1. ¹Frommer Lawrence & Haug LLP, New York Office, 745 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10151, USA, Tel: +1 212 588 0800, Fax: +1 212 588 0500, Email: tkowalski@flhlaw.com
2. ²partner in the Southampton, UK, office of D. Young & Co.
3. ³Associate in the New York office of Frommer Lawrence & Haug LLP

Revised 17 March 2003.

Abstract

The USA, Europe and Japan dominate intellectual property. The patent offices of these three economies issue the vast majority of the world's patents and harmonisation has been a key initiative in recent years. Corporate and academic leaders, inventors and practitioners should be aware of the examination practices in all three patent offices.