!082394 Japanese Patent Infringement Insurance Three major nonlife insurance companies have jointly developed a policy to cover expenses incurred by lawsuits over intellectual property, according to company officials. Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance Company, Yasuda Fire & Marine Insurance Company, and Sumitomo Marine & Fire Insurance Company will start selling the new 1-year policies separately on September 1st. The new policies, intended for sale mainly to corporations, will apply in cases where the insured party infringes upon intellectual property rights or where the intellectual property rights of a corporation are violated. The insurance will primarily cover expenses such as lawyers' fees and lawsuit expenses for suits or arbitration cases in or outside of Japan. It will not cover damages awarded by the court. This parallels efforts by US insurance companies to provide infringement insurance, but US efforts are more ambitious, offering coverage for court damages. With Wall Street investors now investing in patent lawsuits, things should become real fun. Greg Aharonian Internet Patent News Service