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“Patent Families” in the Pharmaceutical Industry

“Patent Families” in the Pharmaceutical Industry

After our last class this morning on patents, I came across this article where Incannex Healthcare filed a patent application to protect a certain drug’s (IHL-42X) clinical program. This reminded me of our discussion today, where we learned that patents can be filed for a combination of previously patented items, so I figured I would […]

Air Fryers and Patents

Air Fryers and Patents

After our class today on patents, I wanted to see whether it applied to my current favourite cooking appliance, air fryers! I found the link online to one of the patents for air fryers that show the history of that patent and the photos as well. I have attached the link below: https://patents.google.com/patent/US4817509A/en Additionally, I […]

We’re Only in it to Not Get Sued!: A Brief Exploration into the Fair Dealing Defence for Parody Purposes

We’re Only in it to Not Get Sued!: A Brief Exploration into the Fair Dealing Defence for Parody Purposes

In the spring of 1968, The Mothers of Invention released their third studio album We’re Only in It for the Money. The album contained a blend of music and satire that was already distinctive to the band’s lead songwriter and guitarist, Frank Zappa. The lyrics of the record aimed at large chunks of society, including […]

Personalized Medicine and Patent

Personalized Medicine and Patent

(photo from: https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-turning-discovery-into-health/personalized-medicine) Biotechnology has been a significant area for patent applications. Who does not like the idea of anti-aging or curing cancers? The idea of personalized medicine has been around for years. It means, instead of a universal drug for a disease, the scientists analyze a patient’s personal genetic profile and make the “cocktail” […]

Unfair Fashion: Expanding Trademark Law to Protect Designers

Unfair Fashion: Expanding Trademark Law to Protect Designers

This paper will demonstrate how the current status quo on copyright and trademark in fashion law is detrimental to modern online small fashion brands which are wrongly seen as utilitarian rather than artistic. This applies to those which gain popularity from social media, or whose presence is mainly online or otherwise created by modern technology. […]

A Prominent Local Company’s Patent Troubles?

A Prominent Local Company’s Patent Troubles?

In this presentation post, I want to share a recent development concerning AbCellera that I came across in the news. AbCellera exploded into the biotech scene in recent years, with its involvement in antibodies against COVID-19 making a particular impression. Not only that, AbCellera is a point of pride for Vancouverites – it is a […]

Passing Off Scotch!

Passing Off Scotch!

I was picking up a bottle of scotch for my brother’s birthday earlier this week and I couldn’t escape comparing Scotch to the Institut National case we discussed. Of course Institut National was a case dealing with champagne and the goodwill in it. In Institut National, the facts describe how French Law provides a definition […]

IP and Frappucinos

IP and Frappucinos

After we learned about trademark infringement last week, I came across this case where Starbucks was suing a local coffee shop in India, LOL Cafe, for serving Frappucinos without their consent. Starbucks owns the mark ‘Frappucino’ and argued that LOL Cafe’s “Brownie Chips Frappucino” was dishonest and used to deceive an unwary customer.   Per […]

Banksy: “Copyright is for Losers”

Banksy: “Copyright is for Losers”

In his 2005 book, Wall and Piece, Banksy famously wrote that “copyright is for losers,” underpinning his anti-establishment stance. However, despite this claim regarding copyright, Banksy may need to use copyright infringement if he wants to prevent Guess from further using his work without his permission. Recently, Banksy has claimed that Guess has used his designs […]