Compulsory licensing of standard-essential patents and injunctive relief as abuse of dominant position in violation of Article 102 TFEU

When a dominant undertaking holding a standard-essential patent uses its exclusive right to the IP to seek injunctions against those wishing to produce either de jure or de facto standard compliant products, it creates a conflict between the exclusive right to the use of the IP on the one hand and the possible abuse of dominance due to the exclusionary conduct on the other. The aim of the thesis is to focus on the issues concerning abuse of dominance in violation of Article 102 TFEU when the holder of the standard-essential patent seeks an injunction against a would-be licensee. The thesis is mainly based on the most recent ECJ case law in Huawei and the Commission’s recent decisions in Samsung and Motorola. The case law in Europe prior to those decisions was mainly focused on the German case law from Orange Book Standard which provided IP holders great leverage due to the almost automatic granting of injunctions against infringers. The ECJ in Huawei set out the requirements for when a de jure standard-essential patent holder would not be violating Article 102 TFEU when seeking an injunction, requiring that negotiations in good faith must take place prior to the seeking of the injunction and that all offers must comply with FRAND terms, thus limiting the scope of case law derived from Orange Book Standard in Germany. The ECJ chose not to follow all of the reasoning the Commission had laid out in Samsung and Motorola which provided a more licensee-friendly approach on the matter, but rather chose a compromise between the IP holder friendly German case law and the Commission’s decisions. However, the ECJ did not disclose how FRAND terms themselves should be interpreted, but rather left it for the national courts to decide. Furthermore, the thesis strongly argues that Huawei did not change the fact that only vertically integrated IP holders who have made a FRAND declaration are subject to the terms laid out in Huawei, thus leaving non-practicing entities such as patent trolls and entities that have not made a FRAND declaration outside its scope. The resulting conclusion from the thesis is that while the ECJ in Huawei presented new exceptional circumstances for when an IP holder could be abusing its dominant position when it seeks an injunction, it still left many more questions answered, such as the meaning of FRAND and whether deception in giving a FRAND declaration is prohibited under Article 102 TFEU or not.

Il giudizio di buona fede sull'attività della pubblica amministrazione

L’applicazione del principio di buona fede oggettiva all’attività della pubblica amministrazione, sia contrattuale che provvedimentale, è attualmente fuori discussione, tuttavia i limiti e le modalità attraverso cui questo principio si articola sono ancora oggetto di dibattito dottrinale e giurisprudenziale, in particolare modo per quanto riguarda l’istituto della responsabilità precontrattuale della p.a. Tale ultimo istituto è oggetto di uno specifico approfondimento, che tenterà di analizzare i principali punti cruciali del dibattito: la tutela del legittimo affidamento del privato durante le trattative instaurate con la p.a., la natura giuridica della responsabilità precontrattuale e questioni di stampo più processuale, come il riparto di giurisdizione tra giudice ordinario e amministrativo. Al fine poi di comprendere pienamente le funzioni svolte dal principio di buona fede nell’ambito delle attività pubbliche, sia contrattuali che autoritative, la ricerca si è concentrata anche sulle diverse interpretazioni che gli studiosi del diritto hanno attribuito oggi al giudizio di buona fede, inteso sia come principio civile contrattuale che come nuovo principio amministrativo costituzionalmente orientato. Nel proseguo della dissertazione, infatti, si cerca di valutare l’applicabilità del giudizio di buona fede da un punto di vista interdisciplinare, civile e amministrativo, allo scopo di dimostrare come tale principio sia riuscito lentamente a pervadere anche la materia amministrativa, condizionando in senso garantista non solo il dictum giurisprudenziale, ma anche l’intervento normativo del legislatore.

