2006 was a record year for patents covering financial innovations.

Watertight protection is more important than the speed with which patents are granted, according to a survey of business and academia.

Three reports, two commissioned by possible next premier Gordon Brown and one inspired by him provide a glimpse of the future shape of UK innovation policy.

The notorious MP3 site AllofMP3.com is still functioning – despite the US–Russian agreement on intellectual property.

Indian firms are training large numbers of patent agents - with their eye on the large number of companies abroad looking for cheaper patenting.

Hailed as one of the most important recent discoveries in biology, RNA interference has seen patent applications rise 3,000 per cent between 2000 and 2003.