Patents
EU swings and roundabouts hinder single patent’s approval
Matt Packer outlines the latest political manoeuvres that have left Europe’s unitary patent in limbo once again...  »
Grand visions for grander innovations
Large-scale, state-managed projects make impressive showcases for the inventive spirit – but only in rare cases are they impervious to external factors, writes Matt Packer...  »
EU resolution for more effective action on fakes
Following last year’s setback for European enforcement against bogus goods, a crusading MEP is working to untangle the thorny issue of goods in transit, writes Jo Russell...  »
Satellite offices aim to slash US patent backlogs and boost jobs
USPTO hopes to enhance efficiency and help innovators bring their products to market more quickly by branching out across the country...  »
Please RT: Twitter patent agreement leaves experts unconvinced
A promise by Twitter to give its employees more power and control over their inventions looks set to shake up corporate IP policies. But, writes Nick Huber, some patent experts warn that it could be b....  »
Non-practising entities drive patent suit defence costs to $29bn, says study
Patent portfolio holding companies are damaging SME finances, according to a major law school – but the leader of one such company argues they are making a valuable contribution...  »
Patent pugilism: historic squabbles over standards and status
History is peppered with rivalries between inventors, but the best ones are those that decide the future of entire infrastructures. Matt Packer charts the stories behind those momentous struggles...  »
Auction of major Kodak patent portfolios cleared at Bankruptcy Court
Ruling splits off sale of patent holdings from final stages of ownership dispute, as photography giant continues to weather financial difficulties...  »
Sound R&D policies help France, Switzerland and Germany to weather economic woes
Matt Packer examines the research and development programmes of three European nations, in light of their strong results on international patent filings...  »
European companies face mounting pressure on their own doorstep
While a cursory glance at the latest patent filing statistics for Europe show a steady increase in the region, the devil is in the detail – for the number of European companies filing in Europe is i....  »