News story: Enhancements to the patent information and document service

In response to feedback from our customers, we’ve introduced improvements to our on-line patent information and document service, Ipsum. These are designed to make it easier for customers to file observations on the patentability of published patent applications. We are also providing additional information on patent compliance dates and licences of rights which have been recorded on granted patents.

Observations about patentability

Customers who wish to make observations about the patentability of a published patent application will now be given the opportunity to do this directly from the patent case details screen on the Ipsum service.

If a patent application has been published but not granted, the “Make s21 observations” link will allow customers to file their observations via a dedicated email address. The email automatically includes details of the patent application number and the name of the first applicant recorded on the patent application, making easier for customers who will then only have to provide the relevant information to support their observations.

Further information on making observations about patentability is available.

Information on the compliance date

The case details information will now display the date by which a patent application must comply with all the legal requirements or else be treated as refused.

This date is referred to as the “compliance date” and Ipsum will display this information on the case details of all published patent applications which have not yet been granted. Ipsum will also provide details on cases where the original compliance date has been extended.

This will help make it clear for patent applicants and interested parties the deadline by which a patent application must be ready for grant of a patent.

Information on a licence of right date on granted patents

The case details on Ipsum will also display information showing the date on which a licence of right has been recorded on the patents register. This is an entry which indicates that the patent owner is willing to allow anyone the right to a licence under that patent.

Displaying this information will allow interested parties to clearly see that a licence of right is available, making it easier for them to contact the patent owner and negotiate a licence.

Further details on licensing and licences of right is available.

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News story: Local people get a greater say in healthcare as Monitor authorises 2 new foundation trusts

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and Kent Community Health NHS Trust have both become foundation trusts. There are now 150 NHS foundation trusts in total, almost two-thirds of all trusts in England’s NHS.

Providing a range of services including mental health, intellectual disability and community health services to over a million people, Nottinghamshire Healthcare is the first trust providing high-security psychiatric services to be awarded foundation trust status. It runs Rampton Hospital and also provides healthcare in 13 prisons across the country.

Kent Community Health NHS Trust is the third community trust to become a foundation trust, and is the second largest community trust in England. It will now have more freedom to tailor and improve how it cares for patients in their homes and communities, which could reduce the need for patients to go to hospital for treatment.

Miranda Carter, Monitor’s Executive Director of Provider Appraisal, said:

The approval of 2 new foundation trusts is good news for patients across England who will get a greater say in their local healthcare services, and for the trusts which will benefit from extra freedoms.

Having the ability to receive treatment outside of hospital and close to home matters to patients. It’s also important that patients get the chance to put their views across on their local healthcare, and as new foundation trusts Kent Community Health and Nottinghamshire Healthcare will be able to offer this to local patients.

As NHS foundation trusts, Kent Community Health and Nottinghamshire Healthcare will be:

• free from central government control and able to decide how to improve services for patients


• able to retain any surpluses they generate to invest in new services, and borrow money to support these investments


• accountable to their local communities, with local people able to become foundation trust members and governors

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News story: New powers to tackle drug driving

Motorists who get behind the wheel after taking illegal drugs face a criminal record, loss of their licence for at least a year and a fine of up to £5000. The legislation makes it illegal to drive with certain drugs in the body above specified levels, including 8 illegal drugs and 8 prescription drugs. People using prescription drugs within recommended amounts will not be penalised.

Police forces will have access to new screening equipment to test suspected drug drivers. Officers can screen drivers for cannabis and cocaine at the roadside. They will be able to test for these and other drugs including ecstasy, LSD, ketamine and heroin at a police station, even if a driver passes the roadside check. New devices that can test for a greater number of drugs at the roadside will be developed in the future.

This new law, coupled with the testing kits, will make it quicker to identify those driving under the influence of drugs and help the prosecution of drug drivers. It remains an offence to drive when impaired by any drug, including medical drugs.

Road Safety Minister Robert Goodwill said:

This new law will save lives. We know driving under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous; it devastates families and ruins lives.

The government’s message is clear - if you take drugs and drive, you are endangering yourself and others and you risk losing your licence and a conviction.

The law covers use of 8 drugs commonly associated with medicinal use, that are sometimes abused, that have been set at higher limits based on the available evidence of the road safety risk and to reflect their use as medicines. These are:

• morphine used to treat pain – opiate/opioid based medication will metabolise (chemically change) into morphine and show in a blood result


• diazepam


• clonazepam


• flunitrazepam


• lorazepam


• oxazepam


• temazepam used to treat anxiety or inability to sleep


• methadone used to treat drug addiction

Amphetamine used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Parkinson’s disease is also planned to be included within the offence shortly, subject to Parliamentary approval.

