go to the Prado, my favourite museum in Madrid, possibly the world I'll look seriously at seven or eight paintings in the 3+ hours I'm there,  it's just overload otherwise. I tend to read a lot about art, because like anything, the more you put into it, the more you get out. You understand more of what the artist is doing, the provenance, the ‘fit’ within the canon. You understand where they've come from, you understand what they’re building upon. So that's the major interest outside of work.

To hear more about our products you can book a meeting with Adam or any of our experts [here](https://www.righthub.com/contact?expertise=Patent,Trademark,Design).

Adam MTT.jpg

Meet our CRO, Adam Wylie

On March 2nd, we will be hosting 14 highly esteemed IP experts for our first-ever Networking and Interview event. These experts are among the best and brightest in their respective fields, and we feel incredibly lucky to have them share their insights and experiences with our audience.  

Their areas of expertise are vast and varied withing patent law and trademark law. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience that they will be sharing with us, and we are eager to learn from them. 

Here is the entire list of our participants, with some of their background and experience: 

## Pinsent Masons 

### Florian Traub 

Partner, Pinsent Masons Brand Protection and Creative Rights Team 

One of our guests is Florian Traub, a lawyer with over a decade of experience in the legal industry and broad background in many areas of law practice. We know Florian as a dedicated and hardworking professional who approaches every task with reliability and enthusiasm. His commitment to achieving the best possible results for his clients has earned him a well-deserved reputation for excellence within the legal community.  

Florian is skilled in worldwide trade mark and design clearance, filing and prosecution, brand exploitation and commercialisation, and advice on infringement matters as part of the broader IP team. 

At Pinsent Masons, Florian acts on behalf of clients before the EU Intellectual Property Office, the International Bureau of WIPO and the national offices in the UK, Ireland and Germany.  

 

### Tom Nener 

Partner, Pinsent Masons Brand Protection and Creative Rights Team 

Tom Nener leads the Brand Protection and Creative Rights team with Florian Traub. 

He is an IP litigator by background and advises clients on brand protection strategy and disputes across a number of different sectors but with particular focus on sport, retail, wellbeing and consumer goods. He is consistently recognised and ranked in Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, IP stars and WTR 1000. 

He is also a frequent speaker at conferences and has authored numerous legal publications. We look forward to speaking to Tom about his insights and views. 

 

### Katy Bourne 

Senior Associate, Pinsent Masons Brand Protection and Creative Rights Team 

Katy Bourne is a skilled lawyer specializing in intellectual property. At Pinsent Masons she is advising clients on the protection, enforcement, and defence of their IP rights worldwide. 

As a member of the Brand Protection and Creative Rights team at Pinsent Masons, Katy advises clients in various sectors on all aspects of IP rights throughout the lifecycle of a brand. In addition she provides advertising copy clearance services and advises on influencer advertising. Katy also has a keen interest in the metaverse and the diversified industrial sector. 

Her specialisms include brand protection; therefore, we are delighted to have her at our event and to have the chance to hear her thoughts about brand protection, infringements and reputational damage. 

 

## Aera 

### Nicka Kirstejn 

Managing Partner 

Nicka Kirstejn has extensive experience in patent prosecution and strategy, having worked with companies of all sizes, academic institutions, and spin-outs to multinationals. Clients appreciate his pragmatic commercial approach, along with his experience of IP management. 

Nicka's management interest prompted him to become the CEO of one of Europe's largest IP firms in 2012 before establishing Aera in early 2018. His clients value his unwavering commitment to addressing intricate technical and legal matters before the EPO, during prosecution and opposition proceedings. 

Having a background not only as an Attorney but also as a Molecular Biologist we definitely expect to have an engaging conversation with Nicka in London. 

 

### Simon Lotze 

Attorney-at-law 

Our other guest from Aera, Simon Lotze, is an expert Attorney-at-law, with a specialized focus on IP, including designs, trademarks, copyright, and marketing practices. 

With his vast experience in intellectual property, Simon is well-equipped to give insights on all parts of design protection and enforcement. Through his collaborations with multiple renowned designers and artists, he has obtained an extensive understanding of the intricacies surrounding design protection. 

As Simon has comprehensive knowledge of IP, especially online infringements and enforcement, we are incredibly delighted to be able to host him at our event. 

 

## Brækhus 

### Julius Berg Kaasin 

Associate Partner and Head of IP 

Another excellent IP lawyer with expertise in trademarks, copyrights, patents, and designs is Julius Berg Kaasin. He also specializes in unfair competition law, trade secrets law, and technology law. 

At Brækhus, Julius assists clients in the media, energy, FMCG, and pharmaceutical industries. He provides guidance on the establishment, enforcement, and commercialization of IP rights, complex contract negotiations, IP strategies, and purchase and sale of technology companies. 

We are especially grateful to have him at our event as he is a Board Member of several IP-related organizations and a popular speaker in his areas of expertise. As the Editor of the IP blog IP-trollet and a popular lecturer we are sure that he will have a lot of influential ideas to share. 

  

 

## Lundgrens 

### Nina Ringen 

Attorney-at-law, Partner 

Nina Ringen is the Head of Lundgrens’ Intellectual Property & Life Science department. She is an accomplished professional, advising both Danish and international businesses on matters concerning the enforcement and commercialization of IP rights. 

She is specialised in helping businesses establish and maintain portfolios of IP rights, especially trademarks and designs, and preparation of IP risk management programs. She also provides legal guidance on IP issues when companies undergo mergers and acquisitions. 

Nina is an active writer for World Trademark Review, and she also contributes to The Trademark Reporter's Annual Review. Additionally, she is a member of INTA's Anticounterfeiting Committee, therefore we can’t wait to hear her thoughts on these matters. 

 

### Søren Danelund Reipurth 

Attorney-at-law, Partner 

Søren Danelund Reipurth, a partner at Lundgrens’ IP & Life Science department, is a highly experienced Attorney in the field of intellectual property, who is entitled to appear before the Danish Supreme Court. 

With over 17 years of experience, Søren has litigated several key IP court cases at the Danish Maritime and Commercial High Court, the Danish High Courts, and the Danish Supreme Court. His specialties are trademarks, designs, domain names, intellectual property rights, and marketing law. Additionally, Søren advises on IP issues related to heavy transactions. 

Søren has previously done lectures and has authored the ‘Denmark’ chapter of the Trademarks Law Review, among many other publications, so we are confident that he will be a valuable interviewee. 

 

## Kanter 

### Linus Stiller 

Associate 

Linus Stiller is a Stockholm-based Associate working with KANTER Advokatbyrå’s Intellectual Property/IT and Dispute Resolution practices. He has extensive experience from advising clients in matters relating to different areas of intellectual property law in particular the management of large trademark portfolios, infringement issues and commercial contracts as well as processing of personal data. He works with a wide variety of clients ranging from small to large businesses with a focus on the fashion industry. Linus also assists the firm’s Corporate/M&A team with intellectual property and data protection questions. 
 
Linus graduated from Stockholm University in 2018 with a LL.M degree and joined KANTER Advokatbyrå the same year.

### Alexander Yeibio 

Senior Associate 

Alexander Yeibio is a Stockholm-based Senior Associate working with KANTER Advokatbyrå’s Intellectual Property/IT and Corporate/M&A practices. He has extensive experience from advising clients in various intellectual property and technology related matters, such as a wide range of commercial contracts (pertaining to intellectual property and technology), data protection, transactions, as well as applying registration for, managing and enforcing brands for global use.
 
In addition to his LL.M. degree from Stockholm University, Alexander holds a Postgraduate Certificate from Queen Mary University of London. He joined KANTER Advokatbyrå in 2021, and has previous experience from another Stockholm-based law firm as well as in-house counsel role. 

## GN 

### Maria Dam Jørgensen 

Senior Group Legal Counsel, Trademarks 

Another Attorney with over 10 years of experience in intellectual property is Maria Dam Jørgensen, a part of GN Group since 2021. Her specialty is trademarks, as she is leading the trademarks division of the GN Group, which includes GN Hearing, GN Audio and FalCom. 

At GN she is primarily responsible for developing and implementing global trademark strategies to ensure strong trademark protection and operational freedom for business growth and expansion. 

Her broad experience further includes ensuring strong brand development and protection, and she provides guidance on marketing-related matters such as name development, campaign and launch materials, ESG, and sustainability, working closely with GN’s Marketing team. 

We are excited to have someone with such broad experience on our guest list, and we are looking forward to hearing her ideas. 

 

### Christina Andrea Johannesen 

Senior Group Legal Counsel, Intellectual Property Rights 

We are very delighted to have someone like Christina Andrea Johannesen participating in our event, as she is a highly skilled Attorney-at-law, who has been working in law since 1993. She has been strengthening the GN team since 2019. 

Christina's main area of focus is providing legal support to clients, with an emphasis on intellectual property law. Through her proficiency in drafting and negotiating contracts, she has been instrumental in helping businesses achieve their objectives while mitigating potential risks. 

She is well-versed in dispute and litigation management in the Danish courts, having successfully resolved many cases for her clients. We are confident that Christina will share plenty of interesting and insightful IP knowledge with us. 

 

## Hansson Thyresson 

 

### Maria Foskolos 

Attorney-at-law, Partner 

Maria Foskolos is an experienced Attorney-at-law at Hansson Thyresson. Her specialties are trademark issues for companies with international presence. 

She has been working at Hansson Thyresson since 2004, strengthening the team with her expertise. As a specialist in trademark and marketing law, Maria is a member of various professional organizations including SPOF, FICPI, and SFIR/AIPPI. She is an authorized IP Attorney and is highly knowledgeable in trademark strategies and marketing law, so we are very thrilled to have her as our guest. 

 

## Blake Morgan 

### Ben Evans 

Legal Director & Trade Mark Attorney 

We are very excited to have Ben Evans from Blake Morgan as one of our guests. As a highly experienced dual-qualified Solicitor and Trade Mark Attorney he is definitely going to be able to share some knowledge about intellectual property, trade mark clearance and brand strategy. 

Ben is a social media specialist and has been sought after for his reputation management advice, especially where disputes involve SoMe.  

His significant experience in advising clients on trade mark prosecutions, oppositions, and cancellation proceedings established him as an expert on intellectual property.

For future news about the event [follow the official RightHub LinkedIn page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/righthubltd/) or [join the RightHub Community](https://www.righthub.com/signup) free of charge.

event attendees blog cover.png

Here are the participants for our Networking & Interview event

As the intellectual property industry continues to grow and evolve, it's important to stay connected with the latest developments and trends. RightHub is committed to fostering a dynamic and collaborative learning environment for IP professionals, and we're excited to announce our very first Networking & Interview event on March 2nd in London. 

At RightHub we collaborate with skilled and committed professionals who are enthusiastic about advancing their knowledge and driving innovation.  We've invited some of the most brilliant legal minds in the industry to join us for a comprehensive day of: 

- Interviews, where we discuss the current issues, innovations, changes and opportunities in the intellectual property industry 
- Networking, where attendees have the opportunity to talk with other experts in the field 
- Product feedback and development sessions, where attendees have the chance to provide feedback and insight about our intellectual property management platform, and discuss our current and future features 
- Brand protection sessions, where our experts share the most interesting current trends in brand protection, and the importance of protecting your brand 
- Company presentations about some of the participating law firms 
- A presentation about our RightHub Marketplace 
- A fantastic dinner and party to conclude the event 

Our goal is to create an opportunity for professionals to connect with industry leaders, share new ideas, and have a memorable and enjoyable social experience. We believe that the relationships you forge at events like this are invaluable, and we're excited to provide a platform for those connections to happen. 

Our participants have been carefully selected to ensure a diverse range of perspectives and expertise, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the industry's current landscape. 

For future news about the event [follow the official RightHub LinkedIn page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/righthubltd/) or [join the RightHub Community](https://www.righthub.com/signup) free of charge.

March Event.png

RightHub's Very First Networking & Interview Event

Guy Warner of Unilever and Iain Russell of Russell IP have recently set up EQE Training Ltd in order to deliver their take on European Qualifying Exams training to would-be European Patent attorneys.  

We recently spoke with Guy about their motivation, approach and aims.  

 

### RH - You have formed this new venture with Iain Russell, how do you two know one another? 

GW - Iain and I met when we were both trainee patent attorneys studying for the European Qualifying Exams, Iain was a year ahead and we just clicked. Iain passed his EQE’s with flying colours, I passed the next year. 

### RH – You and Iain already have careers as successful patent attorneys, you in-house and Iain in his own private practice, what made you come up with this? 

GW – I have always been passionate about teaching – when I was younger, I was a ski instructor. I loved skiing, I wanted to share what I did, and felt it was a really good metric of my ability to be able to teach somebody else to do it. I don’t believe in the adage that “Those who can, do. Those that can’t, teach”. I think that those that can teach should teach. I think that there is an obligation to the profession to give people the ability to perform at the best level they can. Also, on a personal level it is incredibly rewarding to see people you have brought along gain success. So, after I qualified I went straight into tutoring. 

### RH - Why was that, why not have a break? 

GW - I wanted to maintain my exam readiness and knowledge. You are never as good as you are the  day before your exam. It’s like being an athlete. You train to your peak for a competition, but you cannot stay at that event-ready level of fitness forever. However, you can, with work, maintain a high level of professional fitness. I wanted to stay on top of the exam techniques and subject matter. 

### RH - I see that you use the athlete analogy in your marketing materials. 

GW - Yes, we say passing the EQE’s, and passing them well is incredibly difficult and requires a real, long-term commitment from the candidates. These exams are like the Olympics for the candidates, they need to perform at their absolute peak to pass. We also say that the process of passing the EQE’s is a marathon, not a sprint.  

With our training plan, we want to enable candidates on the day the results come out, to all be able to stand on the podium as it were, with a winner’s medal around their neck celebrating their individual successes. We try to get our candidates to see their training in these terms and to visualize that success. It acts as a real motivator, not only for those taking the exams, but for us as well. We see ourselves as coaches rather than tutors. The relationship between a coach and the person they are coaching is much more profound than that of a tutor and student. 

### RH - So when you talk about a training plan, how does this differ from other offerings on the market? 

GW – Iain and I used to teach on other courses in what was a pretty standard format for the profession. We only saw candidates for a day and a half, or a couple of days, and go over what they have learned – usually by self-study - in order to try and prepare them for the exams.  

The problem with this approach is that there is always going to be different levels of exam-readiness and competence among the cohort, which results in the outstanding candidates often having to wait for those not as ready to catch up. Cramming is also not as an effective means of learning as ongoing, regular lessons. We felt constrained by the existing format, and very frustrated. Our courses sold out quickly and we had to add extra sessions, but there was a limit to what we could do. This is why we have started up EQE Training. There was no point in re-inventing the same wheel. It’s not to offer another just another course, but we think something better, a premium offering.  

### RH - So what’s the format? 

GW – It’s a hybrid. A series of weekly classes of about 90 minutes running from November until near the March exam, with a one “Mock Exam” at the end that people can attend in person or online. Iain and I are teaching live during these sessions via an e-learning platform. We also record these sessions so students can watch them again, or for the first time if they cannot attend a live class. The sessions are designed to be interactive.  

### RH – Anything else you would like to share with us?

GW - Over the years we have developed a whole number of techniques, such as visualisation techniques, various tools, and templates. We do a deep dive into several past papers, the sheer level of teaching in terms of hours we provide and the toolkit we give is designed specifically to help our students pass the EQE’s and pass them well.  

RH – Many thanks Guy 

Guy-warner-700x480.png

Community Spotlight: Guy Warner

### Europe's Innovation and Patenting Gap
Originally posted by IAM

According to the EPO's annual report, patent applications from European inventors increased by 2.3% in 2020, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report also highlights that Europe continues to be a major player in certain technological fields, such as medical technology and transport. However, it also notes that Europe lags behind other regions, particularly the United States and Asia, in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.iam-media.com/article/state-of-inventiveness-in-europe).

### Amazon removed several books from its service after they were discovered on pirate websites
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

Amazon has removed several books from its Kindle Unlimited service after they were discovered on pirate websites.

According to the article, the books were uploaded to pirate sites shortly after they were added to the Kindle Unlimited library. The authors of the books reportedly contacted Amazon to complain about the piracy, which led to the removal of the books from the service.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/amazon-removes-books-from-kindle-unlimited-after-they-appear-on-pirate-sites-230206/).

### Why Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Protection Matter for Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Startups
Originally posted by MBHB

Patents, trademarks, and copyrights can all play a role in protecting the innovations and creative works of bitcoin and cryptocurrency startups. By securing these forms of IP protection, startups can create a competitive advantage, attract investment, and generate revenue through licensing and enforcement efforts.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.mbhb.com/intelligence/snippets/five-reasons-bitcoin-and-cryptocurrency-startups-should-prioritize-ip/).

### IP theft is a growing concern for businesses, and Artificial Intelligence can provide a powerful tool for detecting and preventing such theft
Originally posted by Forbes

The article outlines some of the ways that AI can be used to protect IP. For example, it can be used to monitor online marketplaces for counterfeit goods, detect copyright infringement in online content, and identify potential patent violations. AI can also provide a more efficient and cost-effective way to monitor IP than traditional methods such as manual review.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/02/24/how-artificial-intelligence-helps-protect-intellectual-property/?sh=3f1acb55338f).

