Retrospective valuations of intellectual property

A relatively simple method for ongoing retrospective valuations of intellectual property (IP) for the purpose of setting royalty rates is described. The method uses measureable variables that indicate directly the value of an IP to a licensee over time. Protections are built into the method to preclude royalties that would be unfair to either the licensee or licensor. Unlike the cost- or income-based methods used in current practice, the described method does not require any assumptions about the future and is therefore immune to the uncertainties and possible inaccuracies that are inherent to prospective valuations. Although forecasting is needed for some purposes, such as for certain tax purposes or for the overall valuation of a company by stock analysts, the described retrospective valuations can be usefully applied for setting royalty rates that closely track and reflect changes in market conditions, patent protection, and product design.     

Licences in OHIM practice

Legal context: Despite the commercial importance of licences, the Regulation40/94 contains relatively few provisions on licences. As faras these refer to licences granted to CTMs or their recordalat OHIM, they are beyond the scope of the article, which dealswith the case law emanating from OHIM in inter partes proceedings,where licences have played a role. Key points: This article considers the legal requirements licensees mustmeet when filing opposition and cancellation proceedings beforeOHIM. It reviews when use under licence is regarded as genuineuse, or valid for the purpose of establishing acquired distinctivenessor reputation. It also deals with OHIM decisions regarding licenseesfiling the licensors' trade marks in their own names. Practical significance: With respect to the standing of licensees as opponents or applicantsfor invalidity, this article explains the procedural requirements,mentioning also points to be considered when drafting trademark licences. The article also explains to what extent a licenceneed be proven where the opponent or cancellation applicanthas not used the earlier mark himself but wishes to rely onuse made by someone else. On the issue of a licensee filingthe licensed mark in his own name, the article gives an introductionto the criteria applied by OHIM and deals with his fiduciaryposition, resulting in a greater likelihood of his having actedin bad faith.     

Influence of WTO decisions on international intellectual property

Legal context: The task of harmonization in the IP framework is currently atrisk. This conclusion is shown by the way EU Member States have recentlyenacted Directive 2001/29 on the harmonization of certain aspectsof copyright and related rights on the information society.Particularly, no Member State seems to have considered the interpretationof the three-step test of the Berne Convention given in 2000by the WTO panel, notwithstanding its importance. Moreover, three recent opinions of the French Cour de Cassation,the French Conseil Constitutionnel, and the German Federal Courtof Justice appear not to have endorsed the WTO's interpretationof the three-step test. This scenario confirms the impressionthat the international framework is devoid of any degree ofharmonization. Key points: Although the aims of certainty and predictability in the internationaltrading system are among its main tasks, the World Trade Organizationhas not yet tackled the plight of harmonization, preferringa political approach to smooth conflicts and disputes. Yet,the World Trade Organization has recently taken important stepsthat seem to herald a new attitude. In United States—Sections301-310 of the Trade Act of 1974, the World Trade Organizationdismissed the traditional deference towards national legislations.In addition, at international and national levels, the AlleghenyLudlum and Softwood Lumber cases aligned their interpretationsto that of the World Trade Organization.     

无罪推定原则研究

无罪推定原则作为刑事诉讼中的一个重要原则 ,对于确保被告人在审判中受到公平对待、参与法庭判决制作和保障人权具有重要意义。其思想在我国古代已有体现 ,但真正现代意义的无罪推定原则是近代资产阶级大革命胜利的成果。我国现行法律还没有确立完全意义的无罪推定 ,但吸收了其合理内核。在正确理解无罪推定原则时 ,我们应注意该原则与实事求是、沉默权、传统法律观念和配套法律制度等问题的关系     

Towards a Northern Ireland Bill of Rights

The political settlement resulting from the Belfast Agreement recognisedthe fundamental importance of the issue of rights to a stable peace inNorthern Ireland. Indeed, the agreement provided for a Human RightsCommission, one of whose tasks is the drafting of a Bill of Rights thatwill reflect the political reality of the province. This paper arguesthat the proposed document will have to reflect an understanding ofrights and their protection resulting from the particular history ofNorthern Ireland. This specific understanding of rights appeared firstin the Anglo-Irish Agreement and has been gradually developed andconsolidated in the political agreements since. The planned NorthernIreland Bill of Rights will have to reflect this rights thinking. Thearticle also chronicles the recent work of the Northern Ireland HumanRights Commission in drafting the Bill of Rights to be presented to theSecretary of State for Northern Ireland in February 2002. Thereciprocal, if belated, moves in the Republic to set up its own humanrights commission will also be addressed as part of the process to drawup a Charter of Rights for the whole people of Ireland.     

论建筑物区分所有权人组织的法律性质

建筑物区分所有权人组织是我国新兴的不动产所有权人自治管理组织.对于建筑物区分所有权人组织的法律性质,我国目前有关法律法规并未作出规定.确定建筑物区分所有权人组织的法律性质对于确定组织及其成员、任职人员有关权利、义务和责任的归属,明确建筑物区分所有权人组织的对内对外关系均有重要意义.建筑物区分所有权人组织的民事主体地位、诉讼主体地位以及责任能力的探讨揭示了其法律性质的特殊性.赋予其法律人格是明确其内外部关系较为可行的方法.     

