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There has been much press and publicity lately about the US Supreme Court's increased interest in patent cases. Indeed, already this year, the Supreme Court has issued decisions in three patent cases – MedImmune, KSR and Microsoft. The Supreme Court is considering review of several other patent cases. This increased interest by the Supreme Court in patent cases is expected to continue.

KSR relaxed the standard for invalidating patents on the grounds of obviousness. But how has it been applied so far? John Isacson looks at the lessons for applicants

The effective implementation of the so-called Paediatric Regulation (Regulation 1901/2006, as amended) is taking place. The Regulation came into force in January 2007, but the necessary measures for the implementation of the Regulation are only now under way. In particular, the newly established Paediatric Committee (PDCO) held its first meeting on July 4 to 5 2007, where it set out its future action plan. The meeting was chaired by Daniel Brasseur, former chair of the Paediatric Working Party, pending the election of a chair by the PDCO in September 2007.

On December 12 2007, EU Directive 2005/29/EC on Unfair Commercial Practices (UCPD) will enter into force in the member states. The Directive fully harmonizes rules within the EU regarding business-to-consumer (B2C) relations and is a big step towards creating a pan-European advertising market without borders. It means that it will be possible to use common advertising campaigns throughout the EU.

In a criminal action for infringement or unfair competition, the Department of Justice (DOJ) conducts a preliminary investigation. If it is convinced that probable cause exists, it files a complaint (called the Information) before the proper regional trial court (RTC). In case the DOJ moves to withdraw the information, should the RTC grant this as a matter of course? And if the DOJ decides to file the same Information again, will this constitute double jeopardy? These are the main issues tackled in the case of Summerville General Merchandising & Co Inc vs Hon Antonio Eugenio Jr et al GR 163741, decided by the Supreme Court on August 7 2007.

One of the main problems in enforcing IP rights against transit merchandise in Mexican Customs has been the interpretation of the concept of "importation" that some local officers apply when dealing with infringement proceedings, specifically with border measures.

A monthly column devoted to IP curiosities and controversies, named in honour of John of Utynam - who received the world's first recorded patent in 1449

IP owners in Japan have traditionally been reluctant to take their disputes to court. But things are beginning to change. Tomokatsu Tsukahara, the new chief of the IP High Court, and Masami Ichikawa, presiding judge of the IP division at the Tokyo District Court, told Peter Ollier about the changing face of IP litigation in Japan

Andrew Hammond of Valea looks back at the lead-up to the EPO Enlarged Board’s recent decision regarding divisional applications and forward to its possible consequences

Three years ago the European Patent Office launched an innovative project to consider how the IP environment may evolve by 2025. What they discovered will have far-reaching consequences for IP users, owners and policy makers, says project leader Shirin Elahi