Ownership of intellectual property (IP) rights has become central to the strategies of innovative companies worldwide, with increasing investment in R&D and the development of global markets driving demand for patents from 800,000 applications in the early 1980s to 1.8 million in 2009, according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

As a result, IP policy has moved to the forefront of innovation policy. The increased focus on knowledge, the focus given to innovation in emerging economies,...

This page is available to Science|Business Network Members only. If you are already a member then please log in (above).

Note if you are only registered to receive our Bulletin, or have previously purchased an item from our store, this does not give you access to the full benefits of the site. Join Now and plug into the Science|Business Network to get full access to all our news, events and business opportunities.

Science|Business is the first independent media company that brings together researchers, investors and policy makers in the European innovation community. It does so with a top-quality team and unique network of Europe's leading scientific institutions, corporations, policy makers and IP and VC specialists.

Be where innovation begins – become a member. Click here to learn more.