### Google blocks Singapore company's 'Google You' application
Originally posted by IPKat

Google has successfully opposed a trademark application for the phrase "Google You" in Singapore. The application was filed by a Singapore-based company called XCOM NCS, which provides cybersecurity services.

Google argued that the phrase "Google You" was too similar to its own trademarks, which include the word "Google" and variations of it.

You can read the whole article [here](https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2023/02/google-successfully-opposed-marks.html).

news-week10.png

This Week In Review: Week 9

We are excited to introduce the latest additions to the Righthub team. 

At RightHub we are always on the lookout for talented individuals who share our passion for intellectual property. Here you can read about our newest employees who have joined our team, each with their own unique set of skills and experiences. 



### Nina Forsvall

Nina is our new Chief Finance and People Officer. 

Nina has a strong background in Finance and HR, having obtained a Master of Science degree in Business and Economics. She started her career at Awapatent AB, where she held the roles of Finance Manager and HR Manager, then joined Ipendo AB as CFO, leading the Finance, HR. She has also served as CFO for Donya Labs AB, and later at Polygiene AB. 

“Over the years, I have enjoyed being involved in entrepreneur-driven growth companies, seeing people´s commitment and effort along with their joy behind their and the companies´ success.” 

 

### Fahimeh Rastgar 

Fahimeh is an IP Paralegal, dealing with various aspects of trademark such as registration, renewal and patent recordals. 

She has a Bachelor's degree in Law and two Master's degrees in Intellectual Property Law, and also a passion for exploring the intersection of technology and intellectual property. She is particularly interested in the potential uses of blockchain technology in the field. 

In her free time, Fahimeh enjoys traveling and playing games, with Fall Guys being her current favourite. 

 “I have been working in the field of IP for four years and have gained valuable experience over the years.  As a new member of this company, I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a talented and dedicated team.” 

 

### Carl Boberg 

Carl is our new Infrastructure Engineer, and his main tasks will be regarding the cloud infrastructure and assisting the development teams with infrastructure related questions. 

He has vast experience in IT, having worked more than 20 years as a System and Network Technician and later as a Sales Ops technician.  

“I have always had an interest in computers and I'm a big fan of Linux.  

The world of IP is new to me but I'm very excited to learn about it from all the IP talent in RightHub.” 

 

### Mattias Brodin 

Mattias is one of the recent IP Assistant additions to RightHub, having previously worked in healthcare. 

As an IP Assistant, Mattias is primarily responsible for docketing and renewals, and is quickly learning about the field. Outside of work, Mattias enjoys traveling, baking, and playing board games. 

“So far it’s a very exciting field to learn about and feels like there is always something new to learn. Even though im new to the field the team has made me feel extremely welcome and have been great at showing me the ins and outs.” 

 

### Nicolaj Meidger Larsen 

Nicolaj is the newest addition to our Brand Protection team, as an analyst specializing in protecting the brand and goodwill of our clients, by removing brand impersonators, fake webshops, counterfeit products and similar IP-infringement. 

He is passionate about intellectual property and recently completed his Master's degree in law, with a thesis focused on IP and its influence on video games and e-sports. In his free time, Nicolaj plays point guard for the Aarhus University basketball team and enjoys watching the NBA.  
 
"So far everyone on the team has welcomed me with open arms, and I have absolutely loved my start here."

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New Employees: February 2023

### AI-generated works not eligible for copyright protection, says Copyright Office
Originally posted by IPWatchdog

The U.S. Copyright Office has issued its official policy on works created by artificial intelligence (AI), stating that copyright protection will only be granted to works that involve human creativity and effort. Works that are solely created by AI without any human involvement will not be eligible for copyright protection.

You can read the whole article [here](https://ipwatchdog.com/2023/03/15/copyright-office-makes-ai-authorship-policy-official/id=157831/).

### Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech Engage in Legal Battle Over COVID-19 Vaccine Patents
Originally posted by JDSupra

Moderna filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pfizer/BioNTech, alleging that the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine infringes three of Moderna's patents. Pfizer/BioNTech also claims that it had an implied license to practice Moderna's patents and that Moderna waived its rights to assert infringement. Whether Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine infringes Moderna's patents and whether Pfizer/BioNTech copied Moderna's technology will be litigated.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/the-battle-over-the-covid-19-vaccine-4557962/)

### Oscar Award Leads to Surge in Online Piracy of "Everything Everywhere All At Once"
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

According to piracy tracking firm MUSO, the film "Everything Everywhere All at Once" saw a 579% increase in piracy activity following its Oscar win. The film was most commonly pirated via torrent and direct download websites. MUSO also noted that the surge in piracy happened within 24 hours of the film winning the award, indicating that some people were likely waiting to see if it would win before deciding to pirate it.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/everything-everywhere-all-at-once-piracy-skyrockets-after-oscar-win-230317/)

### Lenovo ordered to pay $140m in FRAND dispute with InterDigital
Originally posted by The Global Legal Post

Lenovo has been ordered to pay almost $140 million to InterDigital in a FRAND dispute over mobile wireless standard essential patents. The verdict is a significant victory for InterDigital, which claimed Lenovo failed to negotiate a FRAND license for its 3G and 4G essential patents covering wireless communication technology. Lenovo had argued that the licensing terms offered by InterDigital were not fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND).

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.globallegalpost.com/news/lenovo-ordered-to-pay-nearly-140m-to-interdigital-in-key-frand-dispute-1021965238)

### Luxury Brands Enter the Metaverse: Implications for IP Strategy
Originally posted by The Global Legal Post

Luxury brands are increasingly creating immersive products for the digital world, such as watches that come with NFTs and digital images of the product. However, this trend creates intellectual property (IP) and licensing challenges, as trademarks and copyrighted works can easily make their way into the metaverse. Companies will need to review their licensing agreements and consider whether digital use is included, and may also need to use "notice and action" systems to address infringements in the metaverse.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.globallegalpost.com/news/the-growing-market-for-immersive-luxury-goods-in-the-metaverse-1306765751)

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This Week In Review: Week 12

We sat down with our Chief Product Officer Jon-James Kirtland to talk about the role of automation in the industry, AI and machine learning in IP and how he - as a co-founder - imagines RightHub as a workplace. 


**RH: How did you get into working with IP (Intellectual Property)?** 


JJ: Well, it is an interesting one. I studied art, design, fashion, and photography at college. I was there for about two years. A lot of my friends were working in the city, in London. And honestly, I wanted to get a paid job because I could not really keep up with my friends financially. It was 1999 and I found a job in a newspaper called The Evening Standard – It was a position at a law firm working with CAD (computer aided design) producing technical drawings. Turns out that law firm was Marks & Clerk, one of the biggest Patent and Trademark agents in Europe. The position I applied for was doing these technical drawings for one of their big customers, Dyson, who are now a huge worldwide company. Two or three days into the job, Dyson decided to take all of their work in-house and within a few days the role was made redundant.  


But I kind of made an initial impression on the guys there, and they liked me, so they offered me a job working in the post room of the legal department. And from that day onwards, I worked my way up and moved into the patent renewals and formalities team. 


That grew from there, and then I studied and took the necessary exams to become a qualified Patent and Trademark administrator. After ten years or so, I changed direction and started focusing on building technology solutions to help solve some of the industry's biggest problems. 


**RH: How do you see the IP industry moving forward?** 


JJ:  Personally, I think the intellectual property industry specifically has been quite slow to adopt technology. However, in the last five-ten years that has improved, and I see that the industry is moving forward now and really starting to embrace innovative tech. However, the industry is still very disparate and fragmented, and I see the adoption of newer technology helping the industry to become much more inclusive and connected. There will be more transparency, more visibility going on, and I think that will lead to more innovation. 

 
**RH: And related to that, are there any specific changes you wish to see in the IP industry?**
 
JJ:  I want to see the PTOs (Patent and Trademark offices) offer more APIs and access to their platforms. If you look at what the EPO (European Patent Office) is doing now and the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office), they are working heavily on integrating through APIs and allowing third party products to connect to their systems, finally! That is something I really want to see move fast. And I think that will unlock a lot of capability and do a lot of exciting things for the industry. I am looking forward to waving goodbye to the EPO “Smart Card.” 


**RH: Nice. So, this is a little bit related to the PTOs as well. How do you see the future of IP management?**  


JJ: The management of IP is going to be a much more of an automated process, allowing IP professionals to be able to focus on the things that matter rather than the mundane tasks many are having to deal with today.  


A lot of the roles within IP – managers, administrators, paralegals, etc. - their role will significantly change. There will be a lot more automation, but that brings value across the chain, and it means that the administrators actually become more powerful in their role because they will be owning those processes, making sure that they run correctly, instead of being the ones who just sit there punching in data.  
 

**RH: You're touching upon this already, but how do you see the future of data sharing in the IP industry?**


JJ: You know, AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a hot topic now, and I am personally focusing on that a bit and looking into how that might affect things. Clearly the way that you want to improve processes and data sharing would be through APIs, automation and machine learning, and things like this. If you look at OpenAI, ChatGPT etc. - it is incredible. Once that technology becomes more accurate there will be a lot, lot faster ways that you can do things that relate to IP management. For example, for attorneys, this can already assist in the drafting of applications or generative responses, albeit with a low level of accuracy, but it can save them many hours by helping them get the necessary content off the ground.  


Because of this, we predict the number of newly filed applications is going to skyrocket, and it will be interesting to see how the PTOs and their examiners can cope with that. It is going to be incredible to see how this will all play out over the next few years. 


**RH: Do you see this whole AI and machine learning for online payments as well? Would this have an impact on the future of online payments in the IP industry?**  

 

JJ: Not necessarily AI or machine learning for payments specifically, but there is certainly a huge issue in the industry with the way that transactions and payments are made across the unconnected network. Every law firm and their customers have huge administrative burdens when it comes to transacting, and the docketing of those transactions.  

 

As an example, just one Patent or Trademark, seeking protection into multiple authorities can lead to tons of individual docketing events and multi-currency invoicing activities and this contributes to the bigger issue of how data is not transposed in the most efficient way. It is bonkers, and it has been like this for years. It is my view that these pain points can be disrupted and completely removed just by adopting some of the technologies that are out there today across other industries, such as the financial industry or e-commerce industries as well. 
 

**RH: As one of the co-founders of RightHub, I am sure you had a vision of what kind of workplace RightHub should be. What were your visions about that?**

 
JJ: Well, after working in an office for over 20 years, I wore a suit every day. So, I made a promise to myself never to put a suit back on. But no, in all seriousness, the most exciting thing is having a young, vibrant atmosphere with young, intelligent people. Since starting RightHub, it has been amazing to see all the young talent that has joined our team to help us really look at this industry in a completely different light than we ever have done before. I am really excited about what we are doing for the industry and our customers. 


**RH: And lastly, JJ, I want to know - what is your guilty pleasure?**  

 

JJ: Oh, there are a few, but it is Gaming. I‘ve always loved Gaming and it is something I do not think I will grow out of. When I was eight years old, I remember receiving both a SEGA Mega Drive AND a Nintendo Gameboy for Christmas, I was incredibly lucky that year! Since then, I have been hooked, and I have had every gaming console there is. My son who's eight years old himself, we like to play games, you know, PlayStation and Nintendo at the weekend. So, yes, I am 42 years old now and I think that will never leave me. 

 

RH: Well, thank you so much, JJ. 

 

JJ.jpg

Meet our CPO, Jon-James Kirtland

 We met with Laura West, CEO of Springbird.  Before setting up Springbird, Laura worked as Head of IP at boutique law firm Stephenson Law. 

 
**RH- How did you get to Springbird?** 


LW – It has been a long old path, but I guess it started whilst I was at Stephenson Law. I came across Alice Stephenson (founder of Stephenson Law) on my LinkedIn feed, constantly identifying issues within the legal field; the structure of law firms, time recording, lack of female leadership and an ability for lawyers to be themselves or be ‘human’. This coincided with growing frustrations within my previous role and with every post, I felt like she was reading my mind! I therefore approached her about setting up an IP team within the firm and we hit it off straight away. Fast forward 2 years and I had managed to grow that department to a team of 5, with some absolutely amazing clients, a unique subscription product and with us being identified as a challenger in the industry. This formed the basis for us separating out the IP business into a newly formed (and differently branded) entity, targeting our slightly different client base, and with me taking up the reigns of managing the business and pushing it forward. 

 
**RH- From the outside, Springbird looks very different from a typical law firm.**

 
LW- My aim with Springbird was to create a legal brand that stood out, but that also showed our clients that not only do we understand how to protect their brands, we also understand the value of brand. I really felt it needed to speak to our clients and show everyone that we are changing things up, doing things differently, and practicing what we preach.  


**RH – You are active on LinkedIn. One of your posts that resonated with us was about the problems with billable hours. Tell us more.** 
 

LW – There are so many things wrong with the billable hours model as it stands; I found it a real problem in my previous roles. As a trade mark attorney, you do lots of different ‘types’ of work and many of them can justifiably be described as ‘paper pushing’; it's administrative, it’s process-driven and you're just managing documents and deadlines. Conversely, some of it adds real value: you're providing strategic advice, preventing infringement, overcoming legal issues, pursuing proceedings, conducting litigation, etc. 


There is such a huge range of work, yet clients are paying the same rate for everything. And I could see that it was pissing clients off. Like, why did I just pay £450/hour for you to effectively regurgitate some advice from overseas, or to docket a deadline in the system and send a standard letter? 

 
I think the level of administration that is involved in trade mark management isn't necessarily there for a lot of other areas of legal work, and I could see why clients would get annoyed about it. Equally, even if you move to the fixed fee model, I saw attorneys offer a fixed rate and then just manipulate their billable hours to meet the fee, which kind of defeats the purpose. 

 
You then have the issues from a team management and morale perspective; incentivizing staff by billable hours targets just encourages all the wrong behaviours, for clients and for the team. People won’t leave their desks for fear of missing an hours’ time recordal and individuals get rewarded for hogging work and overburdening themselves, affecting client service.  


You then have the joys of staged billing; most firms will charge a fee upfront for filing, a fee at publication, a fee at registration, and a fee at renewal. All of these fees were reasonably low value invoices being charged at various different intervals. To me, they were all reasonably predictable, assuming that the rights proceeded in the way that you thought they would.  


I used to find that we spent so much time processing these tiny invoices, we'd then get queries back from clients because they didn't know what it was for and why they'd received it. Then you’d spend time answering the queries about the invoices, and have to answer why they're paying an hourly rate for something that seems administrative. I felt like the whole system was broken and it wasn't good for the clients. It wasn't nice for me as a lawyer to have to constantly justify myself and our way of operating. 

 
**RH - So you took a different approach?** 


I decided why don't we just streamline it all and just agree a fee for that basic management that clients think is acceptable and provides value? It acts as an incentive for us to make sure we get the rights through as quickly as we possibly can and in the most efficient way and clients know where they stand. We charge one fee at the outset and don't have to worry about 150 invoices throughout the year (including chasing them up) and our clients get certainty, transparency and access. It takes away the uncomfortable element of the relationship and lets us create really close relationships with our client, with no clock ticking. That’s why we offer a subscription.  


**RH – I see this is a classic win/win?** 


LW - I think so. For us, it gives us a level of certainty in terms of revenue and cashflow from a business perspective, just as it gives the client certainty from a budgeting perspective. As long as you're making sure the fee is fair and representative, that we're making a profit on the service we provide, and that the client feels like they're getting value, it works.  


I also think we're being a lot more open and transparent about the way that we deliver the services and the prices that we charge, and clients see value in that.  

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Community Spotlight: Laura West

**For every business, in every industry and in every country, this is the 6-million-dollar question - what do people want?** If a company were to have an accurate and satisfactory answer to that question that fit the majority of needs, then the practice of business would become blissfully easy. Simply choose your target audience, ascertain what they want and provide it at a price they can afford. Et voila - you would have a very successful business. 

Unfortunately, (or perhaps fortunately, depending on your perspective!) humans are a great deal more complex than such a simple philosophy would suggest. Businesses all over the globe perform in-depth market research asking exactly this question and frequently discover that when they provide what people said they wanted, actually they don't want it at all. Or they wanted it for a while but now they want something different. This phenomenon has led to a theory that says that people don't really know what they want and has evolved into 3 basic product development models: 

Frequently research your customer base and try to iterate fast enough to keep up with ever-evolving changes in demand ...or 

Make a lot of products or services and hope some of them catch fire with your target audience ...or 

Make a product that you think they should want and invest in the right kind of marketing to ensure that they will want what you're making. 

**None of these models for the creation and continuing development of products and services come anywhere close to the RightHub ethos and goals.** For us, building tools and services are centred around bringing people together to make a difference in the world - specifically as it relates to all aspects of the IP industry. So, the core question remains: What do IP professionals really want? 

Rather more recent research from more of a mindfulness perspective than a strictly business one suggests that people want 'experiences' more than they want 'things’. More to the point, they want to experience a feeling of something and sometimes the 'thing' is simply the mechanism by which that feeling is generated. 

This model of thinking makes a lot of sense in the wider context of the human experience. For example, if you asked people what they wanted, a huge number would cite money as being the thing that they most want. As an individual item, an amount of money is a simple enough thing to categorise but really, they want more than just that. Money represents many things but foremost amongst them is freedom. 

