Book excerpt: When managed well, intellectual property (IP) puts enterprises in a position to lock in an advantage and command a premium. But in Europe, the process of commercializing IP remains fraugt with difficulties, with significant differences existing in the application and interpretation of these rights in each national jurisdiction. Drawing on a wide range of expertise - including editorial support and input from the European Patent Office - The Handbook of European Intellectual Property Management is a practical and easy-to-follow guide that reveals exactly how IP can contribute to improved competitive performance and to greater value on the balance sheet, whilst also offering a template for 'best practice' in IP management.