As it engages with global markets India’s self-interests in IP are shifting. The result is a surge in litigation as differences of opinion emerge within local companies, think tanks and advocacy groups.

Europe’s companies increasingly recognise that they need to switch from fierce protection to licensing widely to generate revenues.

Intellectual property laws have fallen short of providing legal protection on indigenous knowledge. Now India is setting up a database to establish prior art on traditional knowledge.

On 21 December 2006 the Washington Research Foundation (WRF), which manages the intellectual property of Washington State’s public universities, filed a lawsuit alleging infringement of four patents concerning Bluetooth technology.

2006 was a record year for patents covering financial innovations.