Type of counsel and the outcome of criminal appeals: A research note

Previous studies have focused on type of counsel and case outcome at trial court, but only a few have done so at the appellate level. The purpose of this research note is to provide some insight into the influence of type of counsel on the out-come of criminal appeals. Results indicate that in criminal appeals from two Florida trial courts to an intermediate appellate court type of counsel was non-significant in predicting the court’s decision. The implications of the findings are discussed.     

集装箱海运合同与提单关系再探

针对国内集装箱托运作业的特殊性,分析托运单对各方当事人(托运人、承运人、船代、货代)关系的影响,指出托运单最多只能在船代和货代间形成安排运输的合同或待运合同,而不是托运人和承运人间的运输合同,后者的订立是履行前者的结果,因此提单对运输合同的证明作用需要进一步澄清。     

集装箱海运合同与提单关系再探

针对国内集装箱托运作业的特殊性,分析托运单对各方当事人(托运人、承运人、船代、货代)关系的影响,指出托运单最多只能在船代和货代间形成安排运输的合同或待运合同,而不是托运人和承运人间的运输合同,后者的订立是履行前者的结果,因此提单对运输合同的证明作用需要进一步澄清.     

For the health of the economy and patent system: rationale and scope of patent attorney privilege

Legal context: There exists, in some countries, a patent attorney privilege.This privilege allows an actual or potential holder of patentrights to withhold from a court communications that it has hadwith its patent attorney. The privilege is not recognized inall jurisdictions and there is variation in the extent of theprivilege in those countries where it does exist. Key points: This article explores the rationale for the privilege in orderto see if there is a sound basis upon which to found it. Througha consideration of the justifications for other legal privileges,the article finds that patent attorney privilege is a justifiableprotection for communications between clients and their patentattorneys. If there was a possibility that the communicationswould have to be revealed in court, this may impact the fulland frank nature of the communications. Such communicationsassist patent attorneys, as professionals with expertise ina specialized field, to provide clients with appropriate andeffective advice. That advice goes directly to the maintenanceand benefit of the patent system and the overall economy. Practical significance: As a result of the variation in the extent of the privilegearound the world, there are moves afoot to reform its operation.This article reveals strong public policy reasons for the recognitionof a patent attorney privilege. These grounds also reinforcethe need to ensure that privilege is not unduly limited in itsoperation in any jurisdiction.     

Non-voluntary licensing of antivirals under patent: options the Australian Government should consider in light of a potential bird flu pandemic

In the face of a potential bird flu pandemic, Australian Federal Health Minister, Tony Abbott, has recently dismissed expert advice that the government should begin, or even publicly consider, authorising generic manufacturers to produce antivirals, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, under patent via non-voluntary licensing methods. This is despite the fact that the demand for antivirals in Australia, and throughout the world, cannot be met by manufacturers under the control of limited patent owners alone. This article proposes that Australian patent law, which allows for non-voluntary licensing when it comes to important public health issues that affect Australian citizens, is relevant in meeting the demand for increased antiviral treatments during a possible bird flu pandemic, domestically and abroad. It argues that the Australian Government must go beyond what is currently being done and investigate and pursue such options.     

美国的专利政策及其高科技企业的战略

由国家外国专家局批准立项,国家知识产权局组织的“美国专利政策和战略”培训考察团一行20人,于2000年11月9日至12月3日在美国进行了为期22天的培训考察。团员来自国家知识产权局、地方知识产权局和企业、科研单位、人民法院等。在美国工业技术集团公司的精心安排下,学习考察了美国的专利法律和政策、高科技公司的专利策略以及斯坦福大学的技术转化方面的经验,参观访问了INTERNET公司、Affymetrix公司、Cisco公司、AB公司(原PE公司)等高科技公司以及律师事务所、硅谷专利文献馆、美国专利商标局等。培训考察采取讲学、座谈和实地参观考察的方式。通过培训学习考察,对美国的专利制度、政府的专利政策、高科技企业专利保护策略和专利保护,有了新的、比较系统的了解。笔者有幸参加了培训考察,现将学习考察的基本情况及几点学习体会汇总如下:     

质疑实用新型与发明专利的“衔接式”保护

现行的《专利审查指南》赋予同一申请人就相同的发明创造享有实用新型专利和发明专利的“衔接式”保护。这种“衔接式”保护不仅违反了禁止重复授权原则,而且造成了专利申请量的虚高和专利审查程序的复杂化,加重了专利局的审查工作负担,延长了同一发明创造的保护期。因此,必须废除《专利审查指南》所创设的“衔接式”保护机制。     