Freedom from worry about bills. Freedom to choose the jobs that fulfill you as opposed to being compelled to take what is offered. Freedom to provide for your children and other family members. Freedom to travel, live, laugh and love! While money is certainly one of the most obvious contributors to a feeling of freedom or even security, it is far from being the only one. 

RightHub was built, not as a 'product' that people should want but as an internal tool to create better communication, better collaboration with clients, better workflows, better processes and better checks and balances in the internal to-do list. It was built to give more control to IP professionals on both sides of the table. To grant freedom from trying to track communications and documents through an email inbox. To dramatically reduce the chances of something getting missed. 

Or to filter it through a mindfulness perspective, the RightHub platform was built and continues to develop in the direction of increasing freedom, control and ultimately, peace of mind that everything is taken care of. What IP professionals ultimately want cannot truly be tied down or limited to a list of tools, features and attributes. It can be usefully argued that their goals and ambitions for their business, lives and careers are bigger than that. Consequently, so are ours!

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What do IP professionals really want?

### The arrival of the Unitary Patent: What it means for intellectual property
Originally posted by Lexology

The Unified Patent Court (UPC) will take effect from June 1, 2023, introducing the possibility of obtaining a Unitary Patent. The Unitary Patent, when it comes into effect, will be a single patent that will be enforceable across a large number of European countries. This means that holders of IP rights need to identify the potential implications for their patent portfolio and plan accordingly. The new European patent and litigation system offers a number of advantages, but also poses a number of challenges that rights holders need to consider.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=b151f606-db2e-4901-8361-5298df4de4d0).

### Adobe and Nvidia Tackle Copyright Concerns in AI Image Generation with Royalty Payments and Licensing
Originally posted by PlagiarsmToday

Adobe and Nvidia have both announced new AI image generation services, Firefly and Picasso respectively, that are specifically licensed for commercial use. The tools, which generate videos and 3D applications from text descriptions, have been built to address the two separate copyright issues of human creators' rights and ownership of AI works. Both firms will pay royalties to those whose images are used in AI-created works, and Adobe is pushing for a universal "Do Not Train" tag to allow artists to refuse the use of their images.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2023/03/22/can-adobe-and-nvidia-fix-ais-copyright-woes/).

### Internet Archive's Book Scanning Project Sparks Copyright Lawsuit
Originally posted by TIME

The Internet Archive, a non-profit digital library, is facing a lawsuit from publishers over allegations of copyright infringement. The lawsuit claims that the organization has made over 1.3 million books available for free without permission from copyright holders. The Internet Archive argues that it is operating within the bounds of fair use and providing access to books that are no longer widely available.

You can read the whole article [here](https://time.com/6266147/internet-archive-copyright-infringement-books-lawsuit/).

### Twitter struggles with intellectual property leak as code is posted on GitHub
Originally posted by The New York Times

Parts of Twitter's source code were leaked online, raising concerns about security vulnerabilities and user data extraction. The leaked code was posted on GitHub, and Twitter issued a copyright infringement notice to have it removed. Twitter has asked the US District Court for the Northern District of California to order GitHub to identify the person who shared the code and any other individuals who downloaded it.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/26/technology/twitter-source-code-leak.html).

### New Gender-Name Tool to Help Companies Estimate Inventor Pool Diversity
Originally posted by IAM

A tool named GnE has been launched to help companies estimate the gender of their inventors. GnE uses an algorithm to determine a person's gender from their name, analysing patent data to estimate the gender of inventor pools. The application is a major improvement on an earlier Excel-only tool because it updates to use the larger WIPO World Gender Name Dictionary 2.0 and eliminates the need for users to manually manipulate spreadsheets.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.iam-media.com/article/gender-name-tool-change-the-game-patent-diversity-analysis).

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This Week In Review: Week 13

### New Copyright Act in Nigeria to Reboot Copyright System and Meet Global Standards
Originally posted by Realnews Magazine

The Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, has stated that the recently signed Copyright Act 2022 will help to reboot Nigeria's copyright system to meet international standards. The Act repeals the Copyright Act, Cap C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and provides for the regulation, protection, and administration of copyright in Nigeria. The new Act includes provisions for enforcing copyright in the digital environment, regulating the production, sale, warehousing, and other dealings in copyright matters, and protecting against piracy and other intellectual property-related issues.

You can read the whole article [here](https://realnewsmagazine.net/new-copyright-act-will-reboot-nigerias-copyright-system-d-g/).

### IFPI report highlights opportunities and threats of AI in the music industry
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

The music industry is keeping an eye on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music creation and copyright regulation, with industry insiders emphasizing the need for AI to complement rather than replace human input and for copyright rules and regulations to be upheld. The annual Global Music Report by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) highlights both the opportunities and potential threats posed by AI in the music industry, including the possibility of AI-generated vocals being used to cover songs and potentially replace artists.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/sony-music-has-serious-concerns-about-ai-synthesized-vocals-230328/).

### Boundaries for Parody Use Established by Italian Supreme Court in 15-Year Legal Battle
Originally posted by IAM

Legal boundaries established by the Italian Supreme Court for the use of parody in relation to others' intellectual property rights in a 15-year legal battle between an American company that holds the rights to the fictional character Zorro and an Italian mineral water brand that used the character in a commercial. The court's decision provides a legal definition of parody and its limitations, particularly in relation to the use of well-known trademarks, highlighting the need for creators of parodies to be aware of these legal limits in order to avoid potential legal repercussions.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.iam-media.com/article/italian-supreme-court-redefines-parody-in-15-year-ad-dispute).

### UK IPO Issues Guidelines for Trademark Applications in the NFT, Virtual Goods, and Web3 Era
Originally posted by The Fashion Law

New guidance on trademark applications for businesses operating in the emerging fields of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), virtual goods, and Web3 technologies has been released by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO). The guidelines specifically address the distinct considerations and obstacles that these companies may encounter while seeking trademark protection for their brands in these pioneering areas.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.thefashionlaw.com/ukipo-releases-guidance-on-trademark-applications-for-nft-virtual-goods-web3/).

### Adidas backtracks on BLM trademark opposition
Originally posted by BBC

Adidas has reversed its decision to challenge a Black Lives Matter (BLM) trademark application featuring three parallel stripes with the US Trademark Office, after facing criticism. The sportswear giant had previously argued that the design of the BLM Global Network Foundation would cause confusion with its own iconic three-stripe mark. However, Adidas has not explained why it has withdrawn its opposition.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65107924).

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This Week in Review: Week 14

### We sat down with Tobias Bohm, our director of services operations, to discuss the advantages of outsourcing IP management, such as increased flexibility and the introduction of diverse competencies. Alongside this, we sought his perspective on the current state of the industry and his personal experience with IP. 

 

**RH: How did you get into IP?** 

 

TB: By coincidence. Before my final term at the university, where I took Economics and Business administration, I had a few weeks without any courses, which is why I applied for a short-term job in accounting. It was supposed to be a software company - at least that's what the ad said - but the job was to take care of one of the foreign subsidiaries of an IP company. Then, I was asked to continue that work part-time when I was writing my master's thesis. When my thesis was finished, they offered me full-time employment as a business controller. I just went with the flow and here we are. 

 

**RH: It seems like a lot of people came into working with IP by coincidence.** 

 

TB: It's a nice industry with nice people. International, global, and exciting in many ways. Also, very stable, so I think that’s why people stay. That was what they said when I took that job I mentioned earlier: "You know once people start in IP, they stay.” 

 

**RH: What are the top challenges you see in IP management?**  

 

TB: I think one thing is for sure: there still are very few standardised formats for exchanging data. Of course, that makes it difficult to streamline things.  

 

Then it’s the fact that most jurisdictions have different rules - but it's also something that makes it more challenging. I would also say that there's usually a vast number of touch points that need to be handled, in order to move the matter from A to B. I would say that these are probably the top three. 

 

The fourth one is more general. It’s that ironically, and despite the fact that we work with very good innovation, our industry's very stubborn and not always up for quick changes and testing new things. Overall, I would say that that's also a challenge. We want to stick with the old routines that we've had for ages. 

 

**RH: How does the use of the RightHub platform support managed services?** 

 

TB: One thing is for sure: since we have skilled IP administrators and paralegals behind the scenes, we can assist IP owners and law firms with administrative tasks in an easy and cost-efficient way, as opposed to most other solutions and platforms out there, where you are on your own with your system. With most systems, you get the system and hopefully some help setting it up, but from then on, you're on your own. 

 

Another thing is that there's also an ability to make use of common services directly from the platform instead of having to copy paste and create some kind of external workflow outside the portfolio management system. I would say those are the two main ways RightHub supports managed services. 

 

**RH: Which advantages do you see for companies buying managed services externally, as opposed to having in-house paralegals?** 

 

TB: I think the benefits are really those that you find in all types of outsourced services. You can easily grow; downsize and diversify when you outsource and when you buy services externally. 

 

There's really nothing different between our industry and other industries. You can compare it with accounting services or payroll services or I.T. services where most companies outsource everything, or parts of it, in order to be more flexible. Another benefit is to bring in competencies that you might not have in-house, or at least those competencies that perhaps are not as fresh and updated all the time when you have in-house people. 

 

If you bring in people from outside, they usually work with different types of companies and different types of IP and jurisdictions, then their knowledge is broader, than if you are in a company where you do seven jurisdictions, for example, repeatedly. Usually, people like us and other companies that are offering this have the knowledge around those. Then more specifically, benefits from outsourcing work would be reducing headcount, which is usually an important thing for companies depending on the state of the general business. 

 

Furthermore, delivering effective assistance is a key benefit. When you outsource, you really get exactly what you want. And you should get exactly what you're asking for and paying for, so ultimately it is more effective. Regarding the consistency of work - if you outsource, you have people there all the time. In general, you don't outsource to one specific person, but instead, you have a team available, adding resources. 

 

A final thing that I would say we noticed with our clients is that they very often tell us that working with us sort of really energises their own internal teams. Since they work with knowledgeable and professional staff that is brought in from the outside, that sort of makes their in-house team more energised and on their toes. And sometimes, maybe a team is small, but then suddenly they have two or maybe three more people to speak to. This doesn't mean that there are three more full time employees in the team, but they have two or three more people to get help from and cooperate with. I would say that it's not only about cost efficiency in particular or saving time or money. But still, it is super important to not forget this part of using outside resources. 

 

**RH: How do you see the demand for using external paralegals and IP professionals for managed services? Is it increasing or decreasing? What has the development been like?** 

 

TB: My definite feeling is that it is growing, and that the view within the industry is changing. Perhaps a little bit connected to what we discussed earlier, about this industry not always being in the forefront of embracing new ways of working. I'm not saying that that this slow pace of change is negative – it is what it is. But I think that it is definitely changing. Another reason is that there's a lack of resources and it is difficult to find skilled people. Therefore, you turn to a company that can offer that and that's fine - that's definitely one reason that has grown. 

 

**RH: In general, how do you see the future of IP management?** 

 

TB:  This is a combination of what I believe, but also of what I hope. 

There will be a lot more streamlined processes - automation and standardisation - because everyone in this ecosystem will demand it just like in any industry. People demand it because you have a lot more ability nowadays with systems and such, so of course we will see more streamlined processes, more automation and more standardisation. For a corporate or an IP owner, they will want to focus on things that actually create value, and they're happy to pay for it, but they don't want to pay for a lot of administration. Hopefully we'll see a lot more IP being created compared to today, but with less administration. 

 

This will all take time. I remember when I started in the industry in the early 2000s at the company I mentioned, and we still had a telex machine standing in a closet since there was one or two foreign agents or PTOs that still used that as a means of communication. Someone had to check that machine every day and, as far as I understand, today there are still a few PTOs where you sometimes need to send a fax. 

 

**RH: The last question is, what is your guilty pleasure?** 

TB: Since I actually knew that you would ask that, I turned to my daughter for advice because I didn't come up with anything right away, and she's usually very frank and outspoken. She tried to come up with something, but basically concluded that actually I was pretty boring when it came to things like that. Perhaps watching a little too much sport from time to time and listening to really early and basic punk rock would count as my guilty pleasures. 

Feel free to contact Tobias to talk about our services by clicking [here.](https://www.righthub.com/contact?expertise=Patent,Trademark,Design)

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Meet our Director of services operations, Tobias Bohm

### Jazz band wins appeal against Apple's 'Apple Music' trademark registration
Originally posted by Patently-O

The Federal Circuit has ruled that Apple Inc. cannot claim priority use of the term "Apple" for all its services back to 1968 based on its settlement with Apple Corps in the 2000s. The ruling came after Charlie Bertini's opposition to Apple's trademark registration on the "Apple Music" mark

You can read the whole article [here](https://patentlyo.com/patent/2023/04/musician-trademark-registration.html).

### Pfizer faces a fresh patent infringement lawsuit over its COVID-19 vaccine
Originally posted by IP Watchdog

Pfizer and BioNTech are being sued for patent infringement by Arbutus and Genevant Sciences, who claim that the companies utilized their proven LNP technologies to develop and produce their COVID-19 vaccine without proper licensing.

You can read the whole article [here](https://ipwatchdog.com/2023/04/07/barks-bites-friday-april-7-pfizer-hit-patent-infringement-lawsuit-mrna-technology-apple-loses-trademark-case-uspto-transitions-patent-center-e-office-action-program/id=159159/).

### Nintendo seeks identity of Discord user in response to leak of unreleased Legend of Zelda art book
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

Nintendo is attempting to discover the identity of a Discord user after an art book for its upcoming game, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, was leaked online, with legal documents obtained by TorrentFreak indicating that the videogame company is attempting to track down a specific user.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/nintendo-hunts-down-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-leaker-230410/).

### 
Originally posted by JD Supra

The cases of Hermès Int'l v. Rothschild and Jack Daniel's Properties v. VIP Products underscore the unclear boundary between safeguarding brand ownership and freedom of speech in the digital realm of NFTs. The impending verdict from the Supreme Court on the Jack Daniel's lawsuit could shed light on the range of creative works that may convey a message under the Rogers test, as well as offer guidance on how to pinpoint such works, enabling brand holders to modernize their enforcement tactics in the metaverse.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/trademark-protection-and-protected-6228101/).

### Reddit sees surge in DMCA takedown notices and bans for infringement
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

According to Reddit's transparency report, there has been a noteworthy rise in DMCA takedown notices as well as users and subreddits being banned for infringement, suggesting that Reddit is making efforts to comply with DMCA takedown notices while keeping its user-generated content secure.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/reddit-banned-5853-users-for-excessive-copyright-infringement-last-year-230410/).

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This Week In Review: Week 15

### Nokia secures court victory over Vivo for 4G tech patent infringement
Originally posted by JUVE Patent

Nokia has won a court case in Germany against Vivo over patent infringement. The court ruled that Vivo violated three of Nokia's standard essential patents in relation to its 4G technology. Although the Finnish company was granted an injunction, it has not said whether it will enforce it against Vivo.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.juve-patent.com/cases/nokia-continues-sep-campaign-with-injunction-win-against-vivo/).

### Copyright and Right of Publicity Concerns in Generative AI Applications
Originally posted by JD Supra

Generative AI (GAI) has raised copyright and legal issues such as whether GAI models training constitutes infringement, who is liable for output infringement, and whether the output is copyrightable. A class action lawsuit has been filed against NeoCortext, Inc. for violating the California Right of Publicity statute, which prohibits the use of any person's name, voice, photograph, or likeness for advertising or selling without their prior consent. Responsible companies are taking proactive steps to minimize the likelihood of violating the right of publicity.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/celebrity-faces-off-against-deep-fake-2297591/).

### Google Receives Mixed Ruling in Patent Lawsuit Brought by Sonos Inc
Originally posted by Reuters

Google has failed to invalidate all patents before a trial in a lawsuit brought by Sonos over wireless audio technology, but a San Francisco federal judge has narrowed Sonos' claims. The case, part of a contentious intellectual property dispute between the two companies over their smart speakers, is set for trial on 8 May. Sonos accuses Google of infringing four patents related to multi-room wireless speaker technology, while Google has sued Sonos for patent infringement.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/google-must-face-trial-over-sonos-patents-california-judge-says-2023-04-13/).

### Increasing Trust in China's Legal System: Foreign Entities Choose China to Resolve IP Disputes
Originally posted by China Daily

Overseas litigants are increasingly choosing to resolve international intellectual property disputes in China, according to a report by the Intellectual Property Court of the Supreme People's Court. The rise in cases indicates growing confidence in the legal protection of IP rights in China and the country's market, and that China has become one of the preferred venues for international IP litigation.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202304/14/WS64388ab2a31057c47ebba029.html).

### UKIPO adapts trademark practices to keep up with digitalisation of marketplace and developing technologies
Originally posted by Osborne Clarke

UKIPO released guidance on trademark classification for NFTs and virtual goods due to a rise in related applications. NFTs cannot be used as a standalone classification term, and virtual goods and services must be clearly defined. NFTs can be used to authenticate physical and virtual assets, and metaverse services have slightly different requirements for acceptance.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.osborneclarke.com/insights/ukipo-guidance-trade-mark-protection-nfts-and-virtual-goods-and-services).

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This Week In Review: Week 16

### Streaming services could potentially lose $113 billion due to piracy by 2027.
Originally posted by Variety

A new report from Parks Associates warns that piracy in the US is set to increase with a projected loss of $113bn for streaming video providers by 2027. The company said piracy rates for film and television programming will increase from 22% in 2022 to 24.5% in 2027, bringing with it an estimated $700m value of fraudulent advertising delivered online to consumers that same year.

