When matters of intellectual property and higher education collide, it is often the result of university researchers exploring new ways to commercialize their laboratory innovations. But in more cases, schools are finding similar value in a separate pursuit: trademark management.

In 2005, the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement was established as a free trade agreement intended to liberalize economies in the Asia-Pacific region. Negotiations surrounding an expanded version of the framework known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) have picked up in recent months, but a swell of new intellectual property concerns are tempering excitement for the proposed legislation.

Jurors ended their deliberation late last week to deliver a verdict that many are interpreting as a resounding victory for Apple in its patent lawsuit against Samsung. The Korean mobile manufacturer has been ordered to pay Apple approximately $1.05 billion in damages after the court ruled Samsung had infringed upon iPhone design components in several of its smartphones.

Illinois may not be regarded as a technology transfer hub on par with traditional powers like Massachusetts, California and Michigan, but the state's universities have been making significant strides toward commercializing their intellectual property in recent years. According to the latest index compiled by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, Illinois schools are now licensing IP more frequently than at any point in the past decade.

Digital innovations continue pose new questions to traditional copyright and patent systems around the world. Australian legislators seem to have a lead on the coming clashes between technology and intellectual property management, having recently launched an investigation into how copyright law may be affecting the nation's burgeoning cloud computing market.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has proposed a new set of revisions to its trademark fee structure, offering a variety of incentives for applicants who take advantage of digital filing tools.

Twitter has decided to add a new dimension to its intellectual property portfolio with the addition of assets from application testing startup Clutch.io. Although the exact terms of the deal have not been released, officials did reveal that both staff members and proprietary technology will be making their way to Twitter prior to Clutch.io shutting down its services on November 1.

As financial factors have proven to be increasingly uncertain in recent years, companies have been placing renewed emphasis on the potential of their intellectual assets. But while shifting focus is an important first step, having the right people in the room may be more predictive of long-term success.

The Apple-Samsung patent litigation trial has covered some interesting territory in recent weeks, but one of the most surprising revelations may be the disclosure of a previously unknown strategy involving Microsoft.

While politicians, financiers and social commentators have been preaching the importance of refueling the nation's innovation engines, university research teams have been turning principles into practice. According to MedCity News, the technology transfer forecast is now looking particularly robust in the academic community.