Lições de Direito dos Contratos

1 – Importância e actualidade do instituto. 2 – Noção de contrato. Sua disciplina no Código Civil. 3 – Relações contratuais de facto. 4 – Princípios fundamentais do regime dos contratos. 5 – Princípio da liberdade contratual. 6 – Princípio do consensualismo. 7 – Princípio da boa fé. A responsabilidade pré-contratual. 8 – Princípio da força vinculativa. 9 – Contratos unilaterais ou não sinalagmáticos e bilaterais ou sinalagmáticos. Contratos gratuitos e onerosos. Contratos cumulativos e aleatórios. 10 – Contratos mistos. União de contratos ou coligação de contratos. 11 – Contrato-promessa. 12 – Pacto de preferência. 13 - Alguns problemas e “contratos em especial”, a título enunciativo, relacionados com as actividades de Gestão, Banca e Seguros: “aspectos contratuais” de direito civil e de direito comercial. § 1 - Importance and actuality of the institute. 2 - Contract notion. Its disciplines in the portuguese Civil Code. 3 – Contractual relations of fact. 4 - Basic principles of the regimen of contracts. 5 - Principle of the contractual freedom. 6 - Principle of “consensualism”. 7 - Principle of the "good faith". The pre-contractual liability. 8 - Principle of the obligatory force (binding). 9 - Unilateral or not bilateral contracts. Free and onerous contracts. Cumulative and random contracts.

Processes and consequences in business ethical dilemmas: The oil industry and climate changes

This paper proposes a framework to examine business ethical dilemmas andbusiness attitudes towards such dilemmas. Business ethical dilemmas canbe understood as reflecting a contradiction between a socially detrimentalprocess and a self-interested profitable consequence. This representationallows us to distinguish two forms of behavior differing by whetherpriority is put on consequences or on processes. We argue that theseforms imply very different business attitudes towards society:controversial or competitive for the former and aligned or cooperativefor the latter. These attitudes are then analyzed at the discursive level in order to address the question of good faith in businessargumentation, i.e. to which extent are these attitudes consistent withactual business behaviors. We argue that consequential attitudes mostlyinvolve communication and lobbying actions aiming at eluding the dilemma.Therefore, the question of good faith for consequential attitudes liesin the consistency between beliefs and discourse. On the other hand,procedural attitudes acknowledge the dilemma and claim a change of theprocess of behavior. They thus raise the question of the consistencybetween discourses and actual behavior. We apply this processes/consequencesframework to the case of the oil industry s climate change ethical dilemmawhich comes forth as a dilemma between emitting greenhouse gases and making more profits . And we examine the different attitudes of two oilcorporations-BP Amoco and ExxonMobil-towards the dilemma.

The Confederate Air Corps Certificate, 1958

A certificate from The Confederate Air Corps that reads, "To all who shall see these presents, greeting: Know yes, that in recognition of his having manifested an unusually high regard for black-eyed peas, turnip greens, hog jowl, sow belly, pot likkers, grits, chittlins, and good old corn squeezins, Dorothy Rungeling is, as of this date, hereby appointed to the rank of Colonel in the Confederate Air Corps. This officer will, by virtue of this appointment, therefore, be obliged to carefully and diligently discharge the duties of the office to which appointed by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. As evidence of his good faith in accepting this commission, the officer named herein will continue to praise the glories of the Deep South, consume a true gentleman's share of the fares mentioned above, pay respectful homage to our lovely Southern Belles, save his Confederate money, harass the carpetbaggers, and always remember that damnyankee is one word. As Secretary of this Corps, I strictly charge and require all officers of the air militia of the South to render such obedience and courtesies as are due an Officer of this distinguished rank and honored position. Done at the City of Montgomery, Alabama, the Cradle of the Confederacy, this Seventh day of July in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty Eight." It is stamped with the name Thadeus P. Throckmorton - Secretary, Confederate Air Corps.

L'intérêt d'assurance comme élément constitutif de la déclaration initiale de risque en assurance de dommages

"Mémoire présenté à la Faculté des études supérieures en vue de l'obtention du grade de maîtrise en droit (LL.M.)"

La problématique du consentement à l'arbitrage multipartite au sein des groupements de sociétés

"Mémoire présenté à la Faculté des Études supérieures En vue de l'obtention du grade de Maîtrise en droit (LL.M.) option : Droit des affaires". Ce mémoire a été accepté à l'unanimité et classé parmi les 15% des mémoires de la discipline.

