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An increasing number of foreign companies are expanding in China by way of local mergers and acquisitions. In the first of a two-part guide, Catherine Sun explains what overseas IP counsel need to know to ensure they get the best deal for their client

Recently released guidelines for USPTO examiners should help to clarify what is patentable in the murky area of business methods. John L Dauer, Jr explains what the change in policy will mean

Many Asian jurisdictions have adopted dispute resolution policies modelled on ICANN's UDRP. But understanding key differences between national and international practices could mean the difference between success and failure in the battle against cybersquatters. Jennifer Lam and Gabriela Kennedy explain what you need to know in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan

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

The internet has changed the way we do business. We size up our holiday options in our lunch breaks, select our Christmas gifts online without moving from our seats and communicate with friends and associates by e-mail to plan weekend events and corporate deals. Ours is a digital age, and today's business must harness the capabilities of the internet if it is to succeed in both global and local markets. IP practices are no exception, but while IP firms have not been slow to follow the digital trends in terms of marketing their services, the same cannot always be said for the software they use to support their work.

1. D. The new IP High Court replaced the IP division of the Tokyo High Court in April, and handed down its first ruling on September 30.

US: The control of the international domain name system will remain in the hands of ICANN, a summit of world leaders decided on November 15. Delegates from more than 100 countries meeting at the World Summit on the Information Society also agreed to set up an Internet Governance Forum, which would be run by international governments, NGOs and businesses, to raise internet management issues.

Sam Mamudi, New York

Canada's courts have reaffirmed the principle of first come, first served for trade mark applications. Robert A MacDonald and Jennifer Galeano examine what the new standard means for rights owners

Isabel Davies reveals how INTA decides when to file amicus briefs in trade mark-related cases and, below, INTA subcommittee chairs describe the impact of INTA submissions in different regions