You can read the whole article [here](https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/parks-associates-piracy-streaming-services-1235587156/).

### Mercedes Sues Lenovo for Trademark Infringement Over Gaming Computer Logo
Originally posted by WRAL TechWire

Mercedes-Benz has taken legal action against Lenovo, claiming that the logo used for the electronics company's gaming computer is too similar to their own trademarked logo. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, April 18th, asserts that Lenovo has been using the disputed logo since 2018, and is currently selling the gaming computers in the US market.

You can read the whole article [here](https://wraltechwire.com/2023/04/19/star-wars-mercedes-3-pointed-logo-at-heart-of-lawsuit-against-lenovo/).

### European Commission Proposes Patent Rule Changes to Ease Royalty Disputes
Originally posted by Reuters

The European Commission has revised draft patent rules to enable patent holders to sue companies over royalty disputes, allowing patent owners to request injunctions against infringing companies while negotiating on fair royalties, with an aim to reduce costly legal disputes over essential patents in the technology industry, including for telecoms equipment, mobile phones, computers, connected cars and smart devices. The proposed rules require the approval of the European Parliament and EU countries before they can become law.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-tweaks-draft-patent-rules-making-it-easier-patent-holders-sue-2023-04-24/).

### Netlist wins case against Samsung over patent infringement
Originally posted by Verdict

Samsung has been fined more than $303m after a US jury found it had violated five Netlist patents on data processing enhancements, with Samsung's memory modules for high-performance computing said to be involved, although the Korean tech giant denies the claims.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.verdict.co.uk/samsung-faces-303m-fine/).

### Ed Sheeran Faces Trial Over Copyright Infringement Claims for "Thinking Out Loud"
Originally posted by Independent

Ed Sheeran is set to defend himself in a New York court against allegations that his hit song “Thinking Out Loud” copied elements of Marvin Gaye’s 1973 classic “Let’s Get It On”. The lawsuit, filed by the heirs of songwriter Ed Townsend, who co-wrote the Gaye track, was initially brought in 2017 and alleges that Sheeran’s song took harmonic progressions, melodic and rhythmic elements from “Let’s Get It On” without permission.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/ed-sheeran-marvin-gaye-copyright-trial-b2326327.html).

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This Week In Review: Week 17

# World IP Day 2023: Women and IP - An interview with Helen Kavadias and Katherine Zheng of HWL Ebsworth

We had the opportunity to sit down with Helen Kavadias and Katherine Zheng of HWL Ebsworth to discuss their journeys in the field of intellectual property (IP) and the current state of gender representation in the Australian industry. 

 

**RH: How did you get into IP and what has your journey been like?**
  

HK: It's been a bit of a long journey, but it doesn't feel so long. Sometimes it feels like I only started in IP yesterday. 

I have always been interested in the commercial side of science and innovation. I did a medical science degree, and law, and as part of it I had to do an honours research here in the medical science component. It was during that time that there was an IP dispute in the lab that I was doing this project in, and that’s what sparked my interest in intellectual property. So, I took some intellectual property electives during my law degree, and then when I finished law, I was certain I only wanted to do IP. 

I wanted to do enforcement and litigation, so I moved around to sort of get the skills that I was interested in obtaining and HWL Ebsworth has allowed me to bring all of that together and offer a full scope of IP services in a full-service commercial law firm. The firm is very commercially orientated, and it does sort of promote itself as offering unrivalled value, so it was a good value proposition for the clients that I had worked for in the past. 

KZ: It has been a much shorter journey for me so far. My interest in IP is built on my interest in film and the arts. I studied film studies and marketing at university, and I also had a law degree combined - and IP just felt like the most natural intersection between those two areas. I really enjoyed the subject, and when it came to applying for graduate roles I was really drawn to the firm because of the great IP practice we have here. I've been in this role for coming up to two years and that's been my journey so far. 

  

**RH: This year the theme of World IP Day is women and IP. Do you think that your IP journey has been different due to being a woman?** 

 

HK: My IP journey started because of an interest I have rather than being a particular gender. And I think if you are good at what you do and you're passionate about what you do, then gender really becomes irrelevant. So, from my personal experience, I can't say that I experienced any sort of gender differences, and I don't think my journey was any different because I was a woman. I think even if I was a man, it would have been the same because I made decisions based on my interests rather than my gender. 

  

KZ: In the relatively short span of my career so far, I don't think there's anything in particular about being woman that made my IP journey different from another person's. The partners that I've worked with so far have all been incredible women, and I think that just felt very, very supported. 

  

**RH: Have you needed to overcome any gender-related obstacles in your career, or felt a difference in the dynamics of working in a group where the majority were male?** 

HK: In our Sydney office, all the IP members - partners, associates, graduates, lawyers - they're all female. So, I can't say I really have any obstacles. I think if just like I said, you’re interested in what you do and passionate about what you do, gender just really becomes irrelevant. 

And the composition in our team, it being all female, wasn't by design. It just kind of happened. Where I've been in IP teams in the past, it's probably been somewhere between 5050 at times. In terms of how you work and interpersonal relationships are, I can't really point to any clear, obvious difference. 

I think, again, if you're working with sort of like-minded people, you're obviously drawn to a particular area for a reason. And if you have similar interests, it makes working together with other people, regardless of their gender, just really easy and natural. 

KZ: I would just sort of echo the same things about being passionate about and interested in what you do. And I think the best work comes from that. And in my experience, that sort of helped me get to where I am today. And as Helen said, we are an all-female team and that's just been the norm for me. So, I don't know any different. And I feel really fortunate that there are these incredible women working on the team. 

  

**RH: How do you see the landscape for women in intellectual property evolving in the future?** 

 

HK: If you look at the statistics in Australia, we have more than 60% of graduates being female now. And so, I think you'll probably see, at least in Australia, more women in IP law. And not just IP, but other legal areas as well.  

 

KZ: I guess I think it's also important to recognise that maybe our team might just be an anomaly and we don't want to sort of say that ‘yes, it's just all women in IP now’ or ‘this is the norm’. I think there is still room for discussion in terms of whether in other countries or other firms there might be sort of still that imbalance. But in my experience, that's not been an obstacle to me progressing throughout my career. 

  

**RH What is the biggest challenge in managing a global IP portfolio in your experience? And how do you personally approach overcoming it?** 

 

HK: The biggest challenge when you're dealing with large portfolios is managing all the deadlines. Whether it’s prosecution deadlines or renewal deadlines, we're fortunate that we're in a place in time where technology has evolved so much. We're not just relying on our outlook calendars or diary entries in a hard copy diary to keep on top of deadlines. 

For that reason, we're really excited to be working with RightHub because from our experience, we're still learning and finding the ways to utilise it best for our practice and for our clients. It's evolving and the product itself is constantly evolving as well. 

It really takes away that administrative burden that is a part of IP practice. It's not the only part, obviously, but it does take away that administrative burden that, as IP professionals, allows us to sort of get on with the more interesting work as well. So, we're really grateful that there are now platforms out there like, like Righthub, that make our life easier in that respect. 

Other than just managing the deadlines, it's nice to just be able to bring up a client's portfolio with the click of a button - it's a nice report and it looks good. And obviously, it's dependent on the quality of the data entry, but it's just a lot easier than how things used to be done in the past, which was manual and very time consuming. So that's a good improvement that I've seen in my IP journey and I'm sure it's just the beginning and there is still a long way that we that we could that we could go. 

worldipday2023.png

World IP Day 2023

### U.S. Appeals Court rules in favor of World Programming Limited in the case against SAS Institute
Originally posted by Internet & Social Media Law Blog

On April 6, 2023, the US Court of Appeals upheld Judge Gilstrap's ruling in the SAS Institute, Inc. v. World Programming Limited case. The ruling denied SAS Institute's data analysis software copyright protection, which has significant consequences for software developers who use copyright law to safeguard their work. The ruling also raises concerns about how non-literal software elements are protected, as well as how the court determines copyrightability using the abstraction-filtration-comparison infringement test and the burden-shifting framework.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.internetandtechnologylaw.com/copyrightability-computer-programs/).

### CATIA copyright infringement case in China
Originally posted by The National Law Review

Dassault Systemes Co., Ltd. has won a CATIA copyright infringement case in China against IAT Automobile Technology Co., Ltd., which was found to have copied and installed 103 sets of CATIA series of computer software without authorization. The Beijing Intellectual Property Court has awarded Dassault 20 million RMB in damages and an injunction against IAT, and found IAT guilty of obstructing evidence preservation by using virtual desktop software during the court evidence preservation process.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/beijing-ip-court-awards-dassault-20-million-rmb-catia-copyright-infringement-case).

### Spotify CEO addresses copyright threat from AI
Originally posted by MBW

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek discussed concerns about AI-generated music and its impact on intellectual property rights. He acknowledged that the use of AI in music has raised legitimate concerns, including issues of copyright ownership and the use of an artist's name and likeness without permission. Spotify is reportedly working to establish a position that allows innovation while protecting creators on its platform. Ek noted that the use of AI in music is an early and fast-developing space, and the entire industry is trying to figure out how to handle it.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-confirms-working-with-labels-to-quell-copyright-threat-from-ai-music/).

### Bulgaria Introduces Prison Sentences for Online Piracy
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

Bulgaria's Council of Ministers has approved a draft law that criminalizes and prosecutes those who "create conditions for online piracy." The proposed amendments are in response to criticism from the United States, and it's hoped that prison sentences of up to six years will deter piracy.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/bulgaria-approves-draft-law-that-turns-pirate-site-operators-into-criminals-230425/).

### Masimo to retry case against Apple following mistrial
Originally posted by Yahoo Finance

Apple has avoided paying damages of up to $1.85bn, as a jury in California failed to reach a unanimous verdict in a trade secrets case brought against it by medical device company Masimo. Masimo had claimed that a blood-oxygen sensor in the Apple Watch had been developed using its technology.

You can read the whole article [here](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-masimo-trade-secrets-fight-235612279.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACga8y-V10h28DNLPcpM_cx-dpgFBzHOo5ySAETknW-k9y8i4SoqCTS_cWgHMo4NU6GR3Gko06Oscg7JmrWxR1PjsWS3CMWtf9vpiGy20TH0ljhgGY-Kb00lv6GW-YilySVFXR5Er6eXRfmlsRua_0gUwlk9tvGK0WAZQk6qHwnK).

week 18

This Week In Review: Week 18

### The Hidden Value of Trademark Registrations: How They Can Boost Stock Returns
Originally posted by IP Watchdog


A recent study published in Management Science shows a positive correlation between the number of trademark registrations a company has and its stock value, with higher trademark intensity leading to higher profitability and stock returns over the next 12 months. 

You can read the whole article [here](https://ipwatchdog.com/2023/05/06/high-ratio-us-trademark-registrations-assets-increases-annual-value/id=160597/).

### RIAA Fights Against Yout's Attempt to Legalize Stream-Ripping
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has filed a 62-page response in its ongoing legal battle with the stream-ripping platform Yout. Yout owner Jonathan Nader is fighting to have his service declared legal, despite Judge Stefan Underhill ruling in favor of the RIAA in 2022, and claiming that YouTube-ripping tools violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/riaa-counters-yout-com-stream-ripper-brief-at-u-s-court-of-appeal-230505/).

### Australian Designer Katie Perry Wins Trademark Battle Against Pop Star Katy Perry
Originally posted by Business Insider

Katy Perry has lost a trademark dispute brought by an Australian designer named Katie Perry, who claimed that the pop singer partially infringed her trademark by selling clothing merchandise on her Australian tours between 2014 and 2018. The clothing designer, who registered her brand name Katie Perry in 2008, claimed that the trademark battle had spanned 15 years.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.businessinsider.com/katy-perry-loses-trademark-battle-with-designer-called-katie-perry-2023-4?r=US&IR=T).

### High Court rules in favor of Lidl in trade mark infringement dispute against Tesco
Originally posted by The IPKat

Lidl has won a lawsuit against Tesco for infringing on its copyright, trademark, and rights to pass off in the yellow-and-blue logo used for its Clubcard Prices promotion. However, the court found that Lidl had registered its wordless mark in bad faith, which led to the invalidation of all four of its trade marks.

You can read the whole article [here](https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2023/05/ipr-infringement-in-yellow-and-blue.html).

### Vinci Leather faces trademark lawsuit from Christian Louboutin over red soles and spiked sneakers
Originally posted by The Fashion Law

Christian Louboutin has filed a lawsuit against footwear maker Vinci Leather, accusing the company of infringing on its red-sole trademark, trade dress rights and design patents by manufacturing knock-off Louboutin shoes that resemble the French luxury brand's original designs. Louboutin alleges that Vinci Leather has been marketing shoes that utilise red soles identical to Louboutin's and shoes with soles nearly identical to Louboutin's Loubishark line of sneakers and Spiked Sneakers trade dress.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.thefashionlaw.com/louboutin-wages-new-red-sole-trademark-design-patent-lawsuit/).

week 19

This Week In Review: Week 19

### INTA Annual Meeting 2023
Originally posted by INTA

INTA is an annual meeting organised by the International Trademark Association. This year it took place in Singapore, and served as a gathering for brand owners and professionals dedicated to trademarks and intellectual property.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.inta.org/events/2023-annual-meeting-live/).

### Luxury Watchmaker Audemars Piguet Combines NFTs and Trademarks in New Strategy
Originally posted by The Fashion Law

Audemars Piguet's trademark application for its Royal Oak watch face configuration was questioned by the USPTO due to concerns about source indication. The company defended the mark, emphasizing its function as a trademark and its intention to use it for source identification, including exploring NFT technology for authentication and traceability.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.thefashionlaw.com/audemars-piguet-is-preparing-to-use-its-trademarks-on-nfts-per-filing/).

### The Use of AI Performers: Balancing Intellectual Property Rights and AI Platform Profits
Originally posted by China Daily

The use of artificial intelligence to create virtual singers raises legal concerns regarding potential infringements on intellectual property rights, including image rights and the use of unique vocal models and singing styles. Draft regulations released by the Cyberspace Administration of China aim to define the rights, obligations, and liabilities of AI platform companies and original intellectual property rights owners, promoting the standardized application of generative AI technologies.

You can read the whole article [here](https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202305/15/WS64617a20a310b6054fad2e42.html).

### Copyright Concerns Arise as Poland's Eurovision Entry is Similar to Clean Bandit's Hit
Originally posted by Mirror

Poland's Eurovision entry, Blanka's "Solo," has raised copyright concerns as it bears similarities to Clean Bandit's hit of the same name, prompting experts to discuss a potential copyright infringement.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/polands-eurovision-entry-sparks-copyright-29976741).

### Ed Sheeran's Copyright Case - the Balance Between Protection and Creativity
Originally posted by The Conversation

Ed Sheeran's recent copyright case highlights the complexities of protecting musical compositions, with debates over what constitutes protectable elements and the potential impact on future creativity, emphasizing the delicate balance between safeguarding past originality and allowing for a common creative culture.

You can read the whole article [here](https://theconversation.com/what-ed-sheerans-copyright-court-case-win-means-for-songwriters-in-future-205354).

week 20

This Week In Review: Week 20

**RH – You began as a Government research scientist in the UK. How did you find the transition into IP?** 

 
 

NC -Initially it was a real culture shock coming from R&D and moving into IP. For me the logic systems were entirely different even though patents are supposed to be the IP protection for science and technology. There’s a disconnect, in my opinion, between the mind of a scientist/engineer compared to that of an examiner. My career has been spent trying to make it easier for this scientific/ STEM community to engage with the IP community. That's really where my enthusiasm still lies. 

 
 

**RH – This led to different roles at the EPO?** 

 
 

NC - When I first joined EPO as an examiner in the early 90’s we were given introductory sessions that explained the various EPO locations. The Munich headquarters, the Hague, Berlin, and a new office in Vienna just opening up that had to do with patent information. I thought that sounded interesting. But I parked that and started work in search examination in a lot of (new to me) technologies. I learned how to read loads of information in different languages and how to analyse these and to write critical and concise reports. Later, the opportunity came to work in Vienna with patent information. I saw this as great opportunity. My first job here was to coordinate the PATLIB (patent library) network in Europe. This led to forming relationships with the PATLIB centres and patent offices. It was a very stimulating job with a steep learning curve. I made many contacts and friends in the different offices and centres. They are still friends to this day, although we are all older. 

 
 

**RH- And then you went on to Espacenet?** 

 
 

NC- The team and I were the “face” and product champions for Espacenet. I worked with some really talented people, the back-end devs, the UI designers and the user support team. It was a great job as we introduced Espacenet, one of the earliest online patent databases, to the patent information community, and to anyone wanting to mine patent literature.  

 
 

**RH- When was this?** 

 
 

NC- Espacenet launched in 1998, I joined in 2002 because it needed dedicated marketing. We had a handful of developers in The Hague, a handful in Vienna working on the promotion of the tool. There was never a huge team. 

 
 

About six years ago there was a reorganisation and I was given the job of “patent research” which at the time wasn't very well specified. The EPO said: “you are from a research background so apply this to patent information”. 

