Europe
EPO flags six of the best in worldwide green patents league
The six nations with the strongest records on IP for clean technologies have been named in a major European Patent Office research programme...  »
Online legal library ‘Googles’ cash award
A non-profit website is set to grow its library of statutory law records after winning a grant from Google...  »
Falling European bio-patent numbers reflect focus on quality control, says EPO chief
A decrease in the number of bio-patents issued by the European Patent Office has been the natural result of an intense drive for patent quality, says the organisation’s president, Benoît Battistell....  »
Facebook and employment law: hit the 'friends only' button for now
Germany is considering banning recruitment managers’ use of Facebook for hiring decisions. Nabarro LLP’s Catherine Richmond sets out the legal basis for the ban...  »
Finding the balance in a legal outsourcing agreement
Putting the appropriate service-level agreement in place is paramount to effective outsourcing contracts, writes Ravi Shukia. Here is an insight into the factors that must be negotiated...  »
ICANN ushers in a new international era
The appointment of ICANN’s first-ever Arab-speaking director signals plans for the domains authority to expand its global reach...  »
Law firms of the 21st century: evolution or revolution?
There is no question that the worst recession for 80 years has had a major impact on the legal sector, writes Bryan Hughes. But what will be the long-term effect on law firms? Eversheds LLP’s ‘Law....  »
A return to stability for mergers and acquisitions?
Some industry specialists are predicting an increase in merger and acquisition activity in 2010. But, asks Ernst & Young’s Rhys Phillip, how much of this is substantiated and how much is wishful....  »
Europe's Court of Justice, in-house lawyers and the death of privilege
A new European ruling on competition matters has shaken the business community and dismayed lawyers. Matt Packer’s latest blog looks at the background to the case concerned and finds out how its out....  »
‘Trolls’ continue to swallow up patents – and investment funds
Often dubbed ‘patent trolls’, non-practising entities are far from ugly in the eyes of investors. Netting an estimated $6-$8bn of investment in the past eight years, they are a major force in IP m....  »