When seeking intellectual property protection for new inventions, companies are often asked to submit explanatory illustrations that accompany the patent applications. But while some applicants view this is a mere administrative hassle, IP Watchdog founder Gene Quinn recently suggested that these simple drawings could prove valuable in the long term.

The integration of social media and television may be the next frontier in consumer entertainment, and a new patent application from Comcast may go a long way toward fueling its growth.

Intellectual property experts have received a glimpse into how provisions of the America Invents Act may redefine supplemental patent examination processes following the release of proposed rule changes from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

President Obama broached the issue of intellectual property protection several times in his State of the Union address on Tuesday. But as Congress continues its debate of controversial digital piracy legislation, at least one expert is suggesting that businesses may be better served by a reorganization of the the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

With additional provisions of the America Invents Act set to debut in 2012, companies should already be preparing to adjust their intellectual property strategies accordingly.

While some critics may balk at the profits posted by pharmaceutical companies in the past few decades, biotechnology firms insist these revenues are being reinvested to create the breakthrough medicines of tomorrow. According to the Wall Street Journal, some advocates are now pushing for an extension on pharmaceutical patents to ensure these organizations can continue to prosper from their intellectual assets.

Although logo trademarking may not initially factor into the plans of young companies, prioritizing this bit of intellectual property management early can prevent unforeseen problems down the line.

In accordance with the America Invents Act, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has submitted a report to Congress discussing key considerations for small businesses hoping to secure international intellectual property protection.

In a 6-2 decision, the Supreme Court has upheld an earlier ruling that will effectively allow intellectual property protections to be applied to works that were previously classified as part of the public domain.

The advent of digital journalism has had a number of unsettling consequences for traditional media powers in recent years, including a significant reduction in revenue in several cases. But according to Atlantic columnist Peter Osnos, a new licensing framework may help reporters recoup some of the profits that many believe have been pilfered as a result of news aggregators.

With countries around the world struggling to jumpstart economic progress, government officials in the United States and United Kingdom are focusing on creating intellectual property frameworks capable of inspiring innovation.

Ericsson, a provider of technology and services to the global telecommunications industry, is placing an emphasis on its intellectual property strategy in the new year to align with the company's long-term vision.

While the threat of intellectual property theft should be on the radar of any business executive, companies operating as government contractors must be aware that they are particularly attractive targets.

Following the passage of the America Invents Act last September, provisions surrounding the establishment of an expedited patent review process garnered attention from all corners of the intellectual property community. Last week, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officials released a series of progress updates related to the Track I Prioritized Patent Examination Program.

The significance of impending defense sector reform was on display last week as President Obama placed the matter at the head of his 2012 agenda. According to Bloomberg, the president's statements to reporters seem to suggest that intellectual property protection may be an increasingly large component of national security strategy moving forward.

Symantec Security is the latest major American corporation to suffer the loss of sensitive intellectual assets after hackers obtained the source code underlying its popular antivirus software.

Eastman Kodak - once a leading force in the American technology sector - has hit hard times in recent years and now finds itself on the brink of bankruptcy. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company is hoping to sell off its patent portfolio in a final effort to reverse its fortunes.

Microsoft has filed suit against Comet - a leading British electronics distributor - for allegedly creating and selling nearly 100,000 counterfeit copies of Windows XP and Vista proprietary CDs.

Each new year brings the opportunity for a business to reassess its priorities and revitalize its operations. For a number of organizations, 2012 could be the time to take stock of their intellectual assets and devise new strategies to leverage their worth.

In accordance with the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, the U.S. Copyright Office has issued a report suggesting that sound recordings made prior to February 1972 be brought under its jurisdiction to protect the interests of associated stakeholders.