Blocking Patents in European Competition Law

Blocking Patents in European Competition Law PDF Author: Angelika S. Murer
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
ISBN: 9403538155
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 386

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Book Description
In practice and jurisprudence in European competition law, it is especially difficult to define the boundaries of patent abuse as an offence. In this thoroughly researched book, the author answers the question of when and how an application for a blocking patent can amount to an abuse of a dominant position under Article 102 TFEU. Drawing on legal literature and European Union (EU) case law, the presentation analyses a constellation of blocking patenting strategies and proposes potential remedies where abuse is involved. With detailed descriptions of the characteristics of potentially abusive and non-abusive behaviour regarding applications for blocking patents, the book provides the following and more: a comprehensive analysis of the case law of the EU courts on the abuse of a dominant position in cases which involve intellectual property rights; insights on how patenting strategies affect competition with a particular focus on the application of blocking patents; an overview of the developments in doctrine and practice which led to the current understanding of the seemingly conflictual goals of competition and intellectual property law; and insights on the difficulties of defining relevant markets and establishing whether an undertaking holds a dominant position. The book illustrates the mechanisms of blocking patenting strategies with examples from the pharmaceutical industry because blocking strategies have particular relevance in applying for patents in that context. A test scheme for analysing the application of a blocking patent under Article 102 TFEU is included. Additionally, the book provides an outlook on the topic of patents and shortages of supply in light of the COVID pandemic. Practitioners and policymakers requiring an understanding of the conceptual framework of the abuse concept within EU competition law and how it relates to patent strategies will welcome this invaluable book. They will not only be able to set the conduct of applying for blocking patents into the Article 102 TFEU context but also have decisive tools to approach questions on the intersection of patent law and competition law in the EU.

Blocking Patents in European Competition Law

Blocking Patents in European Competition Law PDF Author: Angelika S. Murer
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
ISBN: 9403538155
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 386

Get Book Here

Book Description
In practice and jurisprudence in European competition law, it is especially difficult to define the boundaries of patent abuse as an offence. In this thoroughly researched book, the author answers the question of when and how an application for a blocking patent can amount to an abuse of a dominant position under Article 102 TFEU. Drawing on legal literature and European Union (EU) case law, the presentation analyses a constellation of blocking patenting strategies and proposes potential remedies where abuse is involved. With detailed descriptions of the characteristics of potentially abusive and non-abusive behaviour regarding applications for blocking patents, the book provides the following and more: a comprehensive analysis of the case law of the EU courts on the abuse of a dominant position in cases which involve intellectual property rights; insights on how patenting strategies affect competition with a particular focus on the application of blocking patents; an overview of the developments in doctrine and practice which led to the current understanding of the seemingly conflictual goals of competition and intellectual property law; and insights on the difficulties of defining relevant markets and establishing whether an undertaking holds a dominant position. The book illustrates the mechanisms of blocking patenting strategies with examples from the pharmaceutical industry because blocking strategies have particular relevance in applying for patents in that context. A test scheme for analysing the application of a blocking patent under Article 102 TFEU is included. Additionally, the book provides an outlook on the topic of patents and shortages of supply in light of the COVID pandemic. Practitioners and policymakers requiring an understanding of the conceptual framework of the abuse concept within EU competition law and how it relates to patent strategies will welcome this invaluable book. They will not only be able to set the conduct of applying for blocking patents into the Article 102 TFEU context but also have decisive tools to approach questions on the intersection of patent law and competition law in the EU.

Competition Law of the European Union

Competition Law of the European Union PDF Author: Van Bael & Bellis
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
ISBN: 9041154051
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 1618

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Book Description
This new Sixth Edition of a major work by the well-known competition law team at Van Bael & Bellis in Brussels brings the book up to date to take account of the many developments in the case law and relevant legislation that have occurred since the Fifth Edition in 2010. The authors have also taken the opportunity to write a much-extended chapter on private enforcement and a dedicated section on competition law in the pharmaceutical sector. As one would expect, the new edition continues to meet the challenge for businesses and their counsel, providing a thoroughly practical guide to the application of the EU competition rules. The critical commentary cuts through the theoretical underpinnings of EU competition law to expose its actual impact on business. In this comprehensive new edition, the authors examine such notable developments as the following: important rulings concerning the concept of a restriction by object under Article 101; the extensive case law in the field of cartels, including in relation to cartel facilitation and price signalling; important Article 102 rulings concerning pricing and exclusivity, including the Post Danmark and Intel judgments, as well as standard essential patents; the current block exemption and guidelines applicable to vertical agreements, including those applicable to the motor vehicle sector; developments concerning online distribution, including the Pierre Fabre and Coty rulings; the current guidelines and block exemptions in the field of horizontal cooperation, including the treatment of information exchange; the evolution of EU merger control, including court defeats suffered by the Commission and the case law on procedural infringements; the burgeoning case law related to pharmaceuticals, including concerning reverse payment settlements; the current technology transfer guidelines and block exemption; procedural developments, including in relation to the right to privacy, access to file, parental liability, fining methodology, inability to pay and hybrid settlements; the implementation of the Damages Directive and the first interpretative rulings. As a comprehensive, up-to-date and above all practical analysis of the EU competition rules as developed by the Commission and EU Courts, this authoritative new edition of a classic work stands alone. Like its predecessors, it will be of immeasurable value to both business persons and their legal advisers.

