Features
Although many of those urging patent reform in the US say they want to increase competition and innovation, what they are proposing could, in fact, have the very opposite effect.
It is the forensic science that for many companies has played a key role in turning patents into revenue. And now reverse engineering is more sophisticated than it has ever been before.
There are a number of issues that companies would do well to consider before they accept funds from the US government for R&D
Although IP ownership can be hugely beneficial, it does bring with it risks of certain downsides, from assertions by patent trolls through to potential shareholder suits. A recent survey suggests that certain types of insurance could help to mitigate such risks
It has always been important to be sure that the IP you are acquiring is the IP you want. However, the growing number of ways in which rights can now be monetised means that due diligence is more vital than ever before.
Instead of leaving unused and unwanted intellectual property rights to wither on the vine, companies should think carefully about whether they are suitable candidates to provide the launchpad for a corporate spinout
Patent values in the US, as determined by the top 25 litigation awards/settlements, took a tumble in 2006, dropping from US$5.1 million to US$3.1 million.
Columns
It is no secret that amicus filers are not always interested in the general cause of justice.
A new initiative aimed at standardising the way in whichpatents are valued should be embraced by the business andpatent communities
Investing in the creation of IP is like investing in the property market. You have to know what you are doing if you are to succeed
With their recent MedImmune v Genentechjudgment, the nineSupreme Court justices have changed the licensing landscape in the US
Insights
It was probably the biggest IP get-together in Europe since the INTA held its annual meeting in Amsterdam in 2003. And the pan-European IP Summit was dominated by talk of the continuing impasse in attempts to reform the continent’s patent system.
The much-heralded Gowers Report was not well received by the UK’s music industry. But the industry is wrong and Gowers is right.
From Messrs Fredrik Kjell, Jonas Lindgren, Erik Malm, Henrik Pettersson and Anders Sundelin.
Industry insight
Is the study of patents and patentingtrends just a passing fad and arecompanies really benefiting frompatent analytics? CPA's Rahul Jindaland Bianca McDonogh investigate