 
 

**RH- Where did this lead?** 

 
 

NC – I focused on three areas. I observed the commercial patent information market to see who was doing what, and what was on the market . I looked at institutions, e,g. the European Commission, the OECD, to see how they used patent data. Then we got into the field of patent analytics. We created patent landscapes from the point of view of future and emerging technologies that were emerging from the labs & R&D, such as graphene, quantum, additive manufacturing, personalised medicine etc.  

 
 

We put together “patent insight reports” with patent examiners, who are the subject matter experts and external consultants who are the patent analytic experts, to create narratives on the emergence of these technologies. That was really very exciting. The idea here was to show the utility of patent information, to showcase examiners expertise, and the EPO data.  

 
 

We sought to make the approach transparent in order to give the reader the tools to apply the same methodology to other areas of technology.  

 
 

I managed to come up with the acronym for this, which we used at the EPO, ‘FETA’ – Future and Emerging Technology Analytics – if you employed it properly, it was a fait accompli! 

 
 

**RH- Ha! What were the last projects you were working on?** 

 
 

NC- One of the last two which is still ongoing, is the Fighting Coronavirus platform. This came about as I thought the EPO was doing a lot for the workforce by introducing remote working, web meetings, etc, and for the applicants as there are many concessions on things like deadlines, the provision of online opposition, etc. I felt that the office could do more for the general public, so I pushed for a platform where we could put together everything we knew about the patents associated with coronavirus; vaccines, diagnostics, treatments, medical technologies, etc - that was a big project. 

**RH- What are you up to now?** 

 
 

NC – I have my own consultancy where I am currently doing some work around the practice of patent offices, and I support IP helpdesks. In academia I am working with researchers on innovation and IP management and I develop training materials, and education programmes for other IP offices.  

What I want to do is to hopefully share some of my knowledge of IP and my learned experience. It’s rewarding to help people along , particularly those new to IP, to try and avoid, or at least lessen some of the culture shock I experienced when I left research and started working in IP. 

 

Nigel-Clarke.png

Community Spotlight: Nigel Clarke

### Highlights of INTA 2023
Originally posted by IAM

IAM collects its most interesting insights from last week's INTA 2023 Annual Meeting in Singapore.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.iam-media.com/article/inta-2023-annual-meeting-highlights-the-ground-in-singapore).

### Global Pirate Site Blocking: European Commission's Report Advocates for International Action
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

In a recent report, the European Commission has called for worldwide efforts in blocking pirate sites, urging countries globally to take action against copyright infringement. The report suggests a united international strategy to restrict access to infringing websites, highlighting the importance of cooperation between governments, internet service providers, and rightholders.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/european-commission-calls-for-pirate-site-blocking-around-the-globe-230524/).

### Supreme Court Ruling on Andy Warhol Case Raises Concerns for AI and Fair Use
Originally posted by Plagiarism Today

The recent Supreme Court ruling in the case between the Andy Warhol Foundation and photographer Lynn Goldsmith has significant implications for the fair use of generative AI. The ruling shifts the focus away from the primary factor of transformative nature and raises concerns for AI companies that have relied on this argument, as they may now face challenges regarding how their works interact with or substitute the original content.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2023/05/23/what-the-warhol-ruling-may-mean-for-ai/).

### Piracy Flourishes as Twitter Blue Introduces 2-Hour Video Limit
Originally posted by Mashable

Twitter Blue subscribers now have the ability to upload two-hour-long videos, resulting in users exploiting the feature for piracy by uploading full movies like "Shrek the Third." However, Twitter's lack of proper video features and copyright detection systems raises concerns about the suitability of the platform for longform video content.

You can read the whole article [here](https://mashable.com/article/twitter-2-hour-long-videos-twitter-blue).

### Landmark Ruling: Little Mermaid Cartoon and Photo Found Non-Infringing by Denmark's Supreme Court
Originally posted by AP News

Denmark's Supreme Court has ruled that a cartoon depicting The Little Mermaid statue as a zombie and a photo of the statue with a face mask did not infringe upon the copyright of the famous bronze sculpture. The court overturned previous rulings and stated that the newspaper's use of the images for journalistic and satirical purposes did not violate copyright law.

You can read the whole article [here](https://apnews.com/article/denmark-little-mermaid-copyright-ce2ed85c43aa0ab910bf1c80295b821c).

week 21

This Week In Review: Week 21

### Top Patent Filers in China Revealed: Huawei Leads the Way, State Grid Close Behind
Originally posted by IAM

Huawei has consistently been the top patent filer in China over the past five years. In 2022, Huawei filed 8,440 applications, while State Grid Corp followed closely behind with 8,385 applications. The top fields for Huawei and State Grid were electronic communications and electrical machinery, respectively.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.iam-media.com/article/huawei-leads-the-pack-in-patent-filings-in-china).

### UK Intellectual Property Office Clarifies Trademark Classification for NFTs and Virtual Goods
Originally posted by IPWatchdog

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has issued guidance on how to classify non-fungible tokens (NFTs), virtual goods, and services in the metaverse for trademark purposes. The UKIPO advises specifying the asset associated with an NFT and registering it in class 9, while virtual goods should be registered in class 9 regardless of the nature of the underlying goods, and virtual services should be classified under the corresponding real-life service with a reference to their online delivery. The UKIPO acknowledges the need to regularly update the guidance due to the fast-paced technological landscape.

You can read the whole article [here](https://ipwatchdog.com/2023/05/28/ukipo-issues-new-trademark-guidance-nfts-metaverse-virtual-goods/id=161378/).

### Grumpy Cat Takes Legal Action in Copyright Dispute with SlumDoge Millionaire in the NFT World
Originally posted by The Crypto Times

Grumpy Cat, a famous internet meme, is engaged in a legal battle against Twitter user SlumDoge Millionaire for allegedly infringing on its intellectual property rights by promoting the $GRUMPYCAT token without permission. The conflict highlights the growing significance of respecting intellectual property in the NFT space and could impact the relationship between NFT creations and copyrighted material.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.cryptotimes.io/copyright-wars-in-nfts-grumpy-cat-makes-its-move/).

### Maison Margiela's Numeric Trademark Rejected by EUIPO for Lack of Distinctive Character
Originally posted by Fashion United

Luxury label Maison Margiela's attempt to trademark the numerical sequence 0 to 23 has been rejected by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) as it lacks distinctive character and fails to indicate commercial origin, highlighting the need for trademarks to possess unique features. This decision serves as a reminder for designers and European Trademark applicants about the challenges of establishing acquired distinctiveness.

You can read the whole article [here](https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/maison-margiela-s-numeric-trademark-is-rejected-by-euipo/2023053169806).

### U.S. Patent Office Calls for Strategies to Combat Piracy and Counterfeiting in Public Roundtable
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office plans to hold a public roundtable to gather input on future strategies for combating piracy and counterfeiting, with a focus on addressing online copyright issues, while stakeholders may propose pirate site blocking as a potential solution. The agency recognizes the significant economic losses caused by piracy and seeks insights and suggestions from interested parties before considering new legislation or policies.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/u-s-govt-launches-consultation-on-future-anti-piracy-strategies-230530/).

week 22

This Week In Review: Week 22

### A myriad of challenges are driving Chief IP Counsel and in-house legal teams to rethink their traditional approaches to operations. From new hybrid work arrangements to economic uncertainty, law departments face increased urgency to improve how they support their business stakeholders across the IP lifecycle.

Law departments are challenging traditional operating models by adopting new resourcing models and more sophisticated technology. The 2022 Wolters Kluwer Future Ready Lawyer survey report shows “a significant and growing trend across legal departments over the past three years in ‘who’ does the work,” with changes including:

![MIPOPS1](https://storage.googleapis.com/righthub-cms-media-production/MIPOPS_1_45aaee68d1/MIPOPS_1_45aaee68d1.png)

Alternative legal service providers (ALSP) and managed legal services (MLS) are growing professional services categories that focus on bringing operational flexibility to the legal function. As corporate legal departments leverage law firms, business consulting firms and new provider entrants that are heavily investing in building new legal solutions, it is predicted that the ALSP and MLS market will grow to $25B by 2025.

Hyperion Research finds that the use of non-legal support services is likewise an important element of the Intellectual Property group’s operating model. Patent annuities (89%) and trademark renewals services (72%) are well-established and widely adopted. While areas that have generally been internally staffed are being outsourced, including docketing (44%), trademark and patent filing (44%), and paralegal services (28%).

![MIPOPS2](https://storage.googleapis.com/righthub-cms-media-production/MIPOPS_2_1fb6bca35c/MIPOPS_2_1fb6bca35c.png)

_Outsourced IP Services_

In combination with these resource changes, technology has become a critical enabler of the process improvements IP teams are implementing to improve their operations. Automation, PTO data interfaces, and AI are table stakes for innovative IPMS solutions that are seeking to address the increasingly sophisticated needs of IP departments. The challenge for many Chief IP Counsel is understanding the market and how to best approach integrating these technologies into their operations.

## ENTER MANAGED IP OPERATIONS
For most companies, IP operations have traditionally been supported by one of two approaches: an internal staff of IP professionals using an IP management software system; or a reliance on outside counsel to take responsibility for managing day-to-day activities including docket calendars and portfolio reports. In certain areas, such as patent annuities or global filing projects, point solution specialists have become well-established for transactional, outsourced services.

Today, these established models are being reconsidered in an effort to improve IP operations. A combination of multi-dimensional staff models and greater investment in technology are becoming the catalysts for new and improved ways to build valuable, cost-effective, and strategically aligned assets.

### Managed IP Operations Explained
Against this backdrop, intellectual property solution providers are introducing new solutions that combine process best practices, flexible staffing, and advanced technology that allow innovation and brand companies to reimagine how they build and manage their IP portfolios. Operations managers are empowered to go beyond the traditional operating models, and put into place more flexible managed IP operations that are responsive to the needs of IP teams and their stakeholders.

Managed IP Operations (MIPOps) defines a new solution category that transcends the “menu” approach in which support services and software are separate and disjointed. MIPOps integrates the core operational support resources with advanced IPMS technology to provide a single end-to-end platform.

With managed IP operations the inefficiencies and process risks inherent in the existing model of disconnected services and software, are eliminated. The IP team can build their operational support model with the optimal allocation of internal and external resources with full information connectivity provided by a common platform. As IP teams adjust to changes in their requirements, the managed IP operations model provides the needed agility to meet stakeholders demands with appropriate skill sets, scalability, and budget control.

![MIPOPS3](https://storage.googleapis.com/righthub-cms-media-production/MIPOPS_3_a62adb6c10/MIPOPS_3_a62adb6c10.png)

## USE CASES FOR MANAGED IP OPS
Hyperion Research data validates that the MIPOps model can be widely applied. In a recent survey of IP operations experts, we defined MIPOps as, “the combination of IP management software and IP services to provide a software platform that can be managed and maintained by experienced IP administrators without the need for in-house expertise.” Then we asked which services are best suited to MIPOps. While docketing came out on top, several other types of services were selected and 30% indicated that all of the services we mentioned could be handled under the Managed IP Operations model.

Survey responses were similarly widely distributed regarding the types of organizations that would benefit from the MIPOps model. Nearly half indicated that the model would benefit corporations and law firms of all sizes, and it is noteworthy that 83% saw applicability for corporations across the size spectrum.

### SERVICES BEST SUITED TO MANAGED IP SERVICES

![MIPOPS4](https://storage.googleapis.com/righthub-cms-media-production/MIPOPS_4_8419d4183d/MIPOPS_4_8419d4183d.png)

### BEST SUITED ORGANIZATIONS FOR MIPOPS MODEL

![MIPOPS5](https://storage.googleapis.com/righthub-cms-media-production/MIPOPS_5_6ecc2e743f/MIPOPS_5_6ecc2e743f.png)

![MIPOPS6](https://storage.googleapis.com/righthub-cms-media-production/MIPOPS_6_a0ffe3d65c/MIPOPS_6_a0ffe3d65c.png)

## ADOPTING MANAGED IP OPERATIONS
The need for IP teams to rethink their approach to operations is driving the opportunity for new service models. Managed IP operations (MIPOps) is emerging as a way for innovation and brand companies to address the challenges of existing operating models whose service and technology are inherently disconnected.

By adopting the MIPOps approach, IP teams can achieve a balanced, flexible operations structure that achieves the goals and objectives of creating valuable, cost-effective IP assets. In the pursuit of managed IP operations, we recommend the following steps: procedures, to provide the blueprint for building and executing a managed IP operations structure.

![MIPOPS7](https://storage.googleapis.com/righthub-cms-media-production/MIPOPS_7_4393be214d/MIPOPS_7_4393be214d.png)

## By providing a ground-up redefinition of how IP operations can be managed, MIPOps provides an approach that starts with integration of capabilities as a fundamental principal and puts in place an effective technology, services and governance infrastructure.

## WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Reach out to Helios: a RightHub Limited company, provides Managed IP Operations services to corporates and law firms. Offering an integrated technology and services platform, Helios is at the forefront of helping innovator and brand teams achieve greater operational efficiency and improved return on investment across the IP lifecycle. For more information please visit https://heliosip.com.

![Helios logo](https://storage.googleapis.com/righthub-cms-media-production/Helios_logo_33cd899e46/Helios_logo_33cd899e46.png)
 
Epiq’s Legal Business Advisory experts empower legal teams to re-envision the delivery of legal services, create necessary and data-driven strategies, and then provide legal services to help these teams execute their new strategies quickly and with ease. Among our areas of expertise, we have dedicated experts in the field of IP Advisory with more than 20 years experience in this industry as well as long-standing relationships with major IP management vendors. Learn more at https://www.epiqglobal.com.

![epiq logo](https://storage.googleapis.com/righthub-cms-media-production/epiq_logo_ce96e108f7/epiq_logo_ce96e108f7.png)
![hyperion gp research logo](https://storage.googleapis.com/righthub-cms-media-production/hyperion_gp_research_logo_af5119e3f2/hyperion_gp_research_logo_af5119e3f2.png)

Community-700x480-blogpost-v2 (1).png

IP Outsourcing and The Rise of Managed IP Services

### UPC: A Catalyst for Enhanced Patent Protection and Innovation in Europe"
Originally posted by Juve Patent

Industry experts express their anticipation and optimism regarding the Unified Patent Court (UPC). They believe that the UPC's implementation will lead to increased efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced patent protection, ultimately benefiting businesses and encouraging innovation in Europe.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.juve-patent.com/people-and-business/great-upc-expectations-voices-from-the-market/).

### GQ Italia Ordered to Pay Fine and Licensing Fee in 'David' Magazine Cover Lawsuit
Originally posted by Hyperallergic

Italy's Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism has won a lawsuit against Edizioni Condé Nast, the publisher of GQ Italia, for using an image of Michelangelo's "David" on their magazine cover without permission. The court ruled in favor of the ministry, stating that the magazine had debased and humiliated the artwork, and as a result, Edizioni Condé Nast is required to pay a licensing fee of €20,000 and a fine of €30,000.

You can read the whole article [here](https://hyperallergic.com/826046/florence-museum-wins-copyright-lawsuit-over-image-of-david/).

### Patagonia and Gap Reach Settlement in Fleece Jacket Lawsuit
Originally posted by Reuters

Outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia has settled its lawsuit against Gap, alleging that Gap had illegally copied Patagonia's "iconic" snapped flap pocket and rectangular logo on fleece jackets. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, and both companies dropped their claims as a result.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/gap-settles-patagonia-trademark-lawsuit-over-iconic-pocket-design-2023-06-01/).

### Japan Takes Stance: AI Model Training Does Not Violate Copyright
Originally posted by Decrypt

Japan has declared that using datasets to train AI models does not infringe copyright, allowing model trainers to use publicly available data without licensing or permission. This decision has sparked a debate within the art community about whether AI-generated art violates copyright, with some arguing it imitates and infringes upon original works, while others assert that AI art is unique and draws inspiration from publicly available information.

You can read the whole article [here](https://decrypt.co/143461/ai-art-wars-japan-says-ai-model-training-doesnt-violate-copyright).

### The Battle Against Copycat Cookbooks
Originally posted by Plagiarism Today

Cookbook author Joanne Lee Molinaro faces a case of imitation as a book with a confusingly similar title and design emerges, raising concerns about AI-generated "mockbuster" books and the need for trademark protection in the face of escalating abuses in the publishing industry.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2023/06/05/the-case-of-the-knock-off-cookbook/).

week 23

This Week In Review: Week 23

### New Amendment Strengthens Trademark Law in China Against Malicious Registration
Originally posted by IAM

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has proposed a draft amendment to the Trademark Law, introducing bad faith as a separate ground for refusing trademark applications. The amendment aims to strengthen trademark protection by including various acts of bad faith, such as applying for a large number of trademarks without intending to use them or infringing the rights of others, and imposing fines and damages to deter malicious applicants.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.iam-media.com/insight/market-insight/china#:~:text=New%20bad%2Dfaith%20invalidation%20clause%20to%20strengthen%20Trademark%20Law%20against%20malicious%20registration).

### Reggae Band Drops Copyright Lawsuit Against Dua Lipa Over 'Levitating'
Originally posted by Billboard

Artikal Sound System, the reggae band that accused Dua Lipa of copyright infringement in her song "Levitating," has dropped the lawsuit following a federal judge's dismissal of the case. The judge ruled that there was no evidence of access to Artikal Sound System's song, leading to the joint motion for permanent dismissal.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/dua-lipa-levitating-copyright-lawsuit-dropped-1235348897/).

