Home > News > Recent cases

Recent cases

GlaxoSmithKline v Genentech [2008] EWCA Civ 2331 January 2008Daniel Alexander QC acted for GSK in a claim to revoke Genentech’s patent relating to the use of anti-CD20 antibodies for RA therapy. Genentech applied to stay the UK claim pending determination of opposition proceedings in the EPO. The Court of Appeal’s judgment handed down in January 2008 gives general guidance as to the approach […]
The Gola Wing Flash Logo [2008] EWHC 88 (Ch)25 January 2008John Baldwin QC led Robert Onslow in the successful protection of the iconic Gola logo against a threat from encroachment by a rival footwear manufacturer in December 2007. The case involved the tension between marks which are mere designs and those which are genuine badges of origin. The heritage, of which the likes of Bill […]
Cinpres Gas Injection Limited v Melea Limited [2008] EWCA Civ 921 January 2008One of the country’s longest running patent cases concerning ownership of a gas assisted plastic injection moulding patent has been decided by the Court of Appeal. The appeal followed earlier litigation between the same parties that was commenced in the early 1990s and ultimately dismissed some 8 years later, due largely to the evidence given […]
Peer International Corporation and Southern Music Publishing Co Inc and Peermusic (UK) Ltd v Editoria Musical De Cuba [2007] EWCA Civ 130823 November 2007The first instance trial concerned the entitlement to the UK copyright in 14 songs written by Cuban composers. The trial Judge, Lindsay J, found in favour of the defendants, Editoria Musical De Cuba, but at the costs hearing he did not make an order as to costs in favour of the defendants on the aspects […]
Aloys Wobben v Vestas-Celtic Wind Technology Limited [2007] EWHC 2636 (Pat)14 November 2007This patent trial involved three separate patents, all of which were concerned with the control systems of wind energy systems i.e. wind turbines and the interaction between such turbines and the electrical grids to which they are connected. The requirements of the network operator in relation to the behaviour of various types of generation under […]
Yeda v ImClone/Rorer [2007] UKHL 4324 October 2007Members of Chambers acted in an appeal in the House of Lords in July 2007 in the matter of Yeda -v- ImClone/Rorer. The case concerns the anti-cancer threrapy Erbitux® and the approach to time limits in patent entitlement cases under s.37(5) of the Act and the CPC. Peter Prescott QC, Daniel Alexander QC and Andrew […]
Monsanto Technology LLC v Cargill International SA [2007] EWHC 2257 (Pat)10 October 2007A patent action in which Monsanto claimed infringement of a patent covering DNA sequences related to its RoundUp Ready® technology, which involves the genetic modification of a plant to express an enzyme that confers resistance to the herbicide glyphosate (RoundUp®). Cargill imported soymeal from Argentina made from RoundUp Ready soy beans. It raised defences of […]
Univ. of Queensland v Siemens Magnet Technology Ltd [2007] EWHC 2258 (Pat)10 October 2007This patent trial, heard by Pumfrey J in late July 2007, concerned superconducting magnets for use in magnetic resonance imaging scanners. The University of Queensland, represented by Peter Prescott QC and Henry Ward, alleged that Siemens’ MRI magnets infringed its patent. Siemens, represented by Michael Tappin (led by Christopher Floyd QC) denied infringement and alleged […]
Nichia v Argos [2007] Bus LR 1753 (CA)19 July 2007Daniel Alexander QC and James St.Ville acted for Argos in their appeal against the recent decision of the Patents Court (Mr Justice Pumfrey, 23 February 2007) that standard disclosure on obviousness should not normally be ordered in patent actions. Adrian Speck and James Whyte acted for Nichia. The claim is for infringement of patents relating […]
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd v Warner-Lambert Co [2007] IEHC 25610 July 2007A team from chambers (James Mellor QC, Michael Tappin and Jessie Bowhill) recently represented Ranbaxy at the trial in the High Court of Ireland of its claim for a declaration of non-infringement of one of Warner-Lambert’s patents. The litigation concerns the cholesterol-lowering agent atorvastatin (sold by Warner-Lambert as Lipitor ®). Previously Michael Tappin had represented […]