In a recent open letter addressed to senior U.S. politicians, Douglas Norman, president of the Intellectual Property Owners Association, called for the government to allow the United States Patent and Trademark Office to spend all the fees it collects in 2011.

The International Trademark Association recently announced the release of a special issue of its publication, the Trademark Reporter, in honor of the journal's 100-year anniversary.

At a time when the U.S. president has emphasized the centrality of intellectual property for the American economy, the United States Patent and Trademark Office is struggling with a range of institutional inefficiencies, according to a recent New York Times report.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization, an industry body that represents the interests of a variety of biotechnology institutions, recently called on the U.S. trade representative to push for greater enforcement of intellectual property rights abroad.

The U.S. Senate is set to debate proposed comprehensive patent reform when it returns from recess on February 28.

European pharmaceutical companies have criticized a recent U.S. government proposal to shorten the patent protection term for biologic drugs, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report.

In a move that could prove very significant for innovators, the European Parliament recently voted to implement a common patent system for European Union member states.

In a recent report for the Washington Legal Foundation, attorney Brian Pandya claimed the issue of induced patent infringement has received increased attention in recent years.

A recent change to the U.S. patent system will enable innovators to expedite the patent application process by paying an additional fee.

A "proactive" approach to legal issues can help companies reduce expenses, minimize risks and protect intellectual assets, according to industry expert George Siedel.

U.S. President Barack Obama's recently announced 2012 budget calls for a reduction in spending in many areas. At this time of fiscal caution, however, the president announced increased government investment in intellectual property enforcement.

The number of international patents filed increased dramatically in 2010, according to a recent report published by the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Document management company Xerox recently announced it is investing greater resources in its intellectual property portfolio.

Following the emphasis on American innovation in President Obama's recent State of the Union address, the White House recently published a report defining the administration's plans in a number of areas, including reform of the U.S. patent system.

The international community needs to adopt robust intellectual property protection measures to ensure the profitability of innovation in the future, according to Thomas Pattloch, IP officer for the European Union delegation in Beijing,

In a recent IT World Canada report, Sensis CIO Tom Uva suggested companies with unique products should protect their intellectual property to maximize profitability.

U.S. commerce secretary Gary Locke recently announced the names of several new appointees to the Patent Public Advisory Committee and the Trademark Public Advisory Committee.

Search engine giant Google recently began implementing a new policy designed to assist intellectual property owners in protecting their assets.

A committee of the European Parliament recently approved plans that may bring Europe one step closer to a unified patent system.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization recently praised the introduction of legislation designed to reform the U.S. patent system dramatically.

Three major international organizations recently announced the second in a series of symposia on medical patents.