Software patents at the European Patent Office (EPO): referral from the President of the EPO to the Enlarged Board of Appeal The President of the EPO, Mrs. Alison Brimelow, has referred a number of questions to the Enlarged Board of Appeal regarding the patentability of programs for computers under the European Patent Convention (EPC). · more information... Implementation in Germany of the “Enforcement Directive” of 29 April 2004 On 1 September 2008, the "Act on Improving Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights" entered into force in Germany, thus implementing the European Directive 2004/48/EC ("Enforcement Directive"). · more information... Important Changes to International Trademarks Repeal of the "Safeguard Clause" when Applying for International Trademarks Under the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol · more information... Hoffmann · Eitle welcomes new European Patent Attorneys Munich, August 2008 Hoffmann · Eitle is proud to announce that four of its young colleagues have passed the European Qualifying Examination 2008. · more information... EPO file inspection service now "open all hours" On the website of the EPO an announcement has just appeared, that its file inspection service called "Register Plus" is with immediate effect open to internet access at any hour of the day or night (except for the 30 minutes between 5 am and 5.30 am for essential maintenance). · more information... Hoffmann · Eitle receives "Firm of the Year 2008" award from MANAGING IP In the Managing IP's Global Awards Dinner 2008, held on 9 April 2008 in London, Hoffmann · Eitle was awarded the title "Firm of the Year 2008" in recognition of its achievements in prosecuting intellectual property rights in Germany. · more information... "Brussels I" and the Council Regulation on the service of judicial documents have both come into force in Denmark Council Regulation 44/2001/EC of 22 December 2000 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (also called "Brussels I") (OJ L 12, 2001 1) has come into force in Denmark as of 1 July 2007. Also as of 1 July 2007 the related Council Regulation 1348/2000/EC of 29 May 2000 on the service in the Member States of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil or commercial matters (OJ L 160 2000 37) came into force. · more information... > go to top <