### Artists and Marvel Reach Agreement, Ending Copyright Dispute over Superhero Character
Originally posted by Reuters

Marvel has reached a settlement with four artists in a copyright dispute over the ownership of superhero characters. The settlement resolves the legal battle, but specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/marvel-settles-with-four-artists-superhero-copyright-fight-2023-06-09/).

### Boeing Sues Intuitive Machines over Artemis Program
Originally posted by Space.com

Boeing has filed a lawsuit against NASA contractor Intuitive Machines, alleging intellectual property infringement related to the Artemis program and the Space Launch System (SLS). The lawsuit claims that Intuitive Machines used Boeing's proprietary information to develop its own lunar lander design, seeking damages and an injunction to halt further use of the alleged intellectual property.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.space.com/artemis-sls-boeing-intellectual-property-lawsuit).

### The IPBC Global 2023 Took Place This Week
Originally posted by IAM

The IPBC Global has kicked off on June 12th - a conference for over 600 senior thought-leaders and decision makers in IP.

You can read the whole article [here](https://events.iam-media.com/event/d6cdfafc-94cb-4e39-a553-caa6e772739d/summary).

week 24

This Week In Review: Week 24

### Lawsuit Accuses Twitter of Profiting from Copyright Infringement and Failing to Terminate Repeat Offenders
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

Major music publishers, including Universal Music, Sony Music, and EMI, have sued Twitter for enabling widespread copyright infringement. The publishers accuse Twitter of neglecting to respond to takedown notices and lacking a proper policy to terminate repeat infringers. They claim that Twitter profits from music piracy, monetizing infringing content while depriving rightsholders of compensation. The lawsuit demands maximum statutory damages for over 1,600 musical works, potentially amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/music-companies-sue-twitter-over-mass-copyright-infringement-230615/).

### Bipartisan US Bill Proposes Stripping Section 230 Immunity from AI Models, Holding Them Accountable for Content
Originally posted by The Economic Times

A bipartisan bill in the United States seeks to eliminate Section 230 immunity for AI models like GPT-3, potentially holding them liable for any harmful or misleading content they generate. The bill aims to address concerns about the accountability and responsibility of AI systems in the context of online content generation.

You can read the whole article [here](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/bipartisan-us-bill-would-end-section-230-immunity-for-generative-ai/articleshow/101000111.cms?from=mdr).

### Music Industry Giants Challenge Belgium's Copyright Reform in Constitutional Court
Originally posted by The IPKat

Spotify, Sony Music, and Streamz, among others, have challenged Belgium's copyright reform in front of the Constitutional Court. The reform introduced a non-waivable right to remuneration for authors and performers from streaming platforms, which is being contested by the music industry players.

You can read the whole article [here](https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2023/06/spotify-sony-music-and-streamz.html).

### Apple's Trademark Quest: Challenging Swiss Fruit Growers' Logo Rights
Originally posted by Wired

Apple's attempts to gain intellectual property rights over depictions of apples, including the logo of the Fruit Union Suisse, the oldest fruit farmer's organization in Switzerland, have raised concerns.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.wired.co.uk/article/apple-vs-apples-trademark-battle).

### USPTO Seeks Feedback on New Office Establishments, Extends Comment Deadline
Originally posted by IPWatchdog

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has republished its Request for Comments (RFC) regarding the establishment of a new regional office in the southeast region and four community outreach offices, extending the comment deadline. The RFC is in response to the Unleashing American Innovators Act and seeks input on location preferences, services, and engagement strategies for improving accessibility and support for inventors and stakeholders.

You can read the whole article [here](https://ipwatchdog.com/2023/06/14/new-deadline-usptos-rfc-establishing-community-outreach-regional-offices/id=162319/).

week 25

This Week In Review: Week 25

### Court Rejects Artist's Claim of Copyright Infringement in Banana Art Dispute
Originally posted by ARTnews

A federal judge in Miami ruled in favor of artist Maurizio Cattelan in a lawsuit filed by Joe Morford, who claimed that Cattelan's artwork Comedian, featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, infringed on his own artwork. The judge determined that there was not enough evidence to support Morford's claim and stated that the concept of affixing a banana to a vertical plane with duct tape is not protected under copyright law.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/maurizio-cattelan-wins-copyright-lawsuit-comedian-banana-1234671232/).

### Tokyo Court Orders Blogger to Compensate YouTuber for Copyright Infringement of Video Subtitles
Originally posted by Mainichi

The Tokyo District Court has ruled in favor of a YouTuber in a copyright infringement case, ordering a blogger to pay compensation for copying the YouTuber's video subtitles without permission. The court recognized the video subtitles as copyrighted material and concluded that the blogger's actions violated the Copyright Act.

You can read the whole article [here](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230613/p2a/00m/0na/010000c).

### Bad Bunny's Legal Team Fights Lawsuit Alleging Copyright Infringement
Originally posted by CNN Business

Bad Bunny, along with several other prominent music industry stars, is seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement of a 1989 song. The artists argue that the musical elements in question are not eligible for copyright protection.

You can read the whole article [here](https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/19/business/bad-bunny-reggaeton-lawsuit/index.html).

### Apple and Optis Face UK Court's Commercial Approach in FRAND Dispute
Originally posted by JUVE Patent

The UK High Court has issued a ruling in the Apple vs. Optis case, establishing a global FRAND rate for Optis' standard essential patents, including those related to 5G. The court took a commercial approach, deviating from previous judgments, and while some question the UK's significance for patent holders, it remains an important forum for such disputes.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.juve-patent.com/cases/uk-court-takes-commercial-approach-in-apple-to-optis-global-frand-rate/).

### Reddit Faces Request to Disclose Identities of Users in Film Piracy Lawsuit
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

Filmmakers involved in a lawsuit against Internet provider Grande are seeking the identities of Reddit users who made piracy-related comments, believing they hold key evidence. Reddit has once again objected, citing users' right to anonymous speech.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/filmmakers-take-reddit-to-court-again-to-unmask-piracy-commenters-230621/).

week 26

This Week In Review: Week 26

### German Court Hands Nokia Victory over Oppo After 20-Minute Wait
Originally posted by Managing IP
Nokia emerges victorious in a patent infringement case against Oppo, as the Mannheim court delivers a rare 20-minute bench judgment shortly after the hearing. The court dismisses Oppo's claim and orders them to cover Nokia's costs. The ongoing dispute revolves around determining a fair FRAND royalty for Nokia's patents, with Oppo accused of using Nokia's technology without appropriate royalty payments. In a separate case, Oppo had previously accused Nokia of infringing three patents in Munich, resulting in Oppo withdrawing from the German market after a successful injunction by Nokia. Nokia is actively enforcing the sales ban against third-party resellers of Oppo devices.


You can read the whole article [here](https://www.managingip.com/article/2buxi3yv9wpoiaicmw3k0/german-court-hands-nokia-victory-over-oppo-after-20-minute-wait#:~:text=Nokia%20has%20seen%20off%20a,close%20to%20the%20case%20revealed.).


### OpenAI Faces Lawsuit from Authors Over Unauthorized Use of Their Books
Originally posted by The Guardian
Two authors has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the organization of unlawfully using their books without permission. The authors claim that OpenAI's AI model, ChatGPT, was trained on their novels, which they argue is a breach of copyright law. The lawsuit raises concerns about the unauthorized use of literary works and the potential impact on authors' rights. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is facing legal action as it grapples with the allegations of copyright infringement and the implications for AI training methods.


You can read the whole article [here](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jul/05/authors-file-a-lawsuit-against-openai-for-unlawfully-ingesting-their-books).

### Intellectual Property Management Market to Reach $37.7 Billion, Globally, by 2032
Originally posted by Allied Market Research
Allied Market Research has published a report on the global intellectual property management market, indicating that it generated $8.6 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $37.7 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 16.3% from 2023 to 2032. The market is driven by factors such as rapid modernization and an increase in disputes, although rising protection and enforcement costs hinder growth. 


You can read the whole article [here](https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/intellectual-property-management-market-to-reach-37-7-billion-globally-by-2032-at-16-3-cagr-allied-market-research-301868750.html).

### Apple Fails to Invalidate Optis SEPs in UK Appeal
Originally posted by Law 360
Apple failed to convince judges to invalidate two wireless communications patents that Optis accused the company of infringing, leading Apple to take the dispute to the UK's top court. The Court of Appeal rejected Apple's arguments, upholding the High Court's judgment on patent claims and dismissing Apple's claims of lacking novelty or being obvious. Optis, the patent holder, alleged that Apple's iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch products infringed the standard-essential patents. 


You can read the whole article [here](https://www.law360.com/ip/articles/1695939/apple-can-t-get-optis-seps-invalidated-in-uk-appeal#).



### Burberry's Trademark Application Challenged by Mattel
Originally posted by Global Cosmetics News
Mattel has challenged Burberry's attempt to register BRBY as a trademark, claiming it would cause confusion with their Barbie brand. Mattel argues that BRBY is phonetically and visually similar to Barbie and holds federal trademarks for Barbie in various categories such as toys, clothing, cosmetics and jewellery. They believe BRBY would dilute their brand. 


You can read the whole article [here](https://www.globalcosmeticsnews.com/mattel-challenges-burberry-trademark-application/).

Community-700x480-27.png

This Week In Review: Week 27

We are excited to announce that RightHub has been honoured with the Scandinavian Legal Tech Company of the Year 2023 award.

This award recognises our commitment to the IP (intellectual property) field and to providing a comprehensive IP management solution that streamline the protection of rights.

At RightHub, our team comprises a diverse group of individuals who are united by a shared passion for making a positive impact in the world. We firmly believe that embracing and championing emerging technologies is pivotal in fostering inclusivity within our industry. Therefore, we continuously invest in cutting-edge technology to stay at the forefront of innovation.

Our CEO, Toni Nijm comments on the achievement:

>"Innovation is the lifeblood of human progress. Intellectual property is the framework that provides innovators a way to protect and monetise their ideas. Our vision is to build the all-in-one platform for protecting innovation and removing any friction along the way. Winning this award helps our momentum towards our vision and further confirms that our direction of travel is what the market is looking for."

We understand the challenges faced by organizations in protecting and maximizing the value of their intellectual assets. This award inspires us to innovate further and provide unparalleled support to our customers. We would like to express our gratitude to the organizers of the award, as well as our customers, partners, and dedicated team members who have contributed to our success. Together, we will continue to set new standards in IP management and make a positive impact on the global business landscape.

Community-700x480-blogpost-winner.png

RightHub Wins 'Scandinavian Legal Tech Company of the Year 2023' Award

### Comedian Sarah Silverman Joins Lawsuits Against OpenAI and Meta, Alleging Copyright Infringement by AI Models
Originally posted by The New York Times

Comedian Sarah Silverman has filed two class-action lawsuits against OpenAI and Meta, claiming copyright infringement. She alleges that the companies used her protected work without permission to train their AI models, and the lawsuits seek damages and potential changes to the AI programs involved.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/10/arts/sarah-silverman-lawsuit-openai-meta.html).

### Conviction in Denmark: Man Found Guilty of Sharing Pirated Content and Committing Fraud
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

A man in Denmark has been given a six-month suspended sentence for sharing over a thousand pirated eBooks and paywalled articles, in addition to being convicted of fraud and involvement in running a Plex server. The case highlights the consequences of copyright infringement and its potential progression to more serious offenses.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/six-month-sentence-for-sharing-pirated-ebooks-paywalled-news-articles-230628/).

### Crocs and Joybees Engage in Lawsuit Over Trade Secrets and Competition
Originally posted by 

Crocs and Joybees, both footwear companies, have filed lawsuits against each other in a U.S. court in Colorado, involving claims of corporate trade secrets, intellectual property infringement, and competition in the casual shoe market. The legal dispute includes allegations of unfair competition, anticompetitive behavior, and violations of intellectual property protections.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/crocs-rival-footwear-maker-joybees-clash-over-trade-secrets-us-court-2023-07-07/).

### Twitter Sends Cease-and-Desist Letter to Meta, Alleging Intellectual Property Violations in the Launch of Threads
Originally posted by Plagiarism Today

Twitter and Meta, the parent company of Instagram, are embroiled in a legal dispute as Twitter sends a cease-and-desist letter to Meta, accusing the company of misappropriating trade secrets and violating intellectual property rights in the development and launch of Threads, a new social networking service. The nature of the intellectual property claims remains vague, but trade secrets and potential copyright and patent infringement are likely points of contention.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2023/07/10/what-could-twitter-sue-treads-meta-for/).

### Moderna Expands Patent Battle, Sues Pfizer and BioNTech in Ireland and Belgium
Originally posted by JUVA Patent

Moderna has filed patent infringement lawsuits against Pfizer and BioNTech in the High Court in Dublin, Ireland, and the Brussels Commercial Court in Belgium, adding to the ongoing legal disputes between the three companies in multiple European countries, the US, and the UK. Moderna seeks damages over alleged infringement of mRNA vaccine technology patents.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.juve-patent.com/cases/moderna-targets-ireland-and-belgium-in-next-round-against-pfizer-and-biontech/).

week 28

This Week In Review: Week 28

### French News Groups Demand Twitter's Cooperation in Licensing Fees Dispute
Originally posted by RFI

French news publishers, including Le Figaro, Le Parisien, Les Echos, and Le Monde, have requested that Twitter representatives be summoned by judges in Paris due to a dispute over neighboring rights. The publishers want Twitter to negotiate licensing fees and provide data for calculating the amount of remuneration owed to them for the reproduction of their content. Failure to comply could result in Twitter being fined several million euros.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20230712-french-news-groups-take-twitter-to-court-over-digital-copyright).

### Vancouver Writer to Sue British Museum for Removing Poetry Translations Without Credit
Originally posted by ARTnews

Vancouver-based writer Yilin Wang has raised funds to initiate a legal claim against the British Museum, accusing it of copyright infringement for removing her poetry translations from an exhibition on nineteenth century China; Wang aims to seek proper credit, reasonable payments, and an apology from the museum.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/writer-translator-yilin-wang-legal-claim-british-museum-copyright-infringement-1234673656/).

### Shein Faces Lawsuit Alleging Massive Copyright Infringement and Racketeering
Originally posted by The Fashion Law

Chinese retail company Shein is facing a lawsuit accusing them of large-scale copyright and trademark infringement, as well as engaging in racketeering activities. Independent designers claim that Shein's algorithm-based system copies their works and produces exact replicas, causing substantial damage to their businesses, while Shein's decentralized corporate structure helps them avoid liability for intellectual property infringement.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.thefashionlaw.com/shein-named-in-copyright-racketeering-lawsuit-over-alleged-infringement-scheme/).

### Italy's Senate Unanimously Passes Law to Combat Piracy and Protect Copyright
Originally posted by Reuters

Italy's Senate has unanimously approved a law that allows swift action against unauthorized pirate networks streaming copyright-protected content, particularly live events like sports, enabling illegal platforms to be blocked within 30 minutes of receiving an order from the communication watchdog. The move is welcomed by Italy's soccer clubs and aims to protect copyright and combat piracy, with estimates suggesting that illegal access to live sports streaming events costs the industry around 290 million euros ($321 million) annually.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/italys-parliament-backs-tougher-rules-against-tv-piracy-2023-07-12/).

### João Negrão to Lead EUIPO as New Executive Director Following EU Council Vote
Originally posted by Juve Patent

Portuguese native João Negrão has been voted as the new executive director of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), succeeding Christian Archambeau. Negrão faces challenges ahead as the EUIPO deals with a decrease in trademark filings and its role in standard essential patents (SEPs) regulation.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.juve-patent.com/people-and-business/joao-negrao-to-become-new-executive-director-of-euipo/).

Week29.png

This Week In Review: Week 29

## This year, to celebrate National Intern Day, we talked to Ivan Stoyanov, one of our Junior Frontend Developers. Ivan's journey with us began as a Frontend Developer Intern, and his professional growth and contributions to RightHub have made him a true asset to our team.

**What were your titles during your internship and now as a full-time employee?**

Ivan: During my six months internship I was a “Frontend Developer Intern”. Now, as I transitioned to a full-time employee my role progressed to a “Junior Frontend Developer”. So, there weren't significant title changes.

**What do you think were the most valuable things you learned as an intern?**

Ivan: I believe in continuous learning and evolving, regardless of titles. Professional work taught me the importance of a strong work ethic, adaptability, critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making. The working environment at RightHub sharpened my skills, taught me to embrace change, and seek guidance when needed. I discovered how to leverage diverse skills, communicate and coordinate effectively with the team and the value of a warm and super friendly team culture.

**How did your colleagues support you during your internship?**

Ivan: During my internship, my colleagues provided invaluable support in various ways. They were always willing to answer my questions and offer guidance whenever I encountered challenges. They shared their expertise and knowledge, helping me understand the intricacies of the work and provide feedback. Additionally, they created a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, making me feel like a valued member of the team. Their encouragement and willingness to collaborate contributed significantly to my learning and personal development.

**Why did you choose to stay at RightHub as a full-time employee?**

Ivan: I am genuinely inspired by the opportunity to collaborate with a team of highly skilled and passionate professionals. The collective expertise and dedication of my colleagues at RightHub motivate me and definitely fuel my enthusiasm for further professional growth in Web Development. Working alongside them empowers me to continuously learn and contribute to meaningful real-world projects. I am excited to actively contribute to a positive impact within the company while driving growth and success through development of new innovative digital solutions.
 \
We're thrilled to have Ivan as part of our team, driving growth and making a positive impact with his expertise.
<br>

##  Our Community Manager, Lei Frisdahl Kristensen, who often provides mentorship and guidance for our interns, shares her thoughts on the internship culture at RightHub:

We have great experience with internships at RightHub, in fact a large part of our current, permanent employees have started in different types of internships.

