The advent of digital marketplaces and free online streaming services has been a point of contention for the music industry in recent years, with regulators struggling to ensure equity for content producers. In what is being described as a landmark settlement, the Recording Industry Association of America, the National Music Publishers' Association and the Digital Media Association recently came together with the Copyright Royalty Board to set forth new standards governing the revenue generated by innovative new music delivery models.

As the name would imply, trade secrets constitute a unique competitive advantage possessed by a company that must remain under wraps and diligently protected at all times. The problem is, many companies lack of full understanding of the trade secrets that could be, or already are, in their IP portfolios.

For most companies entering the patent system for the first time, the primary motivation is to gain protection for new inventions. After a prolonged application and approval period, some may be content to sit back and relax after accomplishing their initial goal. In reality, intellectual property strategies are only just beginning after patents and trademarks are awarded.

In an era of increasingly globalized commerce, some of the most significant issues and challenges facing the intellectual property community have international roots. As a result, it is crucial for regulators to come together across borders to promote common interests. With that idea in mind, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently formalized a permanent Patent Prosecution Highway with the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office.

Business managers understand the variety of benefits associated with a deep and diversified intellectual property portfolio. But according to Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News columnist Tom Tuytschaevers, companies could well be sitting on more patentable inventions than they realize.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced the debut of its After Final Consideration Pilot program in alignment with its ongoing efforts to increase collaboration between the patent review board and applicants while streamlining the prosecution process.

In the months following the passing of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, industry observers have highlighted the visionary leader's career path as a shining example of American ingenuity and innovation. The World Intellectual Property Organization has provided more objective support for Jobs' reputation as a shrewd patent manager with a special exhibit showcasing his intellectual property filings.

Although a few lucky entrepreneurs are able to find success seemingly overnight, most understand that true innovations are more likely to come from a deliberate process of research and development than a sudden burst of insight. For those inventors who are convinced they could be on the cusp of an important breakthrough but need time to refine their creations, filing a provisional patent application may be a smart strategy.

With patent defense playing such a crucial role in the intellectual property arena, it can be hard to tell whether legal factors are shaping business decisions or company tactics are influencing litigation strategies. In fact, patenting decisions made in the past few decades have led to a reversal of the traditional cause-and-effect relationships many companies lend credence to.