Maintaining consistency and ensuring stability in the patent examination process are crucial to the issuance of quality patents. Marian Underweiser of IBM proposes one way to make the process more predictable
November 2008
The EPO's Enlarged Board of Appeal is set to give a definitive ruling on the patentability of computer programs in Europe
November 2008
In the Bilski decision, the Federal Circuit last month reaffirmed that business methods are patentable in the US, but rejected the "useful, concrete, tangible" test set forth in previous opinions
November 2008
The Federal Circuit last month ruled that the ITC could not extend a limited exclusion order barring the import of Qualcomm chips found to infringe Broadcom's patent to downstream products
November 2008
The European Patent Office has talked about raising the bar, and its allowance rate has fallen in recent years. Hugh Dunlop asks: what’s really going on at the Office?
October 2008
Turmoil in the financial markets over the last few months has led to plunging share prices and boardroom unrest. With IP budgets under intense pressure, Stephen Mulrenan examines what practical steps brand owners can take to negotiate the credit crunch
November 2008
This month, Francis Gurry takes over the role of WIPO director general, as the world's only international organisation dedicated to intellectual property begins its recovery from a period of criticism and stagnation. In an exclusive interview, he discusses the challenges WIPO faces, the changes he will make and why he is the right man for the most important job in IP
October 2008
IP protection in China remains a controversial and politicised issue. Mark Cohen looks back at his four years working as IP attaché at the US Embassy in Beijing
October 2008
The Supreme Court's eBay decision made it harder for patent trolls to obtain injunctions. Bas de Blank and Fabio Marino explain why the ITC may give them an escape route
October 2008
China's National People's Congress has published the latest draft of amendments to its patent law. Managing IP provides a guide to what may change
October 2008
As design protection becomes more common, a number of problems with the Locarno classification have become apparent. David Stone reports on an attempt to update the system
November 2008
India's trade mark registry granted its first sound mark in August this year. Ranjan Narula and Rachna Bakhru look at the implications for brand owners in the region
November 2008
Richard Posell explains why mediation may be a particularly attractive option for resolving trade dress disputes
November 2008
Salvatore Ferragamo last month won a key judgment from Korea's Supreme Court, in the latest in a series of rulings in favour of trade mark owners
November 2008
EU member states last month agreed a deal that would cut the cost of Community trade marks by up to 40%
October 2008
Simon Reeves, director of trade marks at AstraZeneca, has just taken over as ECTA president. He talks about pharmaceuticals, outsourcing and OHIM fee proposals
October 2008
Google has reached a settlement agreement with numerous authors and publishers worldwide who brought a class action suit against the internet company’s proposed Google Book Search engine
1 October 2008
I work for a business with consumer-facing brands. A lot of our customers seem to have avatars in Second Life. How can we ensure our IP rights are not abused in such virtual worlds?
October 2008
Mark Harding explains the issues that await all IP owners as they look to join the digital revolution, and offers five lessons from the music industry's experience
September 2008
Case law surrounding grey market goods is still developing in the United States, but Ronald Dove and Hope Hamilton suggest some practical strategies for successfully preventing their importation and distribution
November 2008
Last month the result of the US WTO case against China for poor IP enforcement was leaked and both sides won on different points. Peter Ollier looks at the implications
November 2008
US Magistrate Judge Stephen Crocker has recently taken on a bigger role at the nation's latest patent rocket-docket. Eileen McDermott spoke to him about how the Court will continue to handle the heavy patent caseload minus one judge, as well as what the future holds
November 2008
Case law surrounding grey market goods is still developing in the United States, but Ronald Dove and Hope Hamilton suggest some practical strategies for successfully preventing their importation and distribution
November 2008
Pharmaceutical companies are adopting new IP strategies to stay competitive. Rakesh Mishra and GVS Sesha Kumar review some of the most successful examples
October 2008
Brands such as Wal-Mart and Mattel have suffered from problems caused by foreign manufacturers. Oliver Herzfeld and Richard Bergovoy provide some guidance on how to minimise the risks
September 2008
Last month the result of the US WTO case against China for poor IP enforcement was leaked and both sides won on different points. Peter Ollier looks at the implications
November 2008
IP protection in China remains a controversial and politicised issue. Mark Cohen looks back at his four years working as IP attaché at the US Embassy in Beijing
October 2008
The US Senate last month approved legislation intended to improve enforcement of IP rights in the US
October 2008