For us, it's important that we have adequate resources to welcome the intern. We need to have time to prepare and execute an onboarding for the intern, so they feel welcome and as part of the team and the company. If we don't have the resources to make sure the intern takes away from the experience, as well as us gaining from the collaboration, then it's not the right time.

Then we also try to pair the intern with a primary mentor, so they know who to go to for questions and have someone they feel confident around in the beginning.

Internships are a fantastic way to see if there's a match from both sides. Our company culture is very valuable, and we want people who can see them selves in that environment and posses the same passion and engagement.

Ivan SToyanov 3.png

Intern Day at RightHub

### AI Chatbot Copyright Controversy: Daily Mail Sues Google Over Bard's Training Data
Originally posted by Digitalinformationworld (DIW)

Google is facing legal action from the owner of the Daily Mail for alleged copyright concerns regarding its AI chatbot, Bard. The media outlet claims that Google used its articles without permission to train Bard, ChatGPT's rival, leading to a lawsuit with estimates of hundreds of thousands of affected articles.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2023/07/googles-bard-to-soon-face-legal-action.html).

### Instagram Cleared of Copyright Claims on Embedded Photos by Appeals Court
Originally posted by Gizmodo

Instagram has been cleared of copyright infringement claims on embedded photos by an appeals court, stating that the embedded images are merely HTML links to the original content. However, conflicting rulings in similar cases raise the possibility of a future court battle.

You can read the whole article [here](https://gizmodo.com/instagram-wins-copyright-claims-case-on-embedded-photos-1850651894).

### Proposed Patent Eligibility Restoration Act Aims to Reform U.S. Patent System
Originally posted by JD Supra

Two proposed bipartisan bills, the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2023 and the Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership (PREVAIL) Act, aim to impact the patent litigation landscape and improve the U.S. intellectual property system. The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act seeks to overhaul patent eligibility by eliminating judicial exceptions and providing statutory exceptions, potentially leading to more predictable outcomes in patent eligibility disputes.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/takeaways-from-the-proposed-patent-9449137/).

### Google Faces $338.7 Million Penalty in Chromecast Patent Infringement Case
Originally posted by Apple Insider

Google has been found guilty of infringing on streaming video patents in its Chromecast devices and is ordered to pay $338.7 million in compensation to Touchstream Technologies, the aggrieved software developer. Google plans to appeal the verdict, claiming it developed the technology independently.

You can read the whole article [here](https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/07/24/google-loses-chromecast-patent-dispute-must-pay-338-million).

### Louis Vuitton Sued Over Unauthorized Use of Copyrighted Song in Ad Campaign
Originally posted by The Fashion Law

Fashion brand Louis Vuitton faces a new lawsuit for allegedly using a copyrighted song, "Por Alguien Como Tu," without authorization in a 2021 advertising campaign, leading to claims of copyright infringement and demands for monetary damages and injunctive relief from music publisher Discomoda U.S.A. Corp. and other co-authors of the song.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.thefashionlaw.com/louis-vuitton-hit-with-copyright-lawsuit-over-ad-campaign-music/).

Week 30.png

This Week In Review: Week 30

### Taco John's Surrenders "Taco Tuesday" Trademark to Taco Bell, Ending Legal Battle
Originally posted by Forbes

Taco John's, the Wyoming-based taco chain, has decided to give up its trademark on the phrase "Taco Tuesday" after facing legal challenges from Taco Bell. The move allows restaurants nationwide to use the phrase freely, ending the "Taco Tuesday" war and a marketing ordeal led by Taco Bell to "liberate" the term.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/07/18/taco-tuesday-war-ends-in-truce-taco-johns-ends-trademark-fight-with-taco-bell/?sh=71c7f4ce6ba5).

### Joseph Gordon-Levitt Calls for Mandatory Residuals from AI Training Data
Originally posted by The Hollywood Reporter

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt advocates for mandatory residuals to be paid to individuals whose work is used to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and applications. He argues that as AI threatens various professions, including Hollywood actors and writers, those who contributed data to train AI should receive fair compensation for their work.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/joseph-gordon-levitt-residuals-artificial-intelligence-1235545689/).

### Germany and US Lead in Unitary Patent Requests, EPO Dashboard Reveals
Originally posted by IPWatchdog

The European Patent Office (EPO) has launched a dashboard on Unitary Patents, revealing over 5,000 requests since its launch on June 1, with Germany and the United States leading in applications. The dashboard provides data on requests by technology field, country of origin, language of translation, proprietors’ profile, and registration status, indicating high interest in the new system.

You can read the whole article [here](https://ipwatchdog.com/2023/07/24/epo-launches-unitary-patent-dashboard-5000-requests/id=163984/).

### YouTube-Ripper Operator Appeals $83 Million RIAA Piracy Lawsuit
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

The RIAA secured a victory in its piracy lawsuit against YouTube-rippers FLVTO.biz and 2conv.com, demanding $83 million in damages. The platforms' operator, Tofig Kurbanov, has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, challenging the piracy liability ruling and damages award.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/youtube-rippers-appeal-of-riaas-83-million-piracy-win-moves-forward-230727/).


### Anthony Fantano Faces Legal Battle with Activision for Misusing Intellectual Property
Originally posted by NME

Anthony Fantano, the music critic, is being sued by Activision for allegedly misusing intellectual property laws and threatening to sue TikTok users who use the audio clip from his viral "Enough slices!" meme. Activision claims that Fantano deliberately made the clip available for use on TikTok, and the lawsuit seeks a ruling that he cannot sue users over the clip.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-needle-drop-critic-anthony-fantano-being-sued-by-activision-for-pizza-meme-audio-3473689).

week 31

This Week In Review: Week 31

### Revolutionary Anti-Piracy Legislation Enacted to Safeguard Film Industry in India
Originally posted by The Tribune

In India, the nation has recently approved a legislation criminalizing film piracy, imposing prison sentences and fines on perpetrators. Unauthorized film recording or transmission now constitutes a criminal act, with a minimum three-month and maximum three-year prison term, coupled with a fine and an extra penalty of 5% of the film's production cost. Alongside these punitive measures, the law grants authority to central and state governments to block websites engaged in digital piracy, offering rightsholders a means to counter unlawful distribution of their content.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/parliament-passes-historic-bill-to-criminalise-piracy-of-films-530803).

### Copyright Victory: Moonbug Awarded $23 Million in High-Profile Case
Originally posted by Kidscreen

Moonbug has been granted a significant $23 million in a major copyright case, underscoring the importance of protecting intellectual property. The ruling emphasizes the value of copyright enforcement in digital content landscapes.

You can read the whole article [here](https://kidscreen.com/2023/08/01/moonbug-awarded-us23-million-in-major-copyright-case/).

### Controversial Game 'The Last Hope' Pulled from Nintendo eShop Amid Copyright Dispute
Originally posted by Eurogamer

"The Last Hope: Dead Zone Survival," a game resembling "The Last of Us," has been removed from the Nintendo eShop due to a copyright claim by Sony. The game's trailers were also taken down, and despite initial availability, it garnered harsh criticism as an "absolute disaster," with Digital Foundry dubbing it one of the worst games ever tested.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.eurogamer.net/the-last-of-us-knock-off-removed-from-nintendo-eshop-as-sony-stakes-copyright-claim).

### Dua Lipa Faces $20M Copyright Claim Over 'Levitating' Remixes
Originally posted by MSN

Musician Bosko Kante has filed a multi-million dollar copyright claim against singer Dua Lipa for unauthorized use of his talk box recording in remixes of her hit single "Levitating." The lawsuit alleges that while Dua Lipa had permission for the original recording, subsequent remixes and performances utilized the talk box without authorization.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/dua-lipa-faces-copyright-lawsuit-over-hit-levitating/ar-AA1eG5Nh).

### AFP Sues Musk's X Social Media Over Payment Dispute for Content Distribution
Originally posted by Reuters

Agence France-Presse (AFP) has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's X social media platform, formerly Twitter, for allegedly refusing discussions on payment for distributing AFP's content. AFP cites France's "neighbouring rights" copyright law, while Musk criticized the claim, and X has not responded to comments.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/frances-afp-sues-musks-x-social-media-cites-refusal-discuss-payment-news-2023-08-03/).

week 32.png

This Week In Review: Week 32

### Copyright Solutions: Google and Universal Music Explore AI Music Licensing
Originally posted by Yahoo

Alphabet's Google is reportedly discussing an AI music licensing arrangement with Universal Music Group, aiming to allow fans to create "deepfake" songs using artists' voices and music. The potential agreement could address copyright concerns and offer artists royalties, while Warner Music is also exploring a similar tool.

You can read the whole article [here](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/google-negotiating-universal-music-group-060027352.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucGxhZ2lhcmlzbXRvZGF5LmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAD3KOqFNWMJeJxn_WQvjYLO7r05s5i4MeUBuoU-vMWOOWOBo7-N8WDGirvj-iuI1OSO0KYW4teRTvIFs7UqeAE7HWBQZtvCRzIhtL_QrUQ3DjmLTLlzO3NRc3uJlEYd_jjd69mMxDJ3aDDyQ4veNH_4e62RdsJykOEWaaA1sHe_-).

### Lawsuit Over 'Stranger Things' Copyright Ends with Resolution
Originally posted by Reuters

Netflix and the creators of "Stranger Things" have reached a resolution in a copyright lawsuit brought by screenwriter Jeffrey Kennedy, who claimed the show copied his screenplay. Kennedy's Irish Rover Entertainment dropped the lawsuit, with Netflix asserting that the case was meritless and independently conceived by the Duffer Brothers.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/netflix-stranger-things-makers-agree-end-screenwriters-copyright-lawsuit-2023-08-14/).

### Victory for Generics: EPO Revokes Novartis's Everolimus Patent
Originally posted by JUVE Patent

The EPO Boards of Appeal have revoked Novartis's patent for everolimus, a key ingredient in breast cancer drug Afinitor, due to lack of inventive step. The decision concludes a legal battle involving generic drug manufacturers and a pending appeal against other patents in the everolimus family.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.juve-patent.com/cases/epo-revokes-novartiss-everolimus-patent-in-major-victory-for-generics-companies/).

### Music Industry's $250M Copyright Lawsuit Against Twitter/X Sparks Legal Battle
Originally posted by Clayton County Register

Twitter's lack of music licensing deals has led to a $250 million copyright infringement lawsuit. Twitter seeks dismissal, claiming anti-infringement policies and refuting allegations of inducing copyright violations.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.claytoncountyregister.com/news2/elon-musks-x-files-motion-to-dismiss-music-publishers-250m-copyright-lawsuit-nmpa-says-platform-has-consistently-failed-to-stop-rampant-piracy/98619/).

### Internet Archive Copyright Dispute Nears Settlement with Proposed Judgment
Originally posted by Publishers Weekly

After a federal judge held the Internet Archive liable for copyright infringement, a proposed agreement is reached, emphasizing that the unauthorized scanning and lending of copyrighted books constitute infringement. The agreement includes a permanent injunction barring unauthorized scans, but the dispute over which books are covered by the injunction remains.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/92971-publishers-internet-archive-submit-proposed-judgment-in-copyright-case.html).


week 33

This Week In Review: Week 33

### YouTube and Music Labels Join Forces to Shape AI Music Strategy
Originally posted by The Verge

YouTube collaborates with music labels, including Universal Music Group (UMG), to define guidelines for handling AI-generated music on its platform, focusing on copyright protection and potential monetization. The platform plans to enhance its rights management system, Content ID, employ generative AI tools to detect rule-breaking videos, and work with an AI music incubator featuring artists like Anitta and Juanes from UMG.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/21/23840026/youtube-ai-music-copyright-monetization-universal).

### Massive YouTube Content ID Scam Culminates in 46-Month Sentence for Scheme Initiator
Originally posted by Torrentfreak

Two men, including initiator Webster Batista Fernandez, were sentenced for fraudulent exploitation of YouTube's Content ID system, falsely claiming song ownership and amassing over $23 million. Fernandez received a 46-month prison term, while partner Jose Teran got over five years, for one of the "largest music-royalty frauds ever."

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/lead-youtube-content-id-scammer-sentenced-to-46-months-230821/).

### US Federal Judge: AI-Generated Art Deemed Ineligible for Copyright
Originally posted by The Verge

US District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell has ruled that AI-generated art cannot be copyrighted, asserting that human authorship is a fundamental requirement for copyright claims, based on a lawsuit involving Stephen Thaler's attempt to copyright an AI-generated image created using the Creativity Machine algorithm he developed.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/19/23838458/ai-generated-art-no-copyright-district-court).

### SportsBay Hit With $493 Million Penalty for DMCA Violations, Court Rules
Originally posted by Torrentfreak

A Texas court has ordered SportsBay to pay nearly half a billion dollars for violating the DMCA, finding the operators liable for almost 2.5 million violations of the DMCA's anti-circumvention rules. DISH Network and Sling's lawsuit against unlicensed sports streaming sites led to the ruling against the alleged operators, Juan Barcan and Juan Nahuel Pereyra.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/court-orders-sportsbay-to-pay-almost-half-a-billion-dollars-for-violating-dmca-230815/).

### Office Depot Seeks $2 Million in Attorney Fees Following Copyright Lawsuit Victory
Originally posted by Reuters

Office Depot seeks over $2 million in attorney fees after winning against Infogroup's copyright infringement lawsuit, which claimed Office Depot misused proprietary data for new store locations, with U.S. District Judge ruling in favor of Office Depot due to the licensing agreement's terms not restricting data use.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/office-depot-eyes-2-million-attorney-fees-after-beating-copyright-claim-2023-08-22/).

week 34

This Week In Review: Week 34

### Getty Reverses Ban, Introduces AI-Generated Images
Originally posted by msn.com

Getty is entering the AI image market by introducing a generative AI tool that uses its own image database and offers royalty-free content. This move comes after Getty had previously banned AI art, and it aims to compete with other photography services incorporating AI solutions.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/getty-is-going-to-offer-ai-generated-images-after-all/ar-AA1hfai7).

### Sisvel Welcomes Huawei as Licensor in Cellular IoT Patent Pool
Originally posted by Business Wire

Huawei has joined the Sisvel Cellular IoT technology patent pool, contributing its patents to the pool, which already includes patents from 25 renowned innovators, to offer licenses for LTE-M and NB-IoT standards on fair and non-discriminatory terms. Sisvel has also unveiled new royalty rates for the pool, making it more accessible to device manufacturers and expanding its offerings to various product verticals.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230927917883/en/).

### X Corp Faces $250 Million Lawsuit Over Music Piracy
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

Music publishers are pursuing a lawsuit against Elon Musk's X Corp, alleging that the social media platform profits from widespread music piracy due to its lax response to takedown notices and lack of a termination policy for repeat infringers. X Corp filed a motion to dismiss the claims, setting the stage for a legal battle with potential damages of around $250 million.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/x-clearly-profits-from-widespread-music-piracy-labels-argue-230925/).

### USPTO Marks Milestone with Issuance of 1 Millionth Design Patent
Originally posted by uspto.gov

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued its 1 millionth design patent, a significant milestone in American innovation. The patent, granted to Agustina Huckaby of Fort Worth, Texas, is for the ornamental design of a dispensing comb, highlighting the importance of protecting unique product designs for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates/uspto-issues-milestone-1-millionth-design-patent).

### Vietnamese Anti-Piracy Efforts Target Streaming Platforms
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

Vietnamese government reported blocking 1,000 copyright-infringing sites in the past year, primarily targeting pirate live sports streaming platforms rather than movie and TV show piracy. Despite these efforts, the immediate effectiveness of site-blocking measures remains questionable, with some sites quickly switching domains, and concerns arise regarding illegal gambling advertisements on these platforms.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/under-hollywood-pressure-vietnam-cracks-down-on-live-sports-piracy-230927/).


week 39

This Week In Review: Week 39

### US Copyright Office Invites Public Input on AI and Copyright Matters
Originally posted by The Verge

The US Copyright Office is initiating a public comment phase to address copyright issues related to artificial intelligence (AI) starting on August 30th. The agency seeks insights on topics including AI's use of copyrighted data in training, copyrighting AI-generated content, liability implications, and potential violations of publicity rights.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/29/23851126/us-copyright-office-ai-public-comments).

### OpenAI Challenges Authors' Claims of Copyright Violation in Lawsuits Over ChatGPT Training
Originally posted by Reuters

OpenAI has requested a San Francisco federal court to dismiss certain portions of lawsuits filed by authors, including comedian Sarah Silverman, who claim that OpenAI violated their copyrights by using their books to train the ChatGPT chatbot. OpenAI argues that the text generated by ChatGPT does not infringe upon the authors' rights and has also contested allegations of copyright infringement related to the training process.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/openai-asks-court-trim-authors-copyright-lawsuits-2023-08-29/).

