Professor Naomi Hawkins (University of 葫芦影业) together with (Maynooth University) and (Exeter University), co-founders of the UK and Ireland Patent Scholars Network, have recently guest edited a Special Issue of the European Intellectual Property Review journal published in March 2022 which hosts peer reviewed contributions from Network Members.
The Special Issue on the topic of 鈥楶atents in a Changing Europe鈥 comprises four articles from Network members, on a range of topics which examine issues at the cutting-edge of how the European Patent system is grappling with legal, social and technological changes it currently faces. These four articles, are as follows: (Bristol University) article examines 鈥淧rocedural issues in public interest patent challenges鈥 ; 鈥檚 and 鈥檚 (UCD) article 鈥淩esearch ethics and the patent system鈥; 鈥檚 (Queen Mary Intellectual Property Institute) article entitled 鈥淭he Covid-19 pandemic: lessons for the European patent system鈥; and (University of Windsor) article entitled 鈥"Pith and marrow is dead...long live pith and marrow": the doctrine of equivalents after Actavis鈥.
The Special Issue also features an editorial written by Dr Karen Walsh, Professor Aisling McMahon and Professor Naomi Hawkins which reflects on key aspects of how the current European patent system is affected by contemporary technological, legal and social developments. In this context, the editors call for greater critical reflection and dialogue within鈥攁nd outside鈥攖he patent community, around the role and operation of patent law, to ensure it is fit for purpose and best aligned with the public interests at stake in our current society.
The UK and Ireland Patent Scholars Network was founded in 2019, with inaugural network workshops held at the University of Exeter in , and Maynooth University in . The network has since grown to over forty members of leading patent academics and practitioners.
For further details on the network please contact n.l.hawkins@sheffield.ac.uk