A niche blog dedicated to the issues that arise when supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) extend patents beyond their normal life -- and to the respective positions of patent owners, investors, competitors and consumers. The blog also addresses wider issues that may be of interest or use to those involved in the extension of patent rights. You can email The SPC Blog here

Monday 24 November 2014

Seattle "Relevant date" reference: UKIPO seeks comments

Back in October The SPC Blog posted a this item from Daniel J. Wise (Carpmaels & Ransford), "Austria refers Seattle Genetics to CJEU: is "relevant date" for EU or national law?". The UK Intellectual Property Office is now seeking comments on this reference, with a view to advising the UK government as to whether it wishes to make representations in this reference. According to the UKIPO's media release:
CJ case: C-471/14: SEATTLE GENETICS

We have received notification of a new case referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU): C-471/14: A request for a preliminary ruling concerning the supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products.

The questions referred to the Court of Justice (CJ) for a preliminary ruling are:
1. Is the date for the first authorisation to place the product on the market, pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation 469/2009 concerning the supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products determined according to Community law, or does that provision refer to the date on which the authorisation takes effect in the law of the Member State in question?

2. If the Court determines that the answer is that the date is determined by Community law, is this the date of authorisation or the date of notification?
This case and the questions referred to the Court can also be viewed on our website at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/references-to-the-european-court-of-justice/references-to-the-european-court-of-justice-2014

If you would like to comment on this case please e-mail policy@ipo.gov.uk by 01 December 2014.
The UKIPO provides further information about its solicitation of comments:
We understand how difficult it is to provide detailed comments in the time available. The IPO has tight time limits in which to consider and provide advice to ministers on CJ cases. In order to help us provide the right advice, we just need a short email by the deadline stating whether you think the UK should intervene and some general points about how you think we should answer the questions.

You are welcome to follow this email up with more detailed comments after the deadline, which can be taken into consideration if we have chosen to submit observations or if we decide to attend a hearing.

If you are aware of any references to the Court of Justice that are not currently included on our website, you are also welcome to send us your views. If you choose to do this, please include clear information about the case to help us to identify it.

Further information on intellectual property CJ cases can be found on our website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/references-to-the-european-court-of-justice

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