Asia Pacific
Banking group sounds alarm over potential abuse of finance gTLDs
Leading European watchdog highlights suffixes that could be snatched by ‘unscrupulous individuals’ aiming to defraud consumers of financial services, writes Nick Huber...  »
A compulsory weakening of the patent system?
Two high-profile decisions to requisition patents from pharmaceutical companies may conflict with key provisions in international IP agreements, writes Matt Packer...  »
Innovative lifetimes honoured in EPO awards
Technological, social and economic contributions of leading inventor-industrialists recognised in keynote shortlist...  »
Google answers searching questions on IP ownership
Company clarifies that rights in content submitted to cloud-storage facility will remain with their creators...  »
US shutdown for non-lawyer ownership debate
American Bar Association dramatically closes door on alternative business structures for law firms...  »
Donkey Kong and a very different kind of brand confusion
Standard branding mix-ups tend to end up in court. But there are other sagas over product names and logos that are just the result of innocent misunderstandings, writes Matt Packer...  »
Microsoft wields trademark law as weapon in malware battle
Distribution methods for harmful programs land Zeus racketeers a brand-abuse lawsuit...  »
Strength in fewer numbers: law firms consolidate in merger surge
For law firms aiming to exploit the global market, standalone expansion may no longer make economic sense, writes Nick Huber. Instead, many are aiming to meet their international ambitions through mer....  »
Blow for liberalisation of US law firms – but debate over issue goes on
A New York judge has dismissed a lawsuit launched to shake up the financial and management structures of traditional US law firms. Matt Packer examines the ruling, and asks: what now for America’s l....  »
Highway of convenience links UK and German patent applicants
Filing process set to improve for innovators aiming to secure patents on a bilateral basis...  »