Patent Remedies and Complex Products

Patent Remedies and Complex Products PDF Author: C. Bradford Biddle
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108426751
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 379

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Book Description
Through a collaboration among twenty legal scholars from North America, Europe and Asia, this book presents an international consensus on the use of patent remedies for complex products such as smartphones, computer networks, and the Internet of Things. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

The Interplay Between Competition Law and Intellectual Property

The Interplay Between Competition Law and Intellectual Property PDF Author: Gabriella Muscolo
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
ISBN: 9041186905
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 633

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Book Description
Although competition law and intellectual property are often interwoven, until this book there has been little guidance on how they work together in practice. As the intersection between the two fields continues to grow worldwide, both in case law and in regulation, the book's markets-based approach, focusing on sectors such as pharmaceuticals, IT, telecoms, energy and agriculture in eleven of the world's most active jurisdictions, provides a much-needed in-depth understanding of how this interplay reveals itself among the different legal systems. Written by a range of authors including judges, regulators, academics, economists and practitioners in both fields, the book provides an international comparative perspective as well as detailed analysis of specific cases, policies and proposals for change. Among the issues and topics covered are the following: – free movement of goods and the protection of intellectual property rights; – standard essential patents & injunction in patent cases; – intellectual property rights between technological development and consumer protection; – geo-blocking; – online platforms and antitrust; – excessive prices. In this context, special attention is paid throughout to the increasing dialogue among Competition Authorities and between Judges and Competition Authorities around the world. As matchless remedy for the lack of uniformity heretofore, the book's investigation of the nexus between competition law and intellectual property in different sectors and in various countries takes a giant step towards a more-balanced approach and more-levelled regulation and practices. It will be warmly appreciated by policy makers, decision makers, regulators, practitioners and academics in both competition law and intellectual property fields

Multi-dimensional Approaches Towards New Technology

Multi-dimensional Approaches Towards New Technology PDF Author: Ashish Bharadwaj
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 981131232X
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 350

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Book Description
This open access edited book captures the complexities and conflicts arising at the interface of intellectual property rights (IPR) and competition law. To do so, it discusses four specific themes: (a) policies governing functioning of standard setting organizations (SSOs), transparency and incentivising future innovation; (b) issue of royalties for standard essential patents (SEPs) and related disputes; (c) due process principles, procedural fairness and best practices in competition law; and (d) coherence of patent policies and consonance with competition law to support innovation in new technologies. Many countries have formulated policies and re-oriented their economies to foster technological innovation as it is seen as a major source of economic growth. At the same time, there have been tensions between patent laws and competition laws, despite the fact that both are intended to enhance consumer welfare. In this regard, licensing of SEPs has been debated extensively, although in most instances, innovators and implementers successfully negotiate licensing of SEPs. However, there have been instances where disagreements on royalty base and royalty rates, terms of licensing, bundling of patents in licenses, pooling of licenses have arisen, and this has resulted in a surge of litigation in various jurisdictions and also drawn the attention of competition/anti-trust regulators. Further, a lingering lack of consensus among scholars, industry experts and regulators regarding solutions and techniques that are apposite in these matters across jurisdictions has added to the confusion. This book looks at the processes adopted by the competition/anti-trust regulators to apply the principles of due process and procedural fairness in investigating abuse of dominance cases against innovators.

Patent Pools, Competition Law and Biotechnology

Patent Pools, Competition Law and Biotechnology PDF Author: Devdatta Malshe
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429016166
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 153

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Book Description
Exploring the relationship between competition law and technology pools, this book provides general-purpose details of the biotechnology patent pool scheme while discussing historical developments, approaches of the US Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and the European Union Competition Commission via EU regulations. In addition to these regulatory approaches and evolution in concept and theory of technology pools, this book illustrates relationship issues including tying arrangements and essential facility consideration vis-à-vis technology pools. It analyzes the modalities of forming such pools in the area of biotechnology, specifically illustrating that the formation of technology pools is possible and can be safely undertaken, and proposes a viable solution and structure. Patent pools in the biotechnology industry will pave the way towards open collaborative research, reducing patent thickets. Formation of such pools will increase access to various technology and patents otherwise out of bounds, resulting in a reduction of licensing costs and a spur in the development of new solutions. Most importantly, such pools will reduce the frequency of patent toll gates, making the entire spectrum of research interesting from the perspective of researchers as well as investors. This book will be an aid to researchers studying intellectual property, patents, and biotechnology, as well as to interest groups including funding agencies, venture funds, angel investors, and proponents of the open-source movement.

