Publication
Horizon Scanning: Investigations and Enforcement
In this horizon scan, we focus on key developments affecting companies operating in the UK, including in light of the recent change in UK government.
Global | Publication | June 2016
Privilege extended to communications between patent and trade-mark agents, and their clients
On June 24, 2016, amendments to the Patent Act and Trade-marks Act extending privilege to certain confidential communications between registered patent or trade-mark agents and their clients went into force. The protections will extend to existing communications that are not already part of a trial. These provisions were part of Bill C-59, as part of the 2015 budget.
Unlike “merely” confidential communications, privileged communications are generally protected from being compelled as evidence at trial. Such protections already existed in certain communications between lawyers and their clients, but did not extend to patent or trade-mark agents. This created situations of ambiguity where lawyers, who were also agents, communicate with their clients regarding patents or trade-marks. By now extending privilege to patent and trade-mark agents, these provisions provide recognition of the importance of intellectual property protection and, in particular, the need for frank and candid discussions between agents and their clients.
Publication
In this horizon scan, we focus on key developments affecting companies operating in the UK, including in light of the recent change in UK government.
Publication
As you begin planning for the upcoming financial year, it is likely that legal operations projects are on your radar. However, securing the necessary budget can be challenging. Our roundtable on October 1, ‘Preparing for FY2025 - Building a compelling business case’, will help you create compelling business cases for your legal initiatives.
Publication
On 3 September 2024, the ECJ delivered its judgment in Illumina’s appeal against the General Court’s (GC) judgment confirming the European Commission’s (EC) powers to review concentrations under the EU Merger Regulation (EUMR) in circumstances where no Member State has jurisdiction under national law.
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