The fourth edition of this book has been fully updated to take account of the drastic reforms that have occurred as a result of requirements to comply with EC Directives. In addition, an increasing body of international guidelines has been issued. This new edition includes the extensive amendments to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, the European Patent Convention, the Patent Co-operation Treaty, the Madrid Agreement, the Agreement on Trade-related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the Performances and Phonograms Treaty. Concentrating on topics of particular practical importance and interest in a stimulating and concise way, this book should be of interest to both students and practitioners and is an introduction to the subject.