The man from Boeing

It may be the world’s biggest player in the aerospace industry, but despite patent-caused difficulties in its early years, Boeing has not always prioritised the systematic creation and exploitation of IP. Robert Gullette is the man charged with turning things around. View PDF

Features

A keirestu approach to patents

Although many of those urging patent reform in the US say they want to increase competition and innovation, what they are proposing could, in fact, have the very opposite effect. View PDF

Another arrow in the IP quiver

Instead of leaving unused and unwanted intellectual property rights to wither on the vine, companies should think carefully about whether they are suitable candidates to provide the launchpad for a corporate spinout View PDF

Creating profit from reverse engineering

It is the forensic science that for many companies has played a key role in turning patents into revenue. And now reverse engineering is more sophisticated than it has ever been before. View PDF

Doing business with the US government

There are a number of issues that companies would do well to consider before they accept funds from the US government for R&D View PDF

Fighting enterprise-level IP risk

Although IP ownership can be hugely beneficial, it does bring with it risks of certain downsides, from assertions by patent trolls through to potential shareholder suits. A recent survey suggests that certain types of insurance could help to mitigate such risks View PDF

The changing face of due diligence

It has always been important to be sure that the IP you are acquiring is the IP you want. However, the growing number of ways in which rights can now be monetised means that due diligence is more vital than ever before. View PDF

US patent values

Patent values in the US, as determined by the top 25 litigation awards/settlements, took a tumble in 2006, dropping from US$5.1 million to US$3.1 million. View PDF

Insights

Gowers upsets the music industry but does the right thing

The much-heralded Gowers Report was not well received by the UK’s music industry. But the industry is wrong and Gowers is right. View PDF

Seconding the motion to rethink IP education

From Messrs Fredrik Kjell, Jonas Lindgren, Erik Malm, Henrik Pettersson and Anders Sundelin. View PDF

Summit told patent progress unlikely in Europe during 2007

It was probably the biggest IP get-together in Europe since the INTA held its annual meeting in Amsterdam in 2003. And the pan-European IP Summit was dominated by talk of the continuing impasse in attempts to reform the continent’s patent system. View PDF

Columns

Developing a patent valuation standard

A new initiative aimed at standardising the way in which patents are valued should be embraced by the business and patent communities View PDF

Friendly Persuasion

It is no secret that amicus filers are not always interested in the general cause of justice. View PDF

More freedom for licensees after Supreme Court decision

With their recent MedImmune v Genentechjudgment, the nine Supreme Court justices have changed the licensing landscape in the US View PDF

Penny foolish and pound wise?

Investing in the creation of IP is like investing in the property market. You have to know what you are doing if you are to succeed View PDF