MakerBot, a leader of the consumer 3-D printing movement, recently unveiled its first foray into 3-D scanners. But as the company breaks ground in a new segment, much of the conversation still centers on how intellectual property implications may shape the future of 3-D production processes.

The importance of leveraging laboratory innovation for economic revitalization has been a bipartisan talking point for several years. Now, New Mexico Senator Tom Udall is planning several legislative proposals designed to streamline the technology transfer process researchers encounter on the front lines.

Cloud computing represents one of the technology sector's most promising subcategories. This week, Google opened a portion of its intellectual property portfolio in hopes of protecting the space against the frivolous litigation that has, at times, engulfed application development and mobile hardware manufacturing segments.

Dynamic higher education systems have been a core contributor to the rise of innovation hubs like San Francisco and Boston. In a recent column for Science Business, Matt Van Italie of Canterbury Road Partners elaborated on his vision for replicating similar success in communities with comparatively fewer resources than those two bustling commercial centers.

The automatic federal spending cuts imposed by the U.S. government this March have been met with strong resistance by lobbyists suggesting that their affiliated organizations are either too important to be hamstrung by budget cuts or should be immune from the austerity measures on principle. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office could be classified in each of those categories, according to some, with several leading technology firms now framing sequestration as a personal betrayal to their historical good will.

This week, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet heard testimony from music, photography and movie industry representatives hoping for stronger national copyright codes. It remains to be seen, however, how strongly this familiar refrain may sway legislative opinions as Congress continues its pursuit of comprehensive copyright reform fit for the digital age.

Congressional leaders have spoken at length about the economic importance of reducing the rate of frivolous lawsuits filed within the U.S. patent system, but the strongest motion yet may have been introduced this month in a bill co-sponsored by California Representatives Darrell Issa and Judy Chu.

Don Mattrick, former president of Microsoft's interactive entertainment division, surprised many earlier in the month with his announcement that he would be leaving the firm to assume a new role as the chief executive officer for struggling social gaming company Zynga. As Mattrick begins his transition, industry observers expect his historical familiarity with intellectual property management to serve his future employer well.

Earlier this month, the World Intellectual Property Organization, INSEAD and Cornell University jointly released the 2013 edition of their Global Innovation Index. One of the most significant themes highlighted in the latest iteration of the study was the sheer diversity of strategies employed by countries attempting to better themselves in the innovation economy.

As digital innovators attempt to bridge the gap between traditional TV broadcasters and increasingly on-the-go audiences, a number of thorny copyright questions have arisen. Following in the footsteps of Aereo, streaming specialist FilmOn now finds itself fighting back against infringement allegations authored by the likes of ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX.