Last May 2018, the European Commission proposed to amend Regulation (EC) no. 469/2009 on complementary protection certificates (CPC). If adopted, such amendment will affect European patent rights in the pharmaceutical sector. More specifically, the Commission proposed the introduction of Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) to boost investment in the development and manufacture of biosimilars and generics (“the Proposal”). Medicinal products can be marketed in Europe after obtaining an authorization from the competent administrative authority (in Italy, AIFA). Since such authorization generally...

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By Melissa Manna | Ogletree Deakins Effective September 11, 2018, adjudicators for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will have the authority to deny any application or petition that is incomplete or lacks sufficient evidence without first issuing a request for evidence (RFE) or notice of intent to deny (NOID). The new guidelines are a reversal of the current policy, which requires that an RFE be issued unless there is “no possibility” that the deficiency can be remedied. Depending on the vigor with which it...

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By Steve Pasierb | President & CEO | The Toy Association Member concerns about IP infringement and resulting potential risks to toy safety via online platforms are real and mounting. We’ve been working alongside our IP Protection Committee with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Senate Finance Committee staff, and representatives from leading e-commerce platforms, like Alibaba and Amazon, to raise member concerns and explore solutions, with the goal of ensuring that only safe, compliant...

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By Dr. Thomas Griebe |Matthias Pallentin Whistleblowers: some consider them traitors; others see them as modern heroes. By issuing a recent proposal, the EU Commission has at least taken a position on improving (minimum) protections for whistleblowers and, above all, ensuring these protections are uniform throughout Europe. Originally developed by the Council of Europe, the principles should protect not only whistleblowers acting with good intentions but also those who suffer harm as a result of false or malicious reports. As such, they will...

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By Sam Natapoff,  President of Empire Global Ventures LLC (EGV) The coming red state ruination is no accident; our partners are making a point, economic aggression affects us all. For President Trump, all questions have simple answers: U.S. “immigration laws are the weakest and worst anywhere in the world”, the Mueller investigation is a “rigged witch hunt”, and “trade wars are good, and easy to win”. While many of Trump’s presidential actions will have negative consequences over time, for his burgeoning...

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Overall, 86,786 international students participated in an intensive English program (IEP) in the United States in 2017, according to recently released IIE data. IEP programs in United States are offered by higher education institutions and independent providers, and are one way for international students to initiate their education in the United States. In 2017, 51 percent of IEP students intended to further their study in the United States following the completion of their program.  The latest figures represent a 20 percent decline...

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By Chris Knight | European Investment Bank  Titanium recycling plant preserves an important resource, as well as protecting the climate. Titanium is named after the powerful Titans of Greek mythology. That’s because of its great strength. It’s also light, doesn’t corrode, and bends without breaking. Those properties make it a strategic raw material for many products, including aeroplane body parts, missiles, spacecraft and defence armour. The problem is that it is not easy to buy titanium in Europe or find an economical way to recycle...

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We thought you'd be interested in the following article as it highlights the urgency of booking in advance to peak season: Trans-Pac rates jump on rising imports Despite uncertainty in the global arena, and specifically involving consumer merchandise imports from China, volumes continue to inch up over last year’s record numbers. At the same time, the spot rate for shipping an FEU from Shanghai surged 30.2 percent to the East Coast and 16.7 percent to the West Coast, according to the...

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VULCAN VIEW - KEY EVENTS THIS WEEK: BREXIT European Commission issues “no deal” Brexit contingency planAfter a fortnight of political turmoil in UK, the European Commission has called on member countries to step up preparations for a “no deal” Brexit. In a published 15-page document, Brussels warned that a “no deal” scenario seemed increasingly likely and detailed the “significant disruption” to be expected for both business and individuals. The warning offers a blunt analysis of the potential economic and social implications of the...

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