The Brookings Institute made a significant contribution to the intellectual property community's research literature this week with the release of a comprehensive report examining U.S. regional patent trends from 1980 to 2012. By comparing and contrasting patent filings and commercial activities among all 360 of the nation's metropolitan areas, Brookings analysts were able to offer several intriguing theories regarding the role of intellectual property management in shaping urban development and driving long-term economic prosperity.

Last month, U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh denied a motion filed by Apple that would have banned sales of several new Samsung Galaxy smartphones until patent litigation between the two companies was ultimately resolved. Apple has since attempted to appeal the decision to a higher court, but encountered a similar answer earlier this week.

As the tenure of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office director David Kappos comes to an end this week, patent community pundits have been attempting to summarize the events and determine the legacy of his three-and-a-half-year run. Kappos was gracious enough to sit down with two leading publications to offer his own take as well.

Newegg, a leading online retailer of electronic accessories, saw its persistence pay off last week as a patent dispute involving fundamental ecommerce technologies fell in its favor after a lengthy appeals process.

The digital distribution of audio files has introduced countless questions and inspired impassioned debate over music copyright laws in recent years. Interestingly enough, it may actually be the electronic nature of today's production methods that create the next wave of royalty management controversies.

The monetary and strategic value of intellectual property has consistently grown as markets around the world tilt toward an economy that is majority knowledge-based. While this realization is not lost on today's companies, some suggest that the fear of protracted litigation is keeping them from exploring more aggressive patent management strategies.

U.S. regulators have been diligently working with industry leaders and consumer advocates to evolve strong but fair copyright protection rules for the digital economy. As high-tech enforcement mechanisms continue to be piloted and refined, the system may soon encounter a surprising offshore threat.

Social gaming startup Zynga got off to a strong start following its 2007 launch, ultimately becoming a publicly traded company in late 2011. With market analysts now starting to question the sustainability of its business model, Zynga's revitalized patent strategy seems to suggest a move into the online gambling space.

Last February, the Associated Press (AP) filed suit against news monitoring agency Meltwater for unlicensed distribution of proprietary content. As trial proceedings continue this month, a number of digital rights advocates have expressed their concern over what could be an exceedingly narrow interpretation of the doctrine of fair use.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has long been an outspoken critic of so-called pay-for-delay patent settlements between branded and generic drug manufacturers. The agency's latest study suggests there is still much work to be done, however, as the number of pharmaceutical cases flagged for potentially anticompetetive tactics rose from 28 in FY 2011 to 40 in FY 2012.

In an effort to introduce patent process dynamics into the public sphere, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Smithsonian Institution have agreed on a strategy that will see the cultural organization play host to a variety of workshops and symposiums beginning in 2014.

Industrial research and development teams around the world have been discussing the litany of innovations that could come from commercialized application of graphene. This week, a team of British patent researchers came forward to discuss several indicators which suggest that a global race to harness the full potential of the unique material could be in the offing.

As the intellectual property community attempts to adapt practices and policies for an increasingly digital economy, online media has posed a number of difficult questions regarding copyright protection and royalty management. The conversation turned to social media this week as a U.S. court ruled that a leading news organization improperly distributed images posted to Twitter by a freelance photographer.

As the intellectual property community attempts to adapt practices and policies for an increasingly digital economy, online media has posed a number of difficult questions regarding copyright protection and royalty management. The conversation turned to social media this week as a U.S. court ruled that a leading news organization improperly distributed images posted to Twitter by a freelance photographer.

IBM found itself on top of the U.S. patent rankings again in 2012, amassing nearly 1,400 more patent grants than its closest competitor (Samsung) and more than doubling third-place Canon. While this is not an altogether surprising development, the strategies that have enabled such longevity are worth noting.

IBM found itself on top of the U.S. patent rankings again in 2012, amassing nearly 1,400 more patent grants than its closest competitor (Samsung) and more than doubling third-place Canon. While this is not an altogether surprising development, the strategies that have enabled such longevity are worth noting.

IBM found itself on top of the U.S. patent rankings again in 2012, amassing nearly 1,400 more registrations than it's closest competitor (Samsung) and more than doubling third-place Canon. While this is not an altogether surprising development, the strategies that have enabled such longevity are worth noting.

Mobile internet innovator Unwired Planet, formerly Openwave Systems, has acquired more than 2,000 registered patents and pending applications from Swedish telecommunications giant Ericsson. The deal is expected to provide Unwired Planet with additional ammunition in its ongoing litigation with Apple, Google and others while affording Ericsson a share of future licensing revenues.

Mobile internet innovator Unwired Planet, formerly Openwave Systems, has acquired more than 2,000 registered patents and pending applications from Swedish telecommunications giant Ericsson. The deal is expected to provide Unwired Planet with additional ammunition in its ongoing litigation with Apple, Google and others while affording Ericsson a share of future licensing revenues.

As a leading advocate for and supporter of free market innovation, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has taken particular interest in patent infringement cases that keep important technical and conceptual advancements out of the hands of those who stand to benefit from their existence. As a result, officials recently released a joint statement with the U.S. Department of Justice recommending that the U.S. International Trade Commission consider the public's best interests before validating any sales bans stemming from patent suits.

As a leading advocate for and supporter of free market innovation, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has taken particular interest in patent infringement cases that keep important technical and conceptual advancements out of the hands of those who stand to benefit from their existence. As a result, officials recently released a joint statement with the U.S. Department of Justice recommending that the U.S. International Trade Commission consider the public's best interests before validating any sales bans stemming from patent suits.

Bankruptcy is an unfortunate possibility for businesses operating in a market-based economy, and its impact often extends far beyond the entity filing for the motion. These issues were recently underscored in a case that has inspired renewed debate on if and how licensing agreements should be honored when patent portfolio owners become insolvent.

Bankruptcy is an unfortunate possibility for businesses operating in a market-based economy, and its impact often extends far beyond the entity filing for the motion. These issues were recently underscored in a case that has inspired renewed debate on if and how licensing agreements should be honored when patent portfolio owners become insolvent.

Harvard Law School is starting 2013 with its first ever foray into free online education. For the spring semester, the Ivy League institution is hoping to demystify copyright management complexities for the general public with a 12-week course touching on digital innovations and legal implications.

Google's proprietary technologies have come under extensive scrutiny in recent times amid a 19-month probe launched by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Regulators arrived at a conclusive decision this week, however, finding that the company's search algorithm designs and patent licensing practices did not unfairly improve market standing or merit sanctions.

Firms have been filing provisional patent applications in the U.S. for nearly two decades, and the impending transition to a first to file system is expected to expand the popularity of the procedural mechanism. However, some are wondering if the rate of activity is an accurate indicator of the strategy's true value.