US - Software Patents

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In view of the recent Supreme Court Decision in Alice Corporation Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank International, et al.”, the USPTO has issued Preliminary Examination Guidelines in relation to subject matter eligibility of claims relating to computer-implemented ideas.

Click here for a copy of the decision: http://www.uspto.gov/patents/announce/alice_v_cls_sct.pdf

Click here for further information on the USPTO guidelines: http://www.uspto.gov/patents/announce/alice_pec_25jun2014.pdf

The guidelines will be refined further based on feedback that has been requested by the USPTO from the public on the matter.

CANADA-TRADE-MARKS

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CANADA-TRADE-MARKS
A recent bill proposes major changes to the Trade-Marks Act.  Some of the significant changes being proposed include:

  • Adoption of the Nice Classification of goods and services
  • Expansion of the definition of a trade-mark
  • Reduction of term of trade-mark from 15 years to 10 years
  • No longer a requirement to state that the mark has been used, or is intended to be used, in Canada
  • No longer a requirement to file a Declaration of Use

For more information please click on link:  http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&DocId=6495200&File=407