Intangible heritage: traditional medicine and knowledge governance

Legal context: Although traditional medicine constitutes a component part ofthe identity of the cultural communities concerned, this formof intangible cultural heritage is vulnerable in a globalizingworld where little place is left for the protection of beliefsystems. Key points: While much has been written on traditional knowledge and IPrights, less scholarly attention has focused on the culturaldimension of traditional medicine. Further, no solution hasbeen reached on the best way to ensure its protection. Thiscontribution attempts to establish a linkage between differentsectors of international law, addressing the complex interplaybetween traditional medicine, intended as a special form ofintangible cultural heritage, and international knowledge governance. While the TRIPS Agreement adopts only proprietary approachesto knowledge governance, it has been questioned whether, inthe case of pharmaceuticals, other non-proprietary approacheswould be preferable. Different approaches will be put forwardand the Draft Treaty on Medical Research and Development willbe considered. This would provide a better framework for safeguardingand diffusing traditional medicine. Practical significance: Protecting and promoting traditional medicine may help curingdiseases spread all over the world. Thus, beyond its culturalaspects, the practical importance of traditional medicine liesin its capacity to promote the right to health and human dignity.     

论执行时效制度之理解误区及其矫正

执行时效是指执行依据所载的债权人之私法上请求权的消灭时效,而不应当是指公法上强制执行申请权的存续期限。债权人申请执行时,法院不应主动审查、适用执行时效。执行时效届满后,债务人作出同意履行的意思表示的,应发生时效抗辩权之放弃的法律后果,故法院仍可就债务人为强制执行。执行时效届满后双方对债务重新予以确认或达成新的履行债务协议时,亦发生时效抗辩权之放弃的效果。债权人向法院提出执行申请时,执行时效是否中断和重新计算,应根据情况作具体分析。申请执行之前达成和解协议的,发生时效中断的效果;而执行程序中达成和解协议时,因法院对本案执行程序采取中止执行或终结执行之处置方式的不同,其时效中断效力的认定也存在区别。     

Case law of the EPO Boards of Appeal in 2006

Legal context: The article reviews significant decisions handed down by theBoards of Appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2006,concentrating on decisions of the Enlarged Board and the Boardsof Appeal issued in 2006 and published or to be published inthe OJ EPO. Key points: The article discusses the application of Art. 24 EPC on exclusionand objection to members of the boards of appeal in the lightof the following decisions: G 1/05, T 281/03 and J 15/04; referralspending before the EBA on the subject of divisional applications(Art. 76 EPC and R. 25 EPC) and exclusion from patentabilityunder R. 23d(c) in conjunction with Art. 53a EPC; and decisionsof technical boards of appeal on exclusions from patentability(Arts. 52 (2)(3) and (4) EPC), the requirement of industrialapplicability (Art. 57 EPC) and re-establishment of rights (Art.122 EPC). Practical significance: The article provides an overview of the 2006 case law of theboards of appeal which is particularly useful since most ofthe decisions discussed have not yet been published in the OJEPO. The author is critical of the recent case law on the applicationof Art. 24 EPC (exclusion and objection to members of the boardsof appeal) and reports on several decisions of particular legalinterest.     

知识产权基本法之构建

知识产权基本法的制定意义重大.知识产权基本法,是指统一调整和规范知识财产的支配关系的法律规范.知识产权基本法为形式意义上的知识产权法,是各知识产权单行法的母法,性质为私法.我国知识产权基本法的立法应采取三步走的步骤:第一步是制定知识产权基本法,第二步是在民法典中制定知识产权法编,第三步是制定知识产权法典.     

住房权保障如何可能研究纲要

在公法意义上,早期的住宅自由是基本人权的住房权的雏形。历史经验表明,时代的发展和人权理念的更新不断地将新的内涵注入住房权权利体系。近年来,随着国际国内社会对住房权的普遍重视,在国内层面上如何实现对住房权的法律保障问题渐进凸显。在立法层面,宪法和住宅法应该成为基础与核心,而在司法实践中也应该尝试确认住房权的可诉性,实现对住房权的司法救济。     

Licensee estoppel: an overview of the position under English and European law

Legal content: This article intends to raise awareness of the English law doctrineof licensee estoppel and how it may be relevant in practice.The relevant English case law and its relationship with Englishstatute and European legislation are discussed. Key points: Many practitioners are unaware of the nature and significanceof licensee estoppel under English law. The doctrine of licenseeestoppel seems at first sight to run contrary to European competitionlaw: this situation is made more complicated by the fact thatEuropean legislation and case law seems to presume that sucha doctrine does not exist. Once the doctrine itself and itsrelationship with European competition law have been explained,the remedies that are available and commercially relevant tolicensees become clearer. Practical significance: These considerations are relevant to practitioners draftingand negotiating technology transfer agreements under Englishlaw, as well as to those advising licensors and licensees ontheir rights and available remedies.     

