IP, IT Report 2010: Innovating out of the downturn

There may be an economic slowdown but Intellectual Property (IP) and Information Technology (IT) lawyers say that their practices have been affected less than many others, says the Iberian Lawyer in its IP, IT Report 2010. Clients haven't avoided the downturn completely but in both the good and bad times businesses still have to innovate, protect and commercialise their IP rights.

Video gaming is another area and a sector typical of the approach taken by many technology companies to outsource or buy-in expertise, say some. "We see major entertainment and gaming companies looking to find new products and doing this by integrating smaller companies into their own structures. But it also works the other way, companies are also spinning-out types of research and this means more corporate and commercial needs," told Fernando Resina da Silva, VdA's Head of Information Technology & Outsourcing to the Iberian Lawyer.

On the other hand, the Portuguese Government's recently announced Digital Agenda signals a renewed focus on the role of technology in Portuguese society and the national economy, says Magda Cocco, co-Head of the TMT practice at VdA. "In light of the financial pressures currently placed on Portugal, the Government's plan is ambitious but it nonetheless signals potentially significant new opportunities in the telephony, education, health and transport sectors, as well as in the provision of services and technology to the public sector."