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Patent cases are becoming more and more complex every day. Biotechnology, nanotechnology and semiconductor manufacturing are just a few of the technical fields that Judges may face when presiding over patent cases. Discovery in patent cases also often involves complex and difficult issues of relevancy and further involves disputes that are time consuming to resolve. District court judges typically do not have engineering or technical backgrounds and the caseload burdens that we place on our judges make it very difficult for them to address the discovery disputes that arise in patent cases. Thus, the question becomes what can a judge do if he/she wants or needs assistance in a patent case. Congress and the United States Supreme Court have given judges numerous options.

A recent High Court judgment, Fraser-Woodward v BBC, provides guidance to those that use copyright material for the purposes of criticism or review.

In E-Toyo Global Stationery v Toyo Ink [2005], the first respondent was the registered proprietor of the trade mark Toyo in Class 16 and had been the registered proprietor since 1979. In 2002, the first respondent entered into a registered user agreement with the second respondent to use the Toyo mark. In 2004, a third party (not a party to this action) became a registered user and gained a licence to use the Toyo mark by way of a novation cum registered user agreement with the first respondent. The applicant alleged that as a result of the 2002 registered user agreement, an act of so-called "trafficking" had been committed.

The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) has issued a revised set of examination guidelines for computer-related inventions. The revised guidelines came into effect on April 15 2005.

IP is often regarded as a hidden asset. Larry Cohen and Guy Madewell explain how to manage intangible assets efficiently, and examine whether recent reforms make the UK a potential IP headquarters

The scope and importance of discovery during US patent trials cannot be underestimated. Jack Griem explains how the process works, and highlights the best way to get the most of the system

Spurred on by success in several cases, campaigners in developing countries want to reform the patent system to recognize the place of traditional knowledge. If change comes, it will have a big impact on all patent applicants in the life sciences industry. James Nurton and Emma Barraclough report

By their nature, life science companies are among the more IP-dependent businesses in the corporate world. Any transactions, therefore, will require a more thorough due diligence than is the norm. Paul M Booth and Leslie Mooi outline 10 things you should know about such a company before deciding to invest in, or acquire, it

I've been working as an advertising industry lawyer in many countries around the world for about 15 years now. I must have seen every possible approach from the creative team to try to deliver on the music that a particular client will want for a TV commercial. So far as the Middle East is concerned, I'm afraid I'd say that we have a worse attitude to copyright clearance than I've seen in any other region.

According to Regulation 1768/92/EEC supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) can be granted for novel medicines. They are intended to compensate for the reduced effective lifetime of patents covering such medicines.