See drug driving and the law for further detail.

New research conducted by THINK! reveals that 1 in 5 (20%) of those surveyed know someone who has driven after taking illegal drugs. Almost half of those surveyed (49%) said that as a passenger, they would not feel comfortable asking a driver if they were under the influence of illegal drugs.

Of those who admitted to driving under the influence of illegal drugs, 55% said they did so because they felt safe to drive and 60% revealed they had previously driven a car when they were unsure if they were still under the influence of illegal drugs.

Dr Kim Wolff, Reader in Addiction Science at King’s College London and an advisor for the government drug drive policy, said:

It is worrying to note that so many drug drivers said they felt safe to drive after taking illegal drugs. Illegal drugs seriously impair skills required to drive safely, such as reaction time and decision making. In many cases those who take certain illegal drugs believe that they are safe to drive, but are in fact putting themselves and others at risk. Greater awareness of the dangers of drug driving is important as we move forward with this important step towards safer roads.

To support the legislation change, THINK! is launching a new awareness campaign on radio, online and in pub and club washrooms. Following the change in the law, THINK! advises:

Drugs can affect driving in numerous ways, ranging from slower reaction times, erratic and aggressive behaviour, an inability to concentrate properly, nausea, hallucinations, panic attacks, paranoia, tremors (or ‘the shakes’) to dizziness and fatigue. Getting behind the wheel in such a condition is dangerous for the driver, their passengers and other road users.

If a person has taken illegal drugs they should not endanger others by driving.

Taking a mixture of drugs to ‘sharpen up’ doesn’t work – in fact, combining drugs can have dramatic and unpredictable effects on a user’s state and ability to drive.

Don’t accept a lift from a driver you know or think may have taken drugs.

Some medicines that are sometimes abused are also included in the new law. However, if you are taking medicines as directed and your driving is not impaired, then you are not breaking the law. To find out more, ask your doctor or a member of the pharmacy team.

Roads media enquiries

Press enquiries 020 7944 3066

Out of hours 020 7944 4292

Public enquiries 0300 330 3000

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Ronaldo 30th but Real held

Cristiano Ronaldo reached 30 La Liga goals for the season but could not prevent Villarreal from grabbing a share of the points in the Bernabeu Sunday in an entertaining 1-1 draw.



source CNN.com - Sport http://ift.tt/1N6teWw

Rafa back to equal record

Rafael Nadal lifted his first trophy since last year's French Open and for good measure equaled a long-standing ATP Tour record Sunday by claiming the Argentina Open crown.



source CNN.com - Sport http://ift.tt/1M21LUh

News story: Defence Secretary thanks UK military personnel tackling ISIL

During his second visit to Cyprus, Mr Fallon met RAF personnel from 903 Expeditionary Air Wing who are providing the UK’s contribution to coalition air operations against ISIL.

He discussed the campaign and spoke to the pilots who are flying twice daily missions as the UK continues to make the second largest contribution to coalition airstrikes in support of Iraqi forces.

The Defence Secretary also met troops from 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, and received a briefing on the key role they are playing in the training programme to build the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces.

So far over 1000 Kurdish Peshmerga have completed training and the UK will lead the Coalition’s counter-IED training programme which is due to start this month.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

I am proud of the work the 400 personnel based here are doing to help the Iraqi Government to defend their country against the ISIL ‘cancer’.

While this fight will take time, the coalition’s airstrikes are having a direct effect in supporting Iraqi ground operations against ISIL.

In the North, areas around Mount Sinjar have been retaken, bringing relief to the local Yazidi population and applying pressure to ISIL forces in Mosul. In the South, Iraqi forces operations are beginning to push back ISIL.

Britain’s contribution is playing to our strengths. By leading the counter-IED training this month our troops will be using their expertise to give Iraqi forces a vital capability in taking the fight to ISIL.

The RAF base has been home to extensive air capabilities since coalition air operations began last year.

These include:

• Tornado GR4s which have conducted 159 strikes


• Voyager which has played a crucial role in refuelling UK and coalition aircraft


• C130 transport aircraft which have delivered both humanitarian aid and military support


• and finally the recently deployed E3-D Sentry which has enhanced the coalition’s airborne control and surveillance capability.

Find out more about the latest air strikes on Iraq

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Chelsea claims first silverware of English season

Chelsea claimed the first silverware of the English domestic season and Jose Mourinho's first trophy of his second spell in charge with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Sunday.



source CNN.com - Sport http://ift.tt/1G7nmKK