### DMCA Takedowns Extend to Users' Saved Links on Google, Prompting Concerns
Originally posted by Torretfreak

Google has been found to remove URLs from users' privately saved link collections, citing violations of its policy, due to the URLs being blocked by Google Search following DMCA takedown requests. This practice applies to both public and private link collections, raising questions about the impact on users' access to content and the extent of Google's content policy enforcement.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/google-removes-pirate-sites-from-users-privately-saved-links-230830/).


### Rapper Future Prevails as Court Dismisses Copyright Lawsuit Over 'When I Think About It' Song
Originally posted by Reuters

Rapper Future has successfully defended himself against a copyright lawsuit by another rapper, Gutta (DaQuan Robinson), over the song "When I Think About It." A Chicago federal court judge dismissed the case, ruling that despite some similarities in title phrases and themes, the songs did not exhibit enough similarity to prove copyright infringement.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/rapper-future-fends-off-copyright-lawsuit-over-mixtape-track-2023-08-28/).

### Nintendo Teams Up with Irdeto to Bolster Switch Security Against Piracy Using Denuvo Software
Originally posted by MSN

Nintendo is collaborating with cybersecurity company Irdeto to combat piracy on the Nintendo Switch by introducing Denuvo anti-tampering software, which will make it harder to emulate Switch titles on other devices. Despite potential benefits for Switch developers, Denuvo's history of performance issues, high costs, and past instances of cracked games raises concerns.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/nintendo-switch-developers-can-now-use-denuvo-to-curb-piracy/ar-AA1fG3X8).

week 35

This Week In Review: Week 35

We're delighted to introduce our two new team members, Lisa Rohan and Christian Hafner, joining RightHub today. Christian, a European Patent Attorney, and Lisa, an IP paralegal with 16 years of experience, have co-founded SwiPr, a venture simplifying patent renewals. We're proud to integrate SwiPr's expertise into RightHub.

Stay tuned as we explore their journeys and insights in the intellectual property landscape.

“I got to know both Lisa and Christian over the past 18 months or so and anyone who knows them has always been extremely complementary about them as individuals and professionals. Really happy to have them both join us and bring their capabilities and energy into the RightHub team” says Toni Nijm, CEO of RightHub.

We asked Lisa and Christian a few questions:

### Christian’s answers:

1.	Why did you join RightHub? 
First of all, developing products and working with AI (and especially Large Language Models) for various use cases and purposes in the IP space was something I could not say “No” to, so when Toni presented the idea, I was really “on” and totally game. The second and probably equally important reason is that I spend 8h+ on the job every day and I want to do it with fun people who like what they are doing (at least most of the time 😊) and that is the vibe I got from RightHub. 
 
2.	What are you going to work with at RightHub? 
I’m going to be taking the lead on a new and exciting platform largely powered by AI and workflow management with the objective of transforming the way IP attorneys innovate and create IP in a very collaborative way. We will be revealing some news very soon. Stay Tuned 😊.  
 
3.	How do you think the IP industry will look like in 5 years? 
I think the industry will change quite dramatically over the next few years, not the least because of the use of LLM’s, cloud and data connectivity. Hopefully the pricing and in many cases even the service accessibility will be more transparent, customer-oriented and simplified. RightHub’s objective is to become THE platform for future-thinking innovators and IP professionals and from that perspective, I think some aspects of the IP industry will have to change to align with the trends and development in other industries, such as becoming a lot more focussed on generating value than creating administrative burden to the customers and IP professionals. We want to drive that shift and mindset.
4.	Tell us a bit about your background?
I’m originally from Switzerland but moved to Sweden about 10 years ago to make it easy for our American friends😊. Work-wise, I am a Construction Engineer who became a European Patent Attorney and I have experience from working in the construction industry, among others in China, before I started my IP journey in Switzerland. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family and friends doing outdoor activities like mountainbiking/downhill, picking mushrooms, running, watching my daughter play football and so on.


### Lisa’s answers:

1.	Why did you join RightHub?
I had the opportunity to listen to and meet with Toni Nijm 1,5 years ago and felt curious about his vision and ideas for the future IP horizon that he presented a draft of at the seminar he held. Since I have been working both at an IP authority and an IP Law firm previously, it simply was appealing and caught my attention to hear about this new and somewhat different approach to the IP industry.   
 
2.	What are you going to work with at RightHub?
I will be focussing on certain special projects within the company that require deep IP knowledge, strong IP software orientation as well as customers’ workflows and pain points.
 
3.	How do you think the IP industry will look like in 5 years?
It’s hard to predict how far everything will have come in 5 years, since it’s already developing so rapidly. The future of our industry will surely change for the better to the client. A shift from more conservative and traditional ways of handling services to more effective tools and automatization, I believe it is inevitable and which is why RightHub is such an exciting company, that dares to take on that challenge. This, however, without losing the security and safety required due to the nature of our industry, of course.  
 
4.	Tell us a bit about your background?
I grew up in a half-Czech/half-Swedish family, and that should tell you about everything, right ;-)? Music has always been important to me and there were moments when I had ideas of having it as a profession in some way. I then discovered that the world is just full of other interesting things to get into and the IP industry opened the doors to meeting creative people that want to make a difference and I got hooked. In my free time I love taking long walks/runs, losing myself in a grand novel (it is a life saviour sometimes), but mostly to spend my free time together with my family and friends. 😊

Welcome, Christian and Lisa!

New staff_RH_LinkedIn_4.9.2023.jpg

Welcome Christian and Lisa at RightHub

### Pfizer and BioNTech Challenge Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine Patents in Ongoing Legal Battle
Originally posted by Reuters

Pfizer and BioNTech have submitted petitions to the U.S. Patent Office's Patent Trial and Appeal Board to invalidate two Moderna patents related to COVID-19 vaccine technology, asserting that these patents are excessively broad and cover ideas that were known well before their 2015 invention date. This challenge is part of an ongoing legal battle between the pharmaceutical giants, with Moderna having previously accused Pfizer and BioNTech of violating its messenger-RNA vaccine technology patents.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/pfizer-biontech-challenge-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-patents-us-patent-office-2023-08-28/).

### Dish Expands Legal Battle with iFit Over Streaming-Video Patents
Originally posted by Reuters

Dish Network has expanded its legal battle with iFit, accusing iFit's fitness machines, including stationary bikes and treadmills with video-streaming capabilities, of infringing on Dish's newly issued streaming-video patents in Delaware federal court.
Dish Network adds a new dimension to its legal dispute with iFit, alleging that iFit's fitness equipment infringes on recently granted streaming-video patents related to adaptive bitrate streaming, while seeking damages and an injunction in Delaware federal court.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/dish-expands-us-patent-fight-with-ifit-over-streaming-video-tech-2023-09-01/).

### Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion Prevail in Lawsuit Alleging Lyric Plagiarism for Hit Songs
Originally posted by Billboard

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion have won a lawsuit in which they were accused of plagiarizing lyrics from an earlier track for two of their songs; a Manhattan federal judge ruled that the contested lyrics were too unoriginal to be protected by copyright law, as they were common phrases frequently used in popular culture and other hip-hop songs.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion emerge victorious in a copyright lawsuit, as a judge deems the contested lyrics too unoriginal to warrant copyright protection.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/cardi-b-megan-thee-stallion-beat-wap-copyright-lawsuit-1235405204/).

### Second Lawsuit Targets OpenAI and Microsoft for Misuse of Personal Data in AI Development
Originally posted by Reuters

OpenAI and Microsoft are facing a second class-action lawsuit in San Francisco federal court, alleging violations of privacy laws in developing ChatGPT and other generative AI systems, with claims that the technology was trained using stolen personal information from millions of internet users; the lawsuit, filed by Morgan & Morgan, closely resembles an earlier case filed by Clarkson Law Firm in June, focusing on privacy, property, and consumer rights violations.
OpenAI and Microsoft are hit with a second class-action lawsuit, accused of training their AI systems using unlawfully acquired personal data, raising concerns about the misuse of private information.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/openai-microsoft-hit-with-new-us-consumer-privacy-class-action-2023-09-06/).

### Danish Job-Search Firm Jobindex Sues Google for Copyright Violations
Originally posted by Reuters

Google faces a copyright lawsuit from Danish online job-search rival Jobindex, alleging that Google copied job advertisements to its own service without permission, citing copyright violations and seeking compensation under new EU copyright rules. Jobindex's lawsuit, the first of its kind in Danish courts under the new rules, comes after the company had previously complained to EU antitrust regulators about Google's alleged unfair favoritism toward its own job-search service.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-hit-with-copyright-lawsuit-by-danish-online-job-search-rival-2023-08-31/).

week 36

This Week In Review: Week 36

### U.S. Copyright Office Denies Copyright Protection for AI-Created Artwork - Again
Originally posted by Reuters

The U.S. Copyright Office has once again denied copyright protection for art generated using artificial intelligence, rejecting artist Jason M. Allen's request for copyright coverage for an award-winning image created with the generative AI system Midjourney, citing it wasn't a product of human authorship; this decision follows previous rejections, including artist Kris Kashtanova's AI-generated images for a graphic novel and computer scientist Stephen Thaler's autonomous AI-generated image.
The U.S. Copyright Office has declined to grant copyright protection for an AI-generated artwork, stating it lacks human authorship, continuing its stance against AI-generated creations.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-copyright-office-denies-protection-another-ai-created-image-2023-09-06/).

### U.S. Appeals Court Backs Apple in Masimo Patent Dispute Over Apple Watch Tech
Originally posted by Reuters

A U.S. appeals court has upheld decisions by the U.S. Patent Office to invalidate parts of several patents owned by health-monitoring company Masimo, including those related to technology used in Apple Watches. This decision is part of an ongoing legal dispute in which Masimo accuses Apple of incorporating its technology into Apple Watch models.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-court-upholds-rulings-apple-masimo-smartwatch-patent-fight-2023-09-12/).

### Grammy CEO Excludes AI-Generated Drake Song from Award Eligibility Over Copyright Concerns
Originally posted by Cointelegraph

The CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., clarified that an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated Drake song is not eligible for a Grammy award due to issues with vocals not being legally obtained or cleared by the label or artist, and the song's lack of commercial availability. Mason Jr. emphasized the Academy's commitment to supporting human artists and creators and stressed that AI-generated music must meet specific criteria to qualify for Grammy consideration.

You can read the whole article [here](https://cointelegraph.com/news/grammy-ceo-ai-drake-song-ineligible-for-award).

### Grupo Modelo and Constellation Brands Resolve Trademark Battle Over Modelo Reserva Beers
Originally posted by Reuters

Grupo Modelo, owned by AB InBev, has resolved a trademark lawsuit with Constellation Brands, ending a dispute over the sale of unauthorized bourbon- and tequila-barrel Modelo Reserva beers in the United States, with Constellation agreeing to cease selling these particular beers but retaining rights to other "Modelo Reserva" named products. The lawsuit stemmed from Modelo's claim that these beers violated branding agreements and laws governing the use of the word "tequila."

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/modelo-constellation-end-trademark-fight-over-modelo-reserva-beers-2023-09-11/).

### Japanese YouTuber Convicted of Copyright Violation for Uploading Monetized Videos
Originally posted by The Verge

A Japanese court has sentenced Shinobu Yoshida to two years in prison and fined him 1 million yen (about $6,700 USD) for copyright infringement after he uploaded gameplay and anime videos without permission and monetized them, violating Japanese law. Yoshida's actions were deemed malicious as they included uploading videos that condensed and spoiled anime episodes and gameplay, a first-of-its-kind conviction in Japan, with Yoshida admitting to knowing the illegality of his actions during the trial.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/7/23863271/japanese-youtuber-lets-play-copyright-infringement-steins-gate).

week 37

This Week In Review: Week 37

###  UK Judge Utilizes AI for Legal Judgments 
Originally posted by Max Walters, IP Management

Lord Justice Colin Birss, a judge at the England and Wales Court of Appeal, used ChatGPT to assist in writing a portion of a judgment, marking the first known use of AI by a UK judge. While this sparked concerns and debates about AI's role in the legal system, Lord Birss used ChatGPT cautiously, requesting a summary of a familiar area of law rather than relying on it for critical content, demonstrating that AI can help expedite legal processes when used carefully.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.managingip.com/article/2c7neoasq3z24rk3967eo/weekly-take-ip-judges-chatgpt-use-was-jolly-good-for-now).

### Sonos Scores Another Victory Over Google in Patent Dispute
Originally posted by The Register

In a long-lasting legal battle between Sonos and Google, an International Trade Commission (ITC) judge dismissed Google's copyright infringement claims against Sonos regarding four patents. The judge determined that Sonos had successfully demonstrated the invalidity of the patent claims brought by Google, marking another victory for Sonos in their ongoing legal disputes with Google over intellectual property.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/18/sonos_google_patent_victory/).

### Taiwan Sees Surge in 'Green' Trademarks, Reflecting Eco-Friendly Trend
Originally posted by IAM Media

The Taiwan IP Office (TIPO) has released a report on the rise of 'green' trademarks over the past decade, revealing that these environmentally friendly trademarks accounted for approximately 15% of all trademark applications during this period, reflecting a growing focus on sustainability in the intellectual property and business sectors. The report highlights the top categories for green trademark applications, with energy saving, pollution control, and energy products being the most prominent areas, and identifies Uni-President Enterprise, Apple, and Alibaba Group as the main applicants for green trademarks in Taiwan. Additionally, the report suggests that implementing green trademark strategies can help businesses align with international climate change and net-zero emission goals while attracting environmentally conscious consumers.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.iam-media.com/article/apple-alibaba-and-uni-president-enterprise-among-top-filers-green-marks-in-taiwan).

### Ownership Disagreement: DC Rejects 'Fables' Public Domain Assertion by Creator
Originally posted by IGN

Bill Willingham has declared that he has released his hit comic series "Fables" into the public domain, citing a breakdown in his business relationship with DC Comics, prompting DC to dispute his claims and assert their ownership of the property while indicating a readiness to protect their intellectual property rights through legal action.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.ign.com/articles/dc-fables-comic-book-series-not-in-public-domain-despite-creators-claims).

### ImmerVision Inc. Sues Apple for Royalties Amid iPhone 15 Launch
Originally posted by Christopher Yasiejko, Bloomberg Law

Apple Inc. initiated preorders for its four iPhone 15 models on Friday, but before noon, the tech giant faced a lawsuit filed by ImmerVision Inc., a Canadian tech company, seeking royalties for purported patent infringement related to an ultra-wide lens. ImmerVision already has three ongoing cases in Delaware federal court, accusing various iPhone models and the iPad Pro 2021 of infringing patents connected to the lenses in Apple's flagship devices.

You can read the whole article [here](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/apples-iphone-15-targeted-by-patent-suit-hours-into-preorders).

Community-700x480-38.png

This Week In Review: Week 38

###  Caltech Ends Wi-Fi Chip Patent Lawsuit Against Apple and Broadcom
Originally posted by Reuters

The California Institute of Technology has reached an agreement to end a patent lawsuit against Apple and Broadcom over Wi-Fi chips, filed in 2016, alleging patent infringement by Apple devices. Caltech has decided to dismiss the billion-dollar case with prejudice, following a jury's previous award of $837.8 million to Apple and $270.2 million to Broadcom in 2020, which was later overturned and led to a scheduled trial being postponed indefinitely.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/caltech-ends-high-stakes-us-patent-fight-with-apple-broadcom-2023-10-12/).

###  Pet Shop Boys Call Out Drake for Uncredited Interpolation of "West End Girls"
Originally posted by Billboard

The Pet Shop Boys have criticized Drake for not crediting them when he interpolated their 1986 hit "West End Girls" on his song "All the Parties" from his album "For All the Dogs." The English synth-pop duo took issue with the lack of credit or permission for the use of their song's chorus in Drake's track.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/pet-shop-boys-drake-all-the-parties-west-end-girls-1235436195/).

###  Supreme Court Declines to Rule on Celebrity Persona Use in Movies as Trademark Infringement
Originally posted by The Fashion Law

The Supreme Court will not rule on whether the Lanham Act applies to the unauthorized use of a celebrity's persona in a commercial movie as trademark infringement, a case brought by Paule McKenna, the estate executor of actor Christopher Jones, against Sony Pictures Entertainment. In the lawsuit, McKenna argued that Sony's use of Jones's name and likeness in the film "Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood" violated the Lanham Act, but the California Court of Appeal found that there was no protectable trademark or trade dress interest in Jones's name and likeness.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.thefashionlaw.com/supreme-court-wont-decide-trademark-case-over-celebrity-persona/).

###  Reddit's Copyright Takedown Notices Increase While User Bans Drop
Originally posted by TorrentFreak

Reddit's latest transparency report reveals an increase in copyright takedown notices but a decline in user and subreddit bans related to copyright infringements, with Reddit attributing the decline to prior suspensions for other policy violations.

You can read the whole article [here](https://torrentfreak.com/reddit-sees-copyright-takedowns-peak-while-subreddit-bans-drop-231007/).


###  Samsung Files Lawsuit to Challenge Netlist's Patent Claims
Originally posted by Reuters

Samsung has initiated a lawsuit in a Delaware federal court, seeking a ruling that its memory modules do not infringe Netlist's patent or a declaration that Netlist failed to offer fair license terms for the technology in question, following Netlist's previous $303 million win in a separate case over technology used in high-performance computing.

You can read the whole article [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/samsung-files-new-lawsuit-against-netlist-computer-memory-patent-fight-2023-10-11/).

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This Week In Review: Week 41