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After five years of consultation and preparation, Europe has a set of final proposals to modernise its trade mark system. They have been welcomed as clear and sensible, but the issues are so wide-ranging that some changes will inevitably cause problems. James Nurton and Simon Crompton

David Latham, a partner in the London office of Hogan Lovells, passed away suddenly last month at the age of 58. A friend of and contributor to Managing IP, as well as a valuable member of many of the industry's associations, he will be missed here and across the IP industry.Born in Earls Court, to a minister and a doctor, David was an excellent student and a graduate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, where he obtained both his LLM and MA in Law. After joining the firm – then called Durrant Piesse – as an assistant solicitor in July 1986, he was made partner in the firm's IP practice after two years.

New US review of business-method patents Broad interpretation of eligible patents CLS v Alice also being reheard en banc As the biggest business-method case of the year – CLS v Alice – began to be reheard last month, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) ruled in the first case under a system designed to deal with these controversial issues far earlier.

António Vitorino publishes recommendations Licensing favoured over levies Attempt to reconcile national systems Europe should overhaul the way it operates its system of copyright levies. That's the conclusion of the man who has the job of mediating between copyright owners and the makers of devices that enable consumers to copy content

Apple wins mark after 2 1/2 years Complex, 122-page application required Goes beyond other US store marks After a lot of effort, Apple has finally obtained a trade mark on the layout of its minimalist stores. The mark covers details such as its clear glass fronts, recessed lighting and rectangular tables.

As of February 22, there have been 142 petitions for inter partes review (IPR) and 15 petitions for post grant review of covered business methods (CBM) filed at the USPTO – but how are they being decided? And what effect have they had on litigation? Eileen McDermott investigates

Has anyone been willing to defend the utility model patent lately? Once touted as a way for developing IP regimes to take baby steps toward innovation, the “petty patent” has come under fire recently for allegedly lowering patent quality and clogging up the system to prevent breakthrough advances.

In today’s IP round up: Microsoft’s four-point patent reform plan; copyright fines in New Zealand; battle over Oscar; MARQUES prompts debate on CTM reforms; and Thomson Reuters analyses BRICK patenting

Acacia Research (ACTG) reported record revenues this week of $250.7 million , up from $184.7 million the previous year

Microsoft has struck its eighteenth licensing agreement with an Android device maker - this time with Nikon for cameras running the Android platform