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The European parliament has finally approved the Copyright Directive. The Directive aims to harmonize protection for copyright protected works and update European copyright law for the internet age. It should now be implemented in each member state within the next 18 months.

The decision on February 14 to overturn the injunction against Barnes and Noble has re-ignited the furore over business method and software patents and raised fundamental questions about their validity, and purpose. Is there a future for business methods? Tabitha Parker investigates

The US is ready to take punitive action against Ukraine, if the eastern European country does not clamp down on copyright pirates immediately.

Could the Napster saga finally be ending? On February 20, two weeks after losing a court battle to stay alive, the music-swapping company offered to pay $1 billion to settle the dispute once and for all.

First you lose $20 million. Then you get it back. Then you lose it again. That is the scenario facing an Indianapolis company, Biomet, which makes orthopedic products.

In three rare decisions on patent law, the Supreme Court of Canada has clarified controversial questions about the date of construction and claim language. James D Kokonis QC, Dennis SK Leung and Colin B Ingram explain

Four years into the Community Trade Mark, the number of decisions is escalating. David H Tatham reviews the most important cases of the past year

Throughout the emerging markets, software piracy remains one of the biggest problems. The Business Software Alliance is at the forefront of tackling it. Two members reveal their experience to MIP

In an unexpected turnaround, on December 26 2000, the Clinton administration killed a proposal to allow imports of low-priced prescription drugs into the United States. Congress abandoned the controversial plan on the grounds that it would be unsafe and would not achieve its aim of providing the public with cheap drugs. Describing the proposal as severely flawed, Donna E Shalala , secretary of health and human services, echoed the concerns of pharma companies who believed that without sufficient funding and strict regulations, the plan would have had a devastating effect on public safety.

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