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In early 2005 the IP Division of the Tokyo High Court issued an opinion that helped settle a long-running employee invention dispute between Shuji Nakamura and Nichia. It also offered crucial pointers for companies deciding how to compensate their engineers. Yutaka Miyoshi of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto explains what the court's interpretation means for business

Brazil: The Office of the US Trade Representative said that it will extend its review of Brazil's copyright enforcement practices under the Generalized System of Preferences trade programme. Acting after receiving a petition from the International Intellectual Property Alliance, the Office said that its review will last until September 30. During that time, the Office said, it will examine the effectiveness of the action plan issued by Brazil's National Council to Combat Piracy and Intellectual Property Crimes.

Yutaka Tozaki of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry explains why he believes companies should disclose far more information about their intellectual assets and how his department is encouraging them to do so

Lawyers familiar with US rules on patent invalidation may find some familiar parallels, and some key differences, in the Japanese system. Yoshinari Kishimoto of Sughrue Mion provides a comparative guide

James Nurton, London

Japan has made a series of reforms to its patent litigation system designed to make it far more attractive to litigants. Yoshikazu Iwase of Anderson Mori & Tomotsune sets out seven reasons why foreign companies should launch their infringement suits in Japan and outlines the key changes that have made patent litigation an attractive option

E-commerce is booming in Japan, and it is inevitable that disputes over search-related advertising, meta-tags and sponsored links will arise. Alan N Sutin of Greenberg Traurig, LLP examines the lessons that can be learnt from recent cases in the US

Piracy and counterfeiting offences remain widespread in the Philippines, but a boost to the country's IP protection and enforcement law could change the situation. Ignacio S Sapalo and Augusto R Bundang of Sapalo & Velez give a detailed outline of what is available to rights owners

W Mack Webner of Sughrue outlines trade mark litigation in the US and recommendations for litigation management and budgeting to control litigation costs

A recent US court decision allowing third parties to claim fair use of descriptive trade marks could deter businesses from adopting descriptive marks in the future. But Thomas Zellerbach and Diana Rutowski of Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe explain why no one should be dissuaded from continuing to use such marks as powerful marketing tools