News: Five developments shaping Americas IP strategies From smartphones to red shoes to copyright reform, 2012 has been a year of groundbreaking decisions and landmark legislation in the Americas. Eileen McDermott and Alli Pyrah look at five major developments, and what they mean for the year ahead
Brazil: The best use of biological resources Rana Gosain of Daniel Advogados explains recent measures to protect Brazil’s biological resources at the same time as allowing for sustainable use
The Caribbean: Islands compared and contrasted Gabriela Bodden of E-Proint gives an overview of IP matters in the Caribbean, where the IP process is often slow and the legislation antiquated
Chile: Tax incentives for R&D The new R&D Act is a real tax incentive to companies that invest in research, and will boost Chile’s already growing economy, say Francisco Silva and Rodrigo León of Silva & Cia
Mexico: How to use PPHs Octavio Espejo of Becerril Coca & Becerril explains the workings of patent prosecution highways in Mexico, and how the first 18 months of the agreement with the USPTO have gone
Mexico: The complexities of well-known marks Jorge Gomez and Jonathan Rangel of Dumont Bergman Bider & Co lay out the detailed process of obtaining a well known or famous trade mark declaration, and whether it is worth the time and expense
US: Strategy and the America Invents Act Michael W O’Neill and Andrew Z Weaver of Novak Druce + Quigg explain how the America Invents Act will affect prosecution strategy and monitoring of competitors
US: Trends in Delaware post-Twombly Pilar G Kraman of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor explains how motions to dismiss in patent infringement cases have changed over the years
Venezuela: On the verge of rescuing IP Ana E Hernández of Hoet Peláez Castillo & Duque explains how a Supreme Court decision will lead to the creation of new IP law
