15th Annual Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot Competition
The Oxford Intellectual Property Research Centre (OIPRC) is delighted to announce arrangements for the 2017 Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot, and invites universities from around the world to enter the competition.
The problem for the 2017 Moot concerns the case Whispering Gums Winery v Loddon River Vineyards [2016] HCE 12. This case revolves around: (1) a patent in relation to a bottle that enhances the effervescence of sparkling wines; and (2) whether the defendant's use of the word “Erewine” on an elderflower, non-alcoholic, drink constitutes extended passing off.
Participation in the oral rounds is by invitation only, on the basis of two written submissions prepared by teams wishing to compete. These submissions (of 3,000 words each) must be submitted by 3:00 pm on Monday 12 December 2016. Invitations will be issued in mid-January 2017.
The registration fee includes Moot participation and social events such as the Friday night IP Conversazione and dinner, and Saturday night formal dinner. Only those teams who are invited to the oral proceedings will be required to pay the registration fee, which will be due in early February 2017. Teams will be responsible for their own accommodation costs and for travel to and from the Moot – although we will be able to arrange excellent rates for teams to stay at our host college, Pembroke College. Teams may bring a coach and/or observer (for an additional fee). Details about the fees are available in the Moot Rules.
The oral proceedings will comprise four preliminary rounds, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and a Grand Final. Teams may comprise two or three students, with any two team members speaking in any given moot. The Grand Final is always held before senior members of the judiciary; in 2016, the bench was Lord Justice Kitchin, Lord Justice Floyd and Mr Justice Birss.