Expert Analysis

WIPO's bid to expand its headquarters has so far cost the organization more than SFr90 million, and led to five investigations and one criminal enquiry. Following the latest report, released by Ernst & Young in December, WIPO's managers want to draw a line under the affair. But some member states believe too many questions remain unanswered. Stéphanie Bodoni investigates

As global IP chief for one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, Jackie Leimer has considerable experience of working with private practice law firms. She shares some of her insights with Sam Mamudi

Haier, the Qingdao-based appliance maker, certainly has ambition. While many domestic rivals focus their efforts on supplying China's 1.2 billion home-grown market and others manufacture products to be sold overseas under foreign trade marks, Haier has been rapidly building its brand in China and abroad and has set its sights on becoming one of the top three white goods companies in the world. Emma Barraclough spoke to legal affairs director Su Xiaoxi

Legislative changes coupled with recent court decisions have established dilution as viable grounds for opposition across Latin America. But, say Iris Quadrio and Menachem Kaplan, there is still some way to go before the region fully embraces the doctrine

In a recent case, the English Patents Court tried the issue of infringement separately from the issue of validity. While this was a first for the UK, it is normal practice in Düsseldorf and other German courts. Alan Johnson asks whether the hearing is likely to set a precedent and make English trials more like their German counterparts

Will the introduction of post-grant opposition provide greater opportunities to patent challengers in the US? A letter from John P Sutton