La utilidad de la consulta previa como instrumento político estudio de caso: “la consulta previa adelantada entre el resguardo Santa Teresita del Tuparro y la petrolera BHP Billiton en el año 2010”

En el presente trabajo de grado, estudiaremos la utilidad de la Consulta Previa como instrumento político, a partir del análisis del proceso adelantado entre el Resguardo Santa Teresita del Tuparro y la Petrolera BHP Billiton en el año 2010, en el municipio de Cumaribo, Vichada, identificando si existen fortalezas y buenas prácticas que permitan equilibrar el interés general y el de las minorías, en beneficio de la gobernabilidad dentro del contexto colombiano. Para cumplir con el objetivo descrito, haremos un análisis de los diferentes roles de los actores involucrados en el presente estudio de caso, desde los conceptos de legitimidad y representatividad y analizaremos si la Consulta Previa adelantada de manera idónea, mediante la aplicación de principios como buena fe, transparencia, comunicación asertiva, y reconocimiento mutuo entre los actores, puede ser una herramienta eficaz, dentro de la democracia participativa.

Rate-dependent fracture toughness of polycrystalline ice

A series of three-point bend tests using single edge notched testpieces of pure polycrystalline ice have been performed at three different temperatures (–20°C, –30°C and –40°C). The displacement rate was varied from 1 mm/min to 100 mm/min, producing the crack tip strain rates from about 10–3 to 10–1 s–1. The results show that (a) the fracture toughness of pure polycrystalline ice given by the critical stress intensity factor (K IC) is much lower than that measured from the J—integral under identical conditions; (b) from the determination of K IC, the fracture toughness of pure polycrystalline ice decreases with increasing strain rate and there is good power law relationship between them; (c) from the measurement of the J—integral, a different tendency was appeared: when the crack tip strain rate exceeds a critical value of 6 × 10–3 s–1, the fracture toughness is almost constant but when the crack tip strain rate is less than this value, the fracture toughness increases with decreasing crack tip strain rate. Re-examination of the mechanisms of rate-dependent fracture toughness of pure polycrystalline ice shows that the effect of strain rate is related not only to the blunting of crack tips due to plasticity, creep and stress relaxation but also to the nucleation and growth of microcracks in the specimen.

A responsabilização do coordenador líder de ofertas públicas de ações por infração ao dever de informar: como indenizar os danos dos investidores?

O presente trabalho analisa a aplicabilidade dos regimes de responsabilidade civil para indenizar os investidores por danos decorrentes de infrações do coordenador líder de oferta pública de ações. A responsabilização desse agente tem por base o dever de agir com elevado padrão de diligência para: (i) assegurar a qualidade das informações; (ii) divulgar informações de forma que permita o investidor tomar uma decisão fundamentada; e (iii) atuar em conformidade com o princípio da boa-fé. Para tanto, serão estudados os regimes de responsabilidade civil subjetiva, fundado na conduta culposa do coordenador líder, e de responsabilidade objetiva, com base no Código de Defesa do Consumidor e no risco da atividade de intermediação financeira em ofertas públicas de ações. Pretende-se, por fim, identificar o regime mais apropriado para a reparação de danos dos investidores.

Relações interorganizacionais e confiança no setor da carcinicultura: um estudo de caso na camanor produtos marinhos

This study investigated how the types of confidence based on competence and good will act in the formation and maintenance of cooperation relationships between the Camanor and its partners (Aquatec, Purina, Caçuá, Uvifrios and Malta / Cleyton). It used organizational approaches on networks based primarily on studies of Powell (1987, 1990), Das and Teng (2000, 2001), Child (2001) and Contractor and Lorange (2004) which have described the advantages that cooperative relationships can provide, as well as their limits as alternative governance structures. Confidence has been considered an important factor affecting the actions and development of organizations involved in networks or in strategic alliances (ZAHEER; HARRIS, 2006) and is the most appropriate control mechanism in these situations (SYDOW, 1998). Confidence is seen from two different approaches: the economic and the sociological (ZAHEER; HARRIS, 2006). To facilitate the understanding of confidence some typologies have been created, as proposed by Barney and Hansen (1994), Lane (1998), Das and Teng (2000), Child (2001) and Wever, Martens and Vandenbempt (2005). This study made use of the case study as proposition of Yin (2005). Semi-structured interviews were held with pre-determined routes, in a single stage performed in early 2008. The research subjects were owners and / or responsible for Camanor and its business partners (Aquatec, Purina, Caçuá, Uvifrios and Malta / Cleyton). Also secondary data were collected in several sites related to the industry and enterprises studied, in addition to data collected by previous studies conducted by CARCINEREDES (2006). The primary data were analyzed using the analysing technique of the content proposed by Bardin (1994). Regarding the secondary data, they were qualitatively analyzed according to documentary analysis technique (BARDIN, 1994). Thus, through the data collected, could be concluded that although there is confidence based on good faith in relationships(UZZI, 1998; OF; TENG, 2001), their presence does not determine the formation and / or maintenance of a partnership, serves only in order to facilitate the relationship, making them more flexible. The confidence based on competence (DAS; TENG, 2001) influenced the formation and maintenance of relations studied. Because whether or not to form a relationship with another organization it is used the perception of the partner acts, namely the reputation (image) as decision basis. And it is through the verification of the performance of the partner activities that will determine the continuation of the partnership