意思自治、交易秩序与利益平衡——南怀瑾作品著作权纠纷上诉案评析

知识产权案件的裁判,应当体现意思自治的民法基本原则、稳定交易秩序的司法导向、平衡相关方利益的价值取向。对于行为人的真实意思,应当通过行为外观探求其内心真意。著作权许可使用合同的法律性质应综合合同条款文义、著作权人之行为、代理人之权限、出版合同及其履约过程进行判断。对于代理人在著作权人授权范围之内签署的许可使用合同,其法律后果应直接归属于作为被代理人的著作权人,而不应认定为转委托。著作权人死亡后,在对其作品著作财产权归属发生争议的情况下,被许可人暂缓支付著作权许可使用费,不存在拒不支付之主观过错,因此不应认定其构成侵权。对于权利人通过合同关系行使处分权已经构建的稳定交易结构及交易秩序,应予以尊重。     

中外学位学历互认协议的法律性质、效能及发展趋势

在经济全球化和高等教育国际化的背景下,高等教育学历学位相互承认问题的重要性与日俱增。中外学位学历互认协议是中国与有关国家之间实现高等教育国际合作的重要途径,从本质上讲中外学历学位互认协议应该属于国际条约法的范畴,具有促进相关主体权益的保障、提供学位学历的法律保证、提高院校质量的可靠性、促进留学市场的规范性、增加中国教育的认可度、促进国际教育服务的自由化的法律效能。未来中外学位学历互认协议的发展趋势将集中在协议内容更加细化、互认方法更加多元、互认协议更关注实施效果、互认协议与国内法的衔接更加完善等方面。     

后TRIPs时代我国知识产权反垄断的立法价值选择

后TRIPs时代,我国知识产权保护水平已与世界先进国家标准接轨;但我国自主创新比例却相当低,知识产权已经成为国外知识产权权利人进人中国后封闭市场、排挤竞争对手的工具。一国的知识产权反垄断立法价值取向应当与其具体的国内外经济政治环境相适应,反映其“本土性”、“时代性”的特点。作为拥有知识霸权的发达国家,已放松了对知识产权反垄断的规制,持有利于知识产权人的立场;他们的立场与技术落后的发展中国家截然不同。我国在知识产权反垄断立法过程中,当务之急不是去寻求国外的立法技术移植;而是从战略高度确定知识产权反垄断的立法价值取向,即以社会公益为本位,强化反垄断规制。     

重构我国用益物权体系的几点思考

我国现行的用益物权制度存在问题较多,严重影响了其实践作用的发挥。在重构我国用益物权体系时,不仅应对实践中争议较大的问题作出合理的解释,也要对缺漏之处及新情况、新问题做出积极的反映,最终形成以地上权、农用权、地益权、用益权为基础的民事基本法中的用益物权与特别法相辅相成的现代用益物权体系。     

完善附加剥夺政治权利浅探

附加剥夺政治权利是我国刑法中一种特定的刑罚处罚方法。在列举、分析其与主刑在适用数罪并罚、缓刑、假释等刑罚制度时可能出现的种种不协调情形的基础上,对完善我国刑法的相关条款提出了一些建议。     

自杀问题的国家立场

国家对自杀的态度经历了一个历史变迁，目前自杀行为属于法的评价空白领域。对于自杀行为应该如何定性，能否将其权利化，这涉及到个人的自我决定权、国家保护生命的义务、基本权利价值体系乃至道德伦理之间的关系。从国家的立场出发，不应将自杀界定为一种权利或者自由，也不属于个人的自我决定权的范畴。自杀有其社会成因和社会危害，国家应有所作为，努力防止自杀，履行自己对于生命权的保护义务。     

中国和平崛起正义论

法伦理学正义价值概念应导入中国和平崛起的法律价值这一在国际法域争论正酣的发展权平等保护问题,中国"和平崛起"是对"和平发展"本质的创新表述,一国崛起的权利即为一国发展的权利。"崛起权"即发展权,而平等的发展权则是人类最基本的正当人权形式之一种。中国和平崛起的正义价值在人权之发展权上应定位为:一曰价值的基础性,二曰价值的母体性。     

中国物权法草案的修改意见:总体结构与制定目的

在中国民法典制定进程中,单行法模式也是一种较为现实的选择。全国人大常委会2004年10月15日委员长会议审议稿《中华人民共和国物权法(草案)》采五编制结构,虽不失严谨,但也是作茧自缚。物权法在总体设计上应该采取较为松散的结构模式。一种可供选择的总体结构包括12章和附则,依次为:通则,所有权,关于土地、矿藏、森林、草原、江海湖泊等自然资源的使用,地役权,居住权,典权,抵押权,质权,留置权,让与担保,优先权,占有,以及施行法。作为一部单行法,物权法在第1条中规定立法目的是有必要的。草案第1条规定基本上体现了物权法的价值取向,但也有失宽泛。建议将该条修改为:“为了保护物权权利人的民事权益,明确物的归属,充分发挥物的效用,制定本法。”