Rest of World
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....  »
EPO project to push patent data beyond the language barrier goes live
First stage of machine-translation scheme makes its debut, with Japan lined up to join the next phase ...  »
ACTA under attack in Europe and US as backers hold firm
European authorities have been asked to examine the anti-counterfeiting legislation following voting chaos. Meanwhile, US politicians have begun to campaign against the text, seeing parallels with SOP....  »
Facebook flotation filing highlights IP risks as significant threat
Social network’s application to go public reveals insights into the IP challenges faced by large technology companies...  »
What becomes of seized counterfeits?
IP experts have urged governments and companies to re-use – rather than dump – seized counterfeit goods. Nick Huber explains how two innovative schemes are using impounded fakes to benefit society...  »
EPO applications defy economic slump with record-breaking 2011
Strong figures on European patent filing defy global economic conditions, as EPO creates team to fine tune its policies for working with emerging markets...  »
IP commercialisation highlights the value of patent analysis
As the economic significance of patents continues to grow, it’s more important than ever for IP managers to have a clear understanding of the value of the assets they and their competitors hold.&nbs....  »
Wikipedia on strike over proposed US IP legislation
Online encyclopaedia shuts down in protest against Acts designed to crack down on online piracy, claiming they will affect the way it distributes information...  »
IP trio seals continental divide with patent portal
Maintaining patent quality is a perennial concern for industry and registries alike, writes Nick Huber. But the Trilateral Offices are tackling the problem by improving access to IP data...  »
Evolution and competition to propel LSO in 2012
LSO’s expansion into new legal disciplines next year will take place against the backdrop of a tougher contest for clients’ hearts and minds, says forecast...  »