Intellectual Property: The Tough New Realities That Could Make or Break Your Business

Goldstein has his hands full trying to impart useful guidelines for business owners and corporate executives with intellectual properties to manage. The problem? Numerous legal nuances and inconsistent treatment of intellectual property within the U.S. and international legal codes. Goldstein, who teaches law at Stanford, explains the Byzantine legal codes that apply to patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets. He also includes a look at how the Internet muddies the waters when it comes to intellectual property. However, Goldstein's colorless style and use of legal jargon, even when telling near-sordid tales of individuals who have played the patent system purely for profit, will be tiresome to the casual reader. But for those familiar with the issues, he offers insight into the current situation and how to compete while minimizing the risk of running afoul of the law. Goldstein also offers his predictions for the future, given protectionism's cyclical nature. Though he holds out hope of a slackening in the presently stringent environment, there's little hope for greater clarity, Goldstein contends. (Nov. 8)