This significantly updated second edition of the Research Handbook on Patent Law and Theory provides comprehensive coverage of new research for patent protection in three major jurisdictions: the United States, Europe and Japan. Leading patent scholars and practitioners provide an innovative comparative analysis of fundamental issues such as patentability, examination procedure and the scope of patent protection, with current issues such as patent protection for industry standards, computer software and business methods. Updates to this second edition reflect on the dramatic changes that have taken place in the US Patent System since the first edition, including the American Invents Act that has introduced the first-inventor-to-file policy and post-issuance proceedings to challenge validity. Current topics such as the Unified Patent Court, patent litigation updates reform in the US, design patents and patent inventions in medical science are also addressed. Providing a strong scholarly foundation, as well as useful tips for practitioners to protect their intellectual assets in technologies effectively in the global market, this Research Handbook will be of great interest to legal scholars and students, as well as lawyers and patent attorneys. Contributors include: J.N. Adams, C. Appelt, R.C. Dreyfuss, H. Goddar, H.P. Goeetting, O. Granstrand, S. Hetmank, C.M. Ho, C.M. Holman, C. Karl, J.B. Krauss, A.L. Landers, S. Luginbuehl, T. Miyamoto, T. Muller-Stoy, X.T. Nguyen, S. Ono, C. Rademacher, G. Reilly, S. Schohe, D. Stauder, T. Takenaka, J. Thomas

Despite increasing worldwide harmonization of intellectual property, driven by US patent reform and numerous EU Directives, the common law and civil law traditions still exert powerful and divergent influences on certain features of national IP systems. Drawing together the views and experiences of scholars and lawyers from the United States, Europe and Asia, this book examines how different characteristics embedded in national IP systems stem from differences in the fundamental legal principles of the two traditions. It questions whether these elements are destined to remain diverged, and tries to identify common ground that might facilitate a form of harmonization. Containing the most current and up-to-date IP issues from a global perspective, this book will be a valuable resource for IP and comparative law academics, law students, policy makers, as well as lawyers and in-house counsels. Contributors include: M. Adelman, T. Bodewig, G.E. Evans, M. Franzosi, S. Ghosh, S.J Jong, J. Krauss, M. LaFrance, A.L. Landers, S. Mehra, S.H. Naeve, F. Pollaud-Dulian, C. Rademacher, Y. Reboul, B. Sherman, J. Straus, M.T. Sundara Rajan, T. Takenaka, M. Trimble

'Armed mainly with tremendous scholarly energy, the University of Washington has developed into the premier center of Asian legal studies in North America. This volume is a tribute to the breadth and depth of activity at the Asian Law Center over its first five decades, and a treasure trove of substantive insights into comparative law in Asia. As Asian law continues to attract more attention around the world, we must all be grateful for the contributions of the innovators who built the field.' - Tom Ginsburg, University of Chicago Law School, US 'Professors Haley and Takenaka have put together a wonderfully eclectic collection of essays to commemorate the founding of the Asian Law Center at the University of Washington School of Law in 1964. Written by leaders in their respective fields, the essays, which explore legal developments, innovations and transplants in Japan and its neighbours, will appeal to scholars and students of Japanese law, as well as comparative lawyers with an interest in Asian law.' - Jean Ho, National University of Singapore 'For fifty years now, the University of Washington's Asian Law Center has stood at the center of American scholarship on Japanese law. Its scholars have consistently produced the very best work in the field, and men and women associated with it have increasingly turned their attention to other legal systems in Asia as well. In this broad-ranging volume, the contributors explore the intriguing connections among the many legal systems at stake. They have produced a tantalizing blend of analytical depth and geographical breadth.' - J. Mark Ramseyer, Harvard Law School, US Legal Innovations in Asia explores how law in Asia has developed over time as a result of judicial interpretation and innovations drawn from the legal systems of foreign countries. Expert scholars from around the world offer a history of law in the region while also providing a wider context for present-day Asian law. The contributors share insightful perspectives on comparative law, the role of courts, legal transplants, intellectual property, Islamic law and other issues as they relate to the practice and study of law in Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea and Southeast Asia. Students and scholars of Asian law will find this a timely and fascinating read, as will legal practitioners and colleagues of the Asian Law Center. Contributors: H. Baum, D. Clarke, J. Eddy, D.H. Foote, J.O. Haley, K. Ishida, K.S. Kim, V.I. Lo, C.B. Lombardi, S. Matsui, H.D. Nam, O. Phanraska, T. Takenaka, V.L. Taylor, K. Toha, T.S. Utomo, T.-S. Wang, R. Yamakawa, D. Zang

This major Handbook provides a comprehensive research source for patent protection in three major jurisdictions: the United States, Europe and Japan. Leading patent scholars and practitioners join together to give an innovative comparative analysis both of fundamental issues such as patentability, examination procedure and the scope of patent protection, and current issues such as patent protection for industry standards, computer software and business methods. Keeping in mind the important goal of world harmonization, the contributing authors challenge current systems and propose necessary changes for promoting innovation. Providing useful tips for practitioners to protect their intellectual assets in technologies effectively in the global market, this Handbook will be of great interest to legal scholars and students, as well as lawyers and patent attorneys.

Global Issues in Patent Law provides an approachable and engaging entry point for students of patent law and intellectual property to the world of international patents. Beginning with a discussion of current international intellectual property institutions and ending with a study of contemporary border enforcement issues, the book takes the user through the major treaties and a comparative discussion of the critical areas of patent law and practice. Topics covered include: patentable subject matter, prior art, inventive step, enablement and disclosure, infringement, remedies, and competition policy. The approach of the book and its materials would complement intellectual property law courses at the basic, intermediate, and advanced levels as well as serve as the focal casebook for a stand alone course on international patent law.