The eighth edition of ICC’s annual report on current and emerging intellectual property issues for business, released today, addresses the opportunities and obstacles posed by the rapid rise of the Internet and the increase in disputes over intellectual property rights.

Thanks to the spectacular growth of the Internet, the field of intellectual property is expanding faster than ever. In this latest edition of the report, known as the “IP roadmap”, a new section describes the IP issues raised by the Internet’s influence and the spread of faster, broadband connections.

ICC estimates 10% of contracts disputed before the ICC International Court of Arbitration relate to intellectual property. As a result, the new IP roadmap also added a section on arbitration and mediation.

As developing countries come to terms with the fact that ideas are driving modern economies like never before, many of them are making it a priority to create a suitable intellectual property environment. In 2004, for example, South Korea and China were the fourth- and eighth-largest issuers of international patent applications worldwide. That same year, Brazil saw a 44% jump in patent applications by its own residents from 1995. It is now becoming better understood that the protection of intellectual property is a vital tool for growth and development.

Responding to this worldwide call for information on critical IP issues, this year’s roadmap will be available in four additional languages – French, Dutch, Chinese and Arabic – in addition to English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Lack of adequate resources for enforcing intellectual property laws has become the biggest challenge in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy. To address this urgent need, the new IP roadmap includes an updated section on enforcement.

An ICC initiative that unites business sectors in a global approach to the problem, Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy, has also made greater enforcement one of its key objectives for this year. More information on BASCAP can be found at www.iccwbo.com/bascap

Based on user feedback, all remaining sections of the IP roadmap were updated to reflect new developments in the rapidly-evolving IP field. A copy of the full text can be found at: www.iccwbo.org/policy/ip/id2950/index.html