NIPC News

  Jane Lambert On Thursday 8 Feb 2024 I shall take part in a panel discussion on damages issues in IP and life sciences disputes  as part of the Global Arbitration Review's Damages symposium .   I share the platform with very distinguished practitioners.  There will also be talks on simplifying evidence for tribunals, a question time and plenty of networking opportunities.   Anyone who wishes to attend can register here, There is growing interest in arbitration and other forms of ADR for the resolution of intellectual property and technology disputes. In  WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Centre Report 2023   (19 Jan 2024 NIPC News ), I noted that the World Intellectual Property ("WIPO") Arbitration and Mediation Centre reported that it had disposed of 679 disputes in 2023 which was a 24% increase over the previous year and a 280% increase in the last 5 years (see  WIPO ADR Highlights 2023  18 Jan 2024). There are several reasons for t...

Jane Lambert Before he began his distinguished career in the WIPO, Francis Gurry  was best known for a rather good book on the law of confidence .  It is now in its second edition having been updated and edited by Tanya Aplin, Lionel Bently, Phillip Johnson, and Simon Malynicz. Although the law of confidence can be used to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of any kind of secret information, it is the legal mechanism by which trade secrets are protected in the United Kingdom.  It is probably the most widely used means of protecting investment in innovation and creativity in this and other common law countries. The law of confidence offers a number of advantages over patents and other registered rights.  It is free. It arises whenever information the use or disclosure of which would benefit the confidant or harm the confider is imparted in circumstances that give rise to an obligation of confidence. It cannot be revoked as a patent can and t...