The emerging commercial application of nanotechnoloy involves devices, processes, and materials that are manipulated at the atomic and molecular level. This first-of-its-kind resource identifies and describes the legal and policy initiatives aimed at encouraging or restricting nanotech research and applications. The book offers an up-to-date understanding of how to comply with regulations in different countries as nanotechnology applications are developed. Professionals find expert guidance on how to protect intellectual property rights associated with this hot technological area.