• NATIONAL

Delhi High Court rejects Bayer's appeal to introduce patent linkage system in India

In a landmark verdict, the Delhi High Court dismissed Bayer's appeal to introduce the patent linkage system in India and held that the decision to introduce a Patent Linkage system is the prerogative of the Government. The judgement passed by a Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice Muralidhar, upheld the decision passed by Justice Ravindra Bhat who had earlier rejected Bayer's appeal

Foreign University Bill likely to be introduced

The government in a bid to allow the entry of foreign universities and to revamp the country's education system is likely to introduce the bill in the budget session of the Parliament. The cabinet must approve the bill before it can be introduced in parliament.

HCs empowered to order CBI probe without consent of concerned state government: SC

A five-judge Bench of the Apex Court has held that high courts can direct Central Investigation Agency (CBI) to probe cases without the consent of state governments. The verdict came on a bunch of petitions by the West Bengal government, which contended that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) could conduct a probe only with the consent of the state governments.

Appointment of Judges of Karnataka High Court

Hon'ble President of India has appointed Shri Justice Ravi Vijaykumar Malimath, and Smt Justice Bangalore Venkataramiah Nagarathna, Addl. Judges of Karnataka High Court, to be Judges of that High Court, in that order of seniority w.e.f. the dates they assume charge of their respective offices

Appointment of Additional Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court

The Hon'ble President of India has appointed Smt. Justice Sabina, Additional Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, to be a Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, with effect from the date she assumes charge of her office.

Proposal to scrap service tax for power sector projects

The Ministry of Power has sought scrapping of service tax for power sector projects in the Budget for 2010-11. The exemption is already enjoyed by infrastructure projects such as roads, airports, railways and bridges. A 10% service tax is currently levied on power sector projects, after a 2 percentage points cut last February as part of the stimulus package.

Govt seeks opinion on functioning and framework of audience research measurement body (BARC)

The Government has sought the opinion of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on the 'framework and functioning' of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) which is the audience research measurement body formed by broadcasters like Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA), Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) in order to break the monopoly of private audience measurement agencies like TAM and MAP.

Appointment of Additional Judges of Patna High Court

The Hon'ble President appointed (1) Shri Birendra Prasad Verma, and (2) Shri Dinesh Kumar Singh, as Additional Judges of the Patna High Court, in that order of seniority, for a period of 2 years w.e.f. the dates they assume charge of their respective offices.

Appointment of Additional Judges of Madras High Court

The Hon'ble President of India has appointed (1) Shri T.Mathivanan, (2) Shri Ardhanariswamy Arumughaswamy and (3) Miss K.B.K.Vasuki, to be Additional Judges of the Madras High Court, in that order of seniority, for a period of 2 years w.e.f. the dates they assume charge of their respective offices

Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court appointed

The Hon'ble President of India has appointed Shri Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakru, Judge of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court, to be the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.

• INTERNATIONAL

Autogiant "Audi" wins trademark battle.

The European Court of Justice "ECJ" granted registration of Audi's slogan "VORSPRUNG DURCH TECHNIK" which means advancement through technology. Earlier, the EU General Court and OHIM Board of Appeal had refused Audi registration of same on ground that impugned mark was not "immediately distinctive" simply because the public would perceive the slogan to be a promotional formula and that its laudatory nature meant that it was a slogan that could be used by other companies.

UK Digital Economy Bill - published

The latest version of the UK Digital Economy Bill has been published incorporating recent amendments agreed to by the House of Lords. The Bill still includes the power of the Secretary of State to amend copyright law and to require Internet Service Providers to introduce "technical measures" against subscribers; however, any draft orders executed under these powers should be approved by Parliament in secondary legislation.