Mechanisms to Enable Follow-On Innovation

Mechanisms to Enable Follow-On Innovation PDF Author: Alina Wernick
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030722570
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 450

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Book Description
The patent system is based on "one-patent-per-product" presumption and therefore fails to sustain complex follow-on innovations that contain a number of patents. The book explains that follow-on innovations may be subject to market failures such as hold-ups and excessive royalties. For decades, scholars have debated whether the market problems can be solved with voluntary licensing i.e., open innovation, or with compulsory liability rules. The book concludes that neither approach is sufficient. On the one hand, incentives to engage in open innovation practices involving patents are insufficient. On the other hand, the existing compulsory liability rules in patent and competition law are not tailored to address follow-on innovator's interests. To transcend this problem, the author proposes a compulsory liability rule against the suppression of follow-on innovation, that paradoxically, fosters early-on voluntary licensing between patent holders and follow-on innovators. The book is aimed at patent and competition law scholars and practitioners, patent attorneys, managers, engineers and economists who either engage in open innovation involving patents or conduct research on the topic. It also offers insights to policy and law-makers reviewing the possibilities to foster open innovation initiatives or adapt the scope of patent remedies or employ compulsory licenses for patents.

Patent Assertion Entities and Competition Policy

Patent Assertion Entities and Competition Policy PDF Author: D. Daniel Sokol
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1316861902
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 326

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Book Description
Patent assertion entities (commonly known as 'patent trolls') hurt competition and innovation. This book, the first to analyze the most salient issues related to patent assertion entities around the world, integrates economic theory with economic and legal reality to examine how the entities function and their impact on competition. It also offers legal and policy solutions that might be used to combat them. Edited by D. Daniel Sokol, the volume collects chapters from an array of leading scholars who describe patent assertion entities in the United States, Europe, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and China, while offering empirical accounts of the entities' economic consequences and their use of litigation as a means of legal extortion against many of the most innovative companies in the world, from startups to multinationals. It should be read by anyone interested in how patent assertion entities operate and how they might be stopped.

New Developments in Competition Law and Economics

New Developments in Competition Law and Economics PDF Author: Klaus Mathis
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030116115
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 358

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Book Description
This book further develops both the traditional and the behavioural approach to competition law, and applies these approaches to a variety of timely issues. It discusses several fundamental questions regarding competition law and economics, and explores the applications of competition law and economics. In turn, the book analyses the interplay of intellectual property rights and patents in various aspects of competition law, and investigates the impacts that developments in information technology, such as big data analytics, have on competition law. The book also discusses the impact of energy law reforms on energy markets from a competition law perspective. Competition law is a classic field of economic analysis. This is largely due to the fact that competition law uses terms such as market, price, and competition and must therefore rely on economic know-how and analyses. In the United States, economic analysis has greatly influenced not just the scholarship on antitrust law, but also judicial decisions and agency enforcement. Antitrust law and economics are based on the traditional paradigm of neoclassical economics, which relies on the assumption that the market players, i.e. consumers and producers, are rational. This approach to competition law was later received in Europe under the banner of a “more economic approach”. For the past two decades, behavioural law and economics, which seeks to generate better insights into legal phenomena by providing more realistic psychological foundations for economic models, and to offer a multitude of applications in legislation and legal adjudication, has challenged the traditional economic approach to law in general and, more recently, to competition law specifically.

Pharmaceutical Innovation, Competition and Patent Law

Pharmaceutical Innovation, Competition and Patent Law PDF Author: Josef Drexl
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 0857932462
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 347

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Book Description
Public health, safety and access to reasonably priced medicine are common policy goals of pharmaceutical regulations. As both the context for innovation and competitive structure change, industry actors dynamically challenge the balance between the incentive for protection and the achievement of those policy goals. Considering the arguments from the perspectives of innovation, competition law and patent law, this book explores the difficult question of balancing protection with access, highlighting the difficulties in harmonization and coordination. The contributors to this book, including academics, judges and practitioners from Europe, the US and Japan, explore to what extent patent strategies and life-cycle management practices take advantage of patent laws and health-care regulation and disrupt the necessary balance between incentives for innovation and access to affordable medicine and health care. Addressing fundamental questions in the field of pharmaceutical innovation, this book will appeal to scholars and practitioners in intellectual property, competition law and life sciences regulation, as well as pharmaceutical companies and regulators.