未寻找到抢劫对象且因为害怕而未实施抢劫属于犯罪预备阶段的中止--兼论故意犯罪的未完成状态

一、案情介绍犯罪嫌疑人关某与李某相约去抢劫出租车 ,2 0 0 1年 11月 8日关某与李某携带匕首及铁丝等作案工具在路上寻找出租车作案。大约十分钟后 ,因天色已晚 ,二人未找到出租车 ,关某害怕被抓获向李某提出不干 ,二人即一同回家。回家后李某又独自一人携带铁丝等作案工具 ,在路上拦了一辆出租车欲行抢劫 ,在抢劫时被抓获 ,根据李某的交代犯罪嫌疑人关某也被抓获。二、分歧意见对于关某构成抢劫罪 ,大家都没有异议 ,但是对于关某是属于犯罪预备、犯罪中止 ,还是犯罪未遂有如下几种不同的看法 :一、关某的行为属于犯罪预备。理由 :犯罪预备…     

专利制度立法理念及其决定性作用探究

专利制度以维护发明创造者个人的利益,激励创新和促进科学技术进步,增进人类社会的共同利益为其立法理念,这一立法理念决定了具体的专利制度设计,并主导着专利制度的未来发展趋势。     

The attack of the clones: patent law and stem cell research

This article considers the integral role played by patent law in respect of stem cell research. It highlights concerns about commercialization, access to essential medicines and bioethics. The article maintains that there is a fundamental ambiguity in the Patents Act 1990 (Cth) as to whether stem cell research is patentable subject matter. There is a need to revise the legislation in light of the establishment of the National Stem Cell Centre and the passing of the Research Involving Embryos Act 2002 (Cth). The article raises concerns about the strong patent protection secured by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and Geron Corporation in respect of stem cell research in the United States. It contends that a number of legal reforms could safeguard access to stem cell lines, and resulting drugs and therapies. Finally, this article explores how ethical concerns are addressed within the framework of the European Biotechnology Directive. It examines the decision of the European Patent Office in relation to the so-called "Edinburgh patent", and the inquiry of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies into "The Ethical Aspects of Patenting Involving Human Stem Cells".     

Requirements and procedures applicable to appeals before the Departmental Grant Appeals Board--Department of Health and Human Services. Notice of proposed rulemaking

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposes to delete the material currently set forth in 45 CFR Part 16, and substitute new requirements and procedures applicable to disputes arising under certain HHS grants and other programs. HHS also proposes to add certain related provisions to 45 CFA Part 74, which contains general requirements applicable to all HHS grants and cooperative agreements. These proposed provisions are intended to improve the Department's capability to provide a fair, quick and flexible process for appeal from final written decisions.     

论成果管理与专利管理对知识产权保护的历史作用

加入WTO之后,我国知识产权保护面临着新的机遇与挑战。正确认识和评价科技成果管理制度与专利管理制度对知识产权保护的历史作用,对于全面开展知识产权保护工作具有重要的现实意义。     

无正本提单交付货物的中英法律解读

无正本提单交付货物一直是困扰国际海上货物运输的主要问题之一。应该说,自从提单这一运输单证诞生并开始肩负作为交付货物凭证的功能时起,无单放货就伴随其产生了。从承运人的角度来说,最关心的莫过于如何认定无单放货的形式和性质以及因承担无单放货而产生的责任;从正本提单持有人的角度来说,在承运人无单放货的情况下如何行使索赔权则是其关注的核心。为了解决中国海事司法审判实践中出现的有关无正本提单交付货物纠纷的法律适用方面的问题,最高人民法院在2009年3月5日出台了《最高人民法院关于审理无正本提单交付货物案件适用法律若干问题的规定》,由于在起草过程中大量借鉴了国外海事审判经验,而英国又是海事审判最先进的国家之一,积累了大量有关无单放货的判例,因此有必要通过这些案例来对该规定的主要内容进行解读,以便对相关内容进行更好的理解和把握。     

Admissions appeals in 1999: the impact of the 1998 regulations and R,v. Birmingham city council ex parte M 1998

School admission appeal committees hearing appeals in 1999 will have to grapple with two main changes. Firstly, they will have to identify which of the three tests available applies to the appeal before them. The Education Act 1996 (Infant Class Sizes) Modification Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/1948) have replaced the ‘standard’ prejudice test with a ‘new’ and much narrower prejudice test for certain admission appeals. The third test applies to appeals relating to the admission of a pupil who has been permanently excluded from a school on two or more occasions. Secondly, the recent decision of the High Court in R. v. Birmingham City Council x parte M 1998 requires an appeal committee to give specific grounds for their decision in the letter informing parents of the committee's decision. This goes beyond the broad grounds hitherto considered adequate and has implications for both the appeal hearing and for the form of letter used by local authorities.     

《老年人权益保障法》应予以修正

《老年人权益保障法》是在1996年出台的。由于出台的时间仓促,理论准备不足,调查研究不充分,致使法律本身存在许多不足之处,包括立法技术的不足和实质内容的不足。按照中央提出的“全面建设小康社会”的奋斗目标,该法已不能适应时代的要求,应当予以修正。