Purple Pasts: Color Codification in the Ancient World

While developments in intellectual property have opened the door for trademarking color alone or color per se, it is important to observe that color codification is not a new phenomenon. This article outlines the quest to metaphorically trademark purple in antiquity and to provide it with clear "secondary meaning." It highlights how language, literature, and sumptuary law was deployed to infuse purple with the appropriate symbolism, and it links contemporary debates to some of the historic moves to sequester color.     

Political leadership in local government: T. Dan Smith in Newcastle‐upon‐Tyne∗

Recent initiatives for modernising local government have ignored the potential contribution of parish and town councils. This article critically examines English parish and town councils in the context of the current debate about the need for government to be more responsive to community needs. It considers measures to enhance the capacity of these grassroots councils by recalibrating the responsibilities and resources between tiers of local government. It concludes by setting out possible reforms to facilitate the contribution of these local councils to the modernising agenda as both representatives of the community and potential providers of local services.     

Generic drug maker wins right to sue for anti-competitive practices

In December 2000, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the right of generic drug manufacturer Apotex Inc to sue three name-brand pharmaceutical companies for allegedly anti-competitive practices. Apotex's claim had been struck out by a lower court, but the appellate court overturned this judgment and allowed the suit to proceed. The facts alleged by Apotex, if eventually proved true, could support a court finding that the name-brand companies were in fact liable.     

Canadian court upholds Glaxo's patent on AZT

In October 2000, the Federal Court of Appeal issued the latest ruling in the ongoing dispute over the validity of Glaxo's Canadian patent for AZT, upholding Glaxo's patent but narrowing the scope of the claims it could validly make. The decision is now on appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.     

Criminal law and HIV/AIDS: update V

This regular column reviews new developments in the area of criminal prosecutions for HIV transmission or exposure, or developments that have come to our attention since the last issue. Canadian developments are the focus. Cases and legislation from other jurisdictions are only included if they represent a significant development in this area of the law or for the jurisdiction in question.     

Motion to strike claim dismissed in HIV defamation suit

On 23 April 2001, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued the first Canadian ruling on the issue of whether words inputing that a person is HIV-positive or has AIDS can be the basis of a defamation action per se, in the case of Serdar v Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing Ltd.