One feature of the European patent system that is heavily criticized nowadays is related to its complex fragmentation and the induced cost burden for applicants. Once a patent is granted by the EPO, the assignee must validate (and often translate) it and pay the renewal fees to keep it in force...

One feature of the European patent system that is heavily criticized nowadays is related to its fragmentation and the induced cost burden for applicants. Once a patent is granted by the EPO, the assignee must validate (and often translate) it and pay the renewal fees to keep it in force in each...

Welche Auswirkungen die Attentate vom 11. September 2001 auf die internationale Politik und die Weltwirtschaft haben werden, läßt sich heute noch nicht absehen. In den hier enthaltenen drei Beiträgen versucht das ifo Institut, erste Einschätzungen der Folgen dieser Terroranschläge zu geben....

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the functionality of long tail markets (LTM), where the consumers cannot be reached or are ignored by the traditional mainstream businesses, in new products and business development. Design/methodology/approach: First, the authors review two Chinese...