Navigating the Metaverse: Design Protection’s Exciting New Frontier
The metaverse is more than just a digital space; it’s an expansive universe. Every month, 400 million users dive in, their digital avatars exploring 3D worlds, powered by virtual and augmented realities. They attend concerts, purchase goods, play sports, build homes and live lives here. As Mark Zuckerberg once said: “[The] Metaverse isn’t a thing a company builds. It’s the next chapter of the internet overall.”
Seeing the obvious trajectory of these trillion-dollar spaces, industries like gaming, retail, arts, healthcare, and blockchain are participating in this emerging ecosystem. From Nike to Gucci, brands are designing clothes and accessories for the metaverse. Even J.P. Morgan and Samsung have set up shop.
Court assesses lung cancer drug patent infringement by the company.
In Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha and Hoffmann-La Roche AG v Frensenius Kabi Oncology Limited and Fresensius Kabi India Private Limited, the plaintiff, Chugair Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha (CSKK) sought a permanent injunction against Fresenius Kabi Oncology Limited (FKOL) and Fresensius Kabi India Private Limited for infringing its Indian patent protecting Alectinib, an oral drug used to treat a certain type of non-small-cell lung cancer.
CSKK and its exclusive licencee, Hoffmann-La Roche, contended that, in May 2021, FKOL imported Alectinib and exported Alectinib hydrochloride. CSKK further contended that an independent online investigation revealed various online listings of FKOL for a generic version of Alectinib on the Pharma Compass and Chemical Book websites.
Filing the SoW by September 30 is crucial for patentees & licensees
In the intricate landscape of patent law, the filing of statements of working (SoW) of patents aka working
statements stands out as a unique requirement in India, necessitating patentees and licensees to annually report
the commercial utilization of their patented inventions.
This obligation stems from Section 83 of the Indian Patents Act, 1970, which lays out the general principles of working of patents encouraging full-scale commercial use of patented inventions in India.