Insights
Although IP is gaining greatervisibility inside corporations,what that often means ispatents. In too many casestrademarks are beingignored. This is bad newsfor in-house practitionersbut also, potentially, for theiremployers
Management report
No matter what stage of the businesscycle they have reached, it is critical forcompanies in the life sciences sector toidentify, protect and effectively managetheir intellectual property if they wantto maximise their chances of enduringsuccess in the marketplace. A well-built,well-maintained IP portfolio enhancescompetitiveness, increases differentiationand can make a business more attractiveto potential investors. It may also provideadditional revenue streams where there areopportunities for it to be licensed or sold.
Columns
The headlines proclaim that NPE suitsare up and awards paid to them arehigher than for operating companies.The reasons why, and who among IPplaintiffs and defendants act in badfaith, can be revealing
In two recent appeals involving Appleand Samsung, the Federal CircuitCourt of Appeal has raised the barfor enjoining sales of a competitor’sinfringing products in the United States.Now patentees must establish thatthe infringing feature actually drivesconsumer demand before being grantedan injunction
A new trend is emerging for formerlysecretive companies to open up boththeir patent portfolios and IP activitiesto public scrutiny. While this may seema refreshing change, is it always a goodidea to follow suit?
Features
While there is an increased focus ongreen technology and intellectualproperty, confusion remains aboutwhat qualifies as ‘green’. Industryleader Philips offers some concreteexamples of how to define andmeasure green patents
Introducing the five individualsselected to enter the IP Hall ofFame in 2013 for their stellarcontributions to the IP space
Those looking for cutting-edgedevelopments in the way that IP isintegrated into wider society – at aneducational, corporate and financiallevel – are increasingly turning theirgaze to Asia, and to four countriesin particular
While litigation brings substantialrisk and requires significantinvestments of time and money,mediation offers the opportunity toachieve a win-win outcome for bothsides – and at a fraction of the cost
IP privateering, while rare, doesexist. The target of such efforts cantypically do little more than fightthem off, unless it can establishwho is behind them. The practiceis likely to continue unless and untila regulatory actor steps in to placeboundaries on its commercial use
Patent catalogues are invaluable forcompanies needing a quick answerto what IP assets they own and whatthese are worth. As investor interestin IP monetisation continues to soar,a well-maintained catalogue can bea crucial part of a business strategy
Entities whose business strategyis centred on IP monetisation areoperating in an industry that isundergoing rapid transformationand controlled growth
The America Invents Acts took fulleffect on 16th March 2013, andstrategic integration of its provisionsinto IP portfolio development,IP litigation and IP transactionalmatters will continue to be ofparamount importance
A little more than 300 entities own over 50% of all active patents in the United States. They are the companies which hold portfolios comprising 1,000–plus US patents and each one is named in this follow-up to the US Patent 100 list published earlier this year in IAM
Industry insight
The UK’s new Patent Box regime offersIP owners a new way in which to leveragetheir rights in order to create significanttax savings, writes Bob Stembridge ofThomson Reuters
