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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

With April 26 marking the 12th occurrence of World Intellectual Property Day, leaders around the world have felt compelled to reflect upon history near and far and look for signs of what the future may hold.

When the current economic recession hit the United States in earnest in 2008, few states were impacted as hard as California, as unemployment spiked and countless public projects were left unfunded. The Golden State appears to be making steady progress in recent months, however, by revisiting its environmentally friendly roots and leveraging clean technology patents.

With big name companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo and others currently trading and acquiring massive catalogues of intellectual property rights to be used as ammunition in the so-called patent wars, some are beginning to wonder if the original concept of IP protection has been lost on these industry leaders. In a move that is already raising eyebrows in the technology sector, Twitter has announced a new strategy that it believes will ensure its patents are leveraged for true innovation, as opposed to market exploitation, in the future.

While some pundits have questioned the relevance and functionality of copyrights, trademarks and patents in a business community evolving at breakneck speed, the latest analysis from the U.S. Department of Commerce suggests that these intellectual property protections play an instrumental role in the nation's economic prosperity.

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.