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.