Service of process by email is facing new limits in U.S. cross-border litigation. This article explains how the Smart Study decision reshapes Hague Service Convention analysis, Rule 4(f)(3), the difference between an unknown and unreliable address, and the impact on service strategy, default judgments, and future IP cases involving defendants in China.

Settling IP lawsuits is often the fastest way to control costs, reduce risk, and protect business operations. This article explains when patent, trademark, and copyright cases usually settle, what terms commonly appear in settlement agreements, how settlement costs are structured, and why cross-border e-commerce defendants face special pressure from TROs, frozen funds, and default risks.