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A new IP code is being introduced in Italy. Luciano Bosotti and Giancarlo Notaro of Buzzi Notaro & Antonielli d'Oulx provide an in-depth look at Italy's existing patent prosecution system, how it compares with the EPC and how inventors can best benefit from it

The growth of counterfeiting, especially of pharmaceuticals, has raised the prospect of legitimate manufacturers becoming liable for damage caused by counterfeit products. Nick Beckett examines the lessons arising from such disputes in the US

In a landmark decision, the House of Lords has invalidated Amgen's key patent for erythropoietin. James Nurton examines the impact of the ruling

The global reach of the internet poses problems for courts with national jurisdiction. As Neil Smith explains, Yahoo!'s recent attempt to prevent the enforcement of a French judgment against it sheds some light on how these issues will be handled in the US

In a landmark decision, Germany's Supreme Court has put the onus on online auctioneers to stop counterfeit goods being advertised. Henning Hartwig examines whether the ruling will be welcomed by trade mark owners

As business leaders increasingly recognize the value of IP rights, it is more important to consider the tax issues involved in protecting them, argue Isabel Verlinden, Axel Smits and Patrick Boone

In a follow-up to their article in the October issue, David Barron and Alexandra Brodie examine how to enforce business method patents in Europe

US: The Justice Department unveiled a report by its IP Task Force. The report recommends the creation of five new Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) Units in Washington DC, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Nashville and Orlando. The Department has 13 CHIP Units across the US at present. The report also includes calls for an increase in the number of FBI special agents dedicated to investigating IP crimes, and the use of more federal resources and tougher enforcement to tackle infringers. US: A California state court of appeals in Los Angeles upheld a $500 million infringement verdict against biotechnology leader Genentech. Genentech was found to have hidden licensed sales and not paid royalties on human insulin and human growth hormone developed by the City of Hope National Medical Center. US: Biotechnology company Amgen won a federal district court case against Transkaryotic Therapies (TKT) and Aventis Pharmaceuticals. Judge William Young of the district court of Massachusetts ruled that Transkaryotic and Aventis violated two of Amgen's product patents on erythropoietin and two patents with claims on the production of erythropoietin. TKT said it would appeal the decision to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. US: The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of KP Permanent Make-Up Inc v Lasting Impressions on October 5. Lasting Impressions is claiming trade mark infringement against KP Permanent Make-Up for use of the words micro color on the packaging of KP Permanent's products. In hearing the case, the Court asked whether the classic fair use defence to trade mark infringement is an absolute defence, regardless of whether confusion may result.

Alain Pompidou takes over as president of the EPO as industry is becoming increasingly frustrated at the slow pace of patent reform in Europe. MIP visited Munich to ask him about his plans for the presidency. Interview introduced by James Nurton

US patent laws are increasingly affecting activities taking place outside the US. Philippe Signore and Pierre Michon examine six examples of this trend