The ongoing patent dispute between CLS Bank International and Alice Corporation reached U.S. federal appeals court this week. While the impact of these initial arguments may take months to sort out, important precedents could soon be set regarding the scope and validity of software patents in the technology sector at large.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded Amazon a new patent which broadly allows the company to establish a marketplace for the resale of digital goods including eBooks, computer applications, audio and visual files. Copyright attorneys are already expressing concerns as they begin to interpret the legality and commercial implications of this move.

Last month, U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh denied a motion filed by Apple that would have banned sales of several new Samsung Galaxy smartphones until patent litigation between the two companies was ultimately resolved. Apple has since attempted to appeal the decision to a higher court, but encountered a similar answer earlier this week.

Newegg, a leading online retailer of electronic accessories, saw its persistence pay off last week as a patent dispute involving fundamental ecommerce technologies fell in its favor after a lengthy appeals process.

In an effort to introduce patent process dynamics into the public sphere, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Smithsonian Institution have agreed on a strategy that will see the cultural organization play host to a variety of workshops and symposiums beginning in 2014.

Industrial research and development teams around the world have been discussing the litany of innovations that could come from commercialized application of graphene. This week, a team of British patent researchers came forward to discuss several indicators which suggest that a global race to harness the full potential of the unique material could be in the offing.

IBM found itself on top of the U.S. patent rankings again in 2012, amassing nearly 1,400 more patent grants than its closest competitor (Samsung) and more than doubling third-place Canon. While this is not an altogether surprising development, the strategies that have enabled such longevity are worth noting.

IBM found itself on top of the U.S. patent rankings again in 2012, amassing nearly 1,400 more patent grants than its closest competitor (Samsung) and more than doubling third-place Canon. While this is not an altogether surprising development, the strategies that have enabled such longevity are worth noting.

IBM found itself on top of the U.S. patent rankings again in 2012, amassing nearly 1,400 more registrations than it's closest competitor (Samsung) and more than doubling third-place Canon. While this is not an altogether surprising development, the strategies that have enabled such longevity are worth noting.

As a leading advocate for and supporter of free market innovation, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has taken particular interest in patent infringement cases that keep important technical and conceptual advancements out of the hands of those who stand to benefit from their existence. As a result, officials recently released a joint statement with the U.S. Department of Justice recommending that the U.S. International Trade Commission consider the public's best interests before validating any sales bans stemming from patent suits.