The Irish Patents Office has recently published its Annual Report for 2014 setting out trends, objectivities, activities throughout 2014 and what can be expected in 2015. The Annual Report sets out how the Irish Patent Office has discharged of its statutory functions under the Patents Act 1992 (as amended), the Trade Marks Acts 1996 (as amended), the Industrial Designs Act 2001 and the various statutory rules and regulations made under these Acts. A summary of the key findings are set out below.Continue Reading Irish Patents Office Annual Report 2014

The ALS Association has filed two trademark applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office for "ice bucket challenge" and "ALS ice bucket challenge" for the purposes of charitable fundraising.   In recent weeks there has been a social media storm of people carrying out the challenge by pouring a bucket of iced water over their heads and making a donation to the ALS Association.

The ALS Association are claiming ownership of the phrases, despite not creating the idea. Permission from the original creators was given to the ALS Association prior to the registrations being made. Other charitable organisations

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Election candidates in the upcoming May local and European Parliament Elections have all recently received correspondence from the Data Protection Commissioner reminding them of their obligations with regards to communicating with the electorate.  Candidates were made aware that should any complaints be received by the office of the Data Protection Commissioner they will be investigated, with appropriate action taken.

Candidates and political parties must adhere to the clear statutory guidelines as set out the in the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Privacy and Electronic Communications) Regulations 2011, particularly in relation to the use of SMS, phone and e-mail in sending electoral messages. Continue Reading Restrictions on electronic direct marketing- politically correct?