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We hear all of the time that the internet has changed our lives. Well, it also has changed the way we practise law and has allowed us to obtain information about US patents, patent applications, and patent cases almost instantaneously. Such information enables us to answer our client's questions cost effectively. I have found that several of the US government-sponsored, IP-related websites are particularly helpful. Moreover, these sites are free and do not require an account set-up.

The government has announced that it wants to make a number of key changes to Korea's Patent Act. It is expected to submit a bill introducing the changes to the National Assembly in October 2005. The proposed revisions deal with the following points:

Keeping legal advice confidential is a crucial part of any litigation strategy. Des Ryan explains how recent Australian cases on privilege could force companies to re-examine how they seek guidance from their lawyers and IP specialists

Setting a royalty rate is an essential part of any technology agreement. Gareth Morgan considers the lessons from three recent English cases where royalty clauses were disputed

Emma Barraclough

The Singapore Patents Act deals with international patent applications that enter the National Phase in Singapore via PCT Chapter II (where the international filing date is before July 1 2004). Under the Act, the Patent Office must receive a copy of the International Preliminary Examination Report (IPER) before it can grant a patent. Simply issuing an IPER does, however, not guarantee that an international application is patentable.

Scientific research that looks for useful applications, processes, or products in nature is called biodiversity prospecting, or bioprospecting. In many cases, bioprospecting is a search for useful organic compounds in microorganisms, plants, and fungi that grow in extreme environments, such as rainforests, deserts, and hot springs. Malaysia, being one of the 12 mega-diverse countries in the world, and rich with biological diversity, is an attractive location for scientists to conduct these bioprospecting activities.

There is more to registering a trade mark than simply filling out a form. A trade mark search can be an invaluable aide in assessing whether your mark has validity, says Tamar Niv Bessinger

After months of fierce debates, EU Council ministers adopted a common position on the controversial software patent directive last month. The adoption was unexpected, leaving the European Parliament fully responsible for the future of the law. Stéphanie Bodoni reports

China must make its companies more IP-savvy if it is to graduate from being the world's factory floor to become a technological leader. Emma Barraclough looks at what needs to change and examines three companies that are leading the way