Surging patent activity has overwhelmed the US Patent Office, which is taking ever longer to process applications (see chart).

蜂拥而至的专利活动淹没了美国专利局，它要花比以往更长的时间来处理专利申请（见图表）。

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Studies of the most patent-conscious business of all—the semiconductor industry—suggest that firms do not necessarily become more innovative as they increase their patenting activity.

对所有行业中最具专利意识的行业——半导体行业的研究表明，企业不一定会随着专利申请活动的增加而变得更具创新性。

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Patent applications have kindled more bizarre Apple rumors than I can count, but there has been an undeniable cluster of activity around tablet-oriented tech as of late.

专利申请引发了更多关于苹果的离奇留言，但是不可否认的是，最近已经有一系列围绕平板相关技术的行动。

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And if a firm outsources the entire patent-filing activity, it also leaves this identification and interpretation of prior art to the external solicitors.

FORBES: The hidden dangers of outsourcing

The patent box regimes enacted by countries in Europe do not require that the research activity giving rise to the qualifying IP be conducted in the country granting the tax benefit.

FORBES: What is a ��Patent Box�� regime?