Promoción de la inclusión social a través de programas sociales : Los casos del 'Banco Popular de la Buena Fe' y 'Argentina trabaja'

Este trabajo indaga en clave comparativa las propuestas de inclusión social presentes en dos programas impulsados por el Ministerio de Desarrollo Social de la Nación: el 'Banco Popular de la Buena Fe' y el 'Argentina Trabaja'. El mismo se elaboró a partir de metodología cualitativa, especialmente a través del análisis de documentos ministeriales y de la observación participante en distintos contextos vinculados con su implementación en un municipio de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ambos programas se asemejan en que buscan incluir a sus beneficiarios en el mercado de trabajo, aunque difieren en sus estrategias: mientras que el 'Banco Popular' impulsa el microemprendimiento, el programa 'Argentina Trabaja' propone involucrar a sus destinatarios en empresas cooperativas. A su vez, en su afán por diferenciarse de otros programas sociales promovidos por el Estado en etapas previas (principalmente en la década de los noventa), ambos intentan generar valores y prácticas enmarcadas dentro de la 'economía social'

Promoción de la inclusión social a través de programas sociales : Los casos del 'Banco Popular de la Buena Fe' y 'Argentina trabaja'

Este trabajo indaga en clave comparativa las propuestas de inclusión social presentes en dos programas impulsados por el Ministerio de Desarrollo Social de la Nación: el 'Banco Popular de la Buena Fe' y el 'Argentina Trabaja'. El mismo se elaboró a partir de metodología cualitativa, especialmente a través del análisis de documentos ministeriales y de la observación participante en distintos contextos vinculados con su implementación en un municipio de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ambos programas se asemejan en que buscan incluir a sus beneficiarios en el mercado de trabajo, aunque difieren en sus estrategias: mientras que el 'Banco Popular' impulsa el microemprendimiento, el programa 'Argentina Trabaja' propone involucrar a sus destinatarios en empresas cooperativas. A su vez, en su afán por diferenciarse de otros programas sociales promovidos por el Estado en etapas previas (principalmente en la década de los noventa), ambos intentan generar valores y prácticas enmarcadas dentro de la 'economía social'

Promoción de la inclusión social a través de programas sociales : Los casos del 'Banco Popular de la Buena Fe' y 'Argentina trabaja'

Este trabajo indaga en clave comparativa las propuestas de inclusión social presentes en dos programas impulsados por el Ministerio de Desarrollo Social de la Nación: el 'Banco Popular de la Buena Fe' y el 'Argentina Trabaja'. El mismo se elaboró a partir de metodología cualitativa, especialmente a través del análisis de documentos ministeriales y de la observación participante en distintos contextos vinculados con su implementación en un municipio de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ambos programas se asemejan en que buscan incluir a sus beneficiarios en el mercado de trabajo, aunque difieren en sus estrategias: mientras que el 'Banco Popular' impulsa el microemprendimiento, el programa 'Argentina Trabaja' propone involucrar a sus destinatarios en empresas cooperativas. A su vez, en su afán por diferenciarse de otros programas sociales promovidos por el Estado en etapas previas (principalmente en la década de los noventa), ambos intentan generar valores y prácticas enmarcadas dentro de la 'economía social'