As world leaders return to their respective countries following the recent G-8 summit, intellectual property protection is expected to be on the minds of many as they set agendas for the rest of the year. According to IP Watch, delegates agreed that more effective patent management frameworks will be needed to eliminate the scourge of counterfeit medicines.

As a leading conduit of internet activity, online search pioneer Google has found itself in the role of copyright enforcement agent in recent years as digital pirates continue to craft more elaborate and damaging plots. In the latest Google Transparency Report, the company has provided extensive detail on both the volume and source of requests it receives asking for infringing material to be taken out of search results.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) recently embarked on a first-of its-kind study to examine how intellectual property contributes to the overall economic outlook for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Taken together, the data has revealed that IP-intensive industries account for 55.7 million direct and indirect jobs, $5 trillion in national gross domestic product and 74 percent of total American exports.

Earlier this year, the University of New Hampshire School of Law Library received the distinction of being named to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's roster of Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs). This week, the facility officially opened for business and will begin advising local citizens on how best to manage their intellectual assets.

Securing intellectual property protections in foreign markets is becoming increasingly important - and lucrative - in this globalized economy. But to ensure companies and sole inventors are going about the process in the most cost-efficient manner possible, a strong understanding of the filing framework is essential.

For better or worse, the contentious litigation surrounding big-name technology companies and smartphone patents has become synonymous with the intellectual property community in recent months. But although some industry insiders have lamented this development, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office director David Kappos has taken it all as an encouraging indicator.

With self-reliance and ingenuity so often associated with the entrepreneurial spirit, it is not surprising to see sole inventors going it alone once again when it comes to trademark management. But according to IP Watchdog contributor Mark Malek, frugality in this arena may be more hassle than it is worth.

Considering the fact the Google does not actually manufacture a tangible, physical product of its own without the assistance of others, it's hard to imagine a company that has more of its value tied up in intellectual assets. As such, the search engine giant has been particularly vigilant when it comes to patent and trademark management.

The digital revolution has had innumerable consequences for intellectual property management, but few areas have felt the brunt of things quite so consistently as the publishing industry. With online piracy already a source of concern for eBook authors, they may be surprised to find that the next set of obstacles could be set up by local libraries.

There has been a growing chorus of frustration from the technology sector bemoaning the slow speed of intellectual property reform. But while some have been bold enough to suggest the patent system is of little use to today's software manufacturers, established IP experts question the sustainability of that wisdom.

Trademark management has taken on several new layers in the digital era as online channels have provided new havens for counterfeiters to hide their actions and distribute infringing materials. Regulators are now hoping to instill a sense of intellectual property fundamentals in the generation of individuals growing up with the disruptive technologies that are changing the landscape.

An information disclosure statement (IDS) is a crucial component of the patent review process as it gives applicants the opportunity to provide examiners with relevant background art or separate materials that may influence an invention's patentability. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has expanded the functionality of this mechanism with a new pilot program that will allow for the consideration of an IDS after payment of the patent issue fee, without the need for a request for continued examination (RCE).

As matters of intellectual property begin to transcend borders more frequently in a globalized economy, a joint study from the International Intellectual Property Institute and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has provided a valuable resource for all stakeholders. Researchers have conducted a first-of-its-kind analysis that consolidates information pertaining to specialized IP courts around the world into one centralized resource.

It is not unusual for website owners to register domain names that look to benefit off of the buzz generated by another party. In fact, trademark holders filed more than 2,750 complaints related to "cybersquatting" last year alone. However, Apple is responding with unique vigor this time in its effort to protect its brand equity and secure control for the www.iphone5.com domain name.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Law School Clinical Certification Pilot program enables students from participating law schools around the country to practice either patent or trademark law before USPTO examiners with limited guidance from faculty advisors. This week, the agency has opened up 15 additional spots in the program for universities to apply for, nearly doubling the current enrollment.

Since its establishment in 1970, the Patent Cooperation Treaty has enabled inventors to gain intellectual property protection at a global level by filing a solitary application. To bolster the procedural framework of this system and reassert its value, the World Intellectual Property Organization and European Patent Office have pledged their commitment to a new cooperative three-year initiative.

Colorado State University continues to be one of academia's leading advocates for the commercialization of intellectual assets, as its technology transfer office ranks among the most active in the nation. It seems as though these principles have spread throughout the campus community lately, following reports that the student government is invoking the defense of its members' intellectual property rights in relation to several university campaigns.

Popular file sharing website the Pirate Bay has long been considered one of the internet's primary distribution channels for infringing content, leaking everything from major motion pictures to proprietary software. The Swedish-based website has been able to secure safe harbor through a variety of complex legal maneuvers, but its days could be numbered following a British court ruling that will require internet service providers in the country to block access to the Pirate Bay.