Author Guidelines

Trends in Intellectual Property Research invites high-quality submissions that fall within its defined scope of legal scholarship. These author guidelines are designed to support researchers in preparing and submitting manuscripts in a clear and standardized format, ensuring a smooth double-blind peer review process. Adherence to these instructions improves the likelihood of successful publication and helps maintain the journal’s academic quality.

All listed authors must agree to authorship and consent to submission. Before submitting, authors should ensure that the manuscript meets all requirements outlined in this guide.

Submission Process

All manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s online submission system by selecting the “Make a Submission” option on the website.

  • New users must first register an account.
  • Registered users may log in to submit manuscripts or monitor submission status.

Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Only manuscripts written in English are considered. All submissions must be original, not previously published, and not under review elsewhere. Authorship consent from all contributors is mandatory.

Types of Articles Accepted

The journal accepts the following categories of submissions:

  • Original Research Articles – Detailed legal analysis, theoretical contributions, or empirical studies
  • Review Articles – Comprehensive reviews of developments in specific legal areas
  • Case Comments – Critical analysis of recent judicial decisions

All submissions must align with the journal’s aims and scope.

Manuscript Preparation

Please submit your manuscript as a standard Microsoft Word document. Our editorial team will handle the final formatting into the journal's specific template. Authors should utilize Chicago style for both in-text citations and the bibliography. Please note: legal authorities (acts, statutes, and case law) must be cited in numbered footnotes, while all other references should follow the author-date parenthetical format (Author, Year).

Each submission should include the following components:

1. Title

  • Clear, concise, and descriptive of the study
  • Preferably not exceeding 20 words

2. Author Information (separate title page for blind review)

  • Full names of all authors
  • Institutional affiliations (at the time of research)
  • Email addresses
  • ORCID iD (recommended: https://orcid.org)
  • Identification of the corresponding author

3. Abstract

  • 250–350 words in length
  • Must summarize the research problem, objectives, methodology (if applicable), key findings, and conclusions

4. Keywords (separate title page)

  • 6–10 keywords
  • Arranged alphabetically
  • Separated by semicolons

5. Main Text Structure

  • Introduction – Research problem, objectives, and significance
  • Methodology – Required for empirical research; optional for doctrinal/legal analysis
  • Analysis/Discussion – Core arguments and critical evaluation
  • Conclusion – Summary of findings, implications, and future research directions

Sections should be numbered sequentially (e.g., 1, 1.1, 1.2). Authors should use inclusive and non-discriminatory language throughout.

6. References (separate title page)

  • Must follow Chicago Author-Date style
  • All in-text citations must appear in the reference list (arranged alphabetically)
  • Statutes and case law should be cited in footnotes where applicable
  • Include DOI or stable URLs where available

Examples:

  • Book: Smith, John. 2020. The History of Law. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
  • Journal Article: Brown, Emily. 2023. “Constitutional Challenges in the Digital Era.” Trends in Intellectual Property Research 12 (1): 45–67. https://doi.org/xxxx

In-text citations: (Smith 2020); (Brown 2023)

7. Tables and Figures

  • Must be numbered sequentially and cited in the text
  • Each must include a clear, descriptive caption
  • Tables should be created in Word or Excel
  • Figures must be high-resolution and submitted separately upon acceptance

Language and Ethical Standards

  • Authors are responsible for ensuring clarity and quality of language; professional editing is recommended where necessary
  • Use inclusive, non-discriminatory language
  • Any reuse of previously published material must be properly disclosed with permission where required
  • Conflicts of interest must be declared at submission

Online Submission Steps

  1. Select article type (e.g., Research Article, Case Comment)
  2. Upload manuscript file
  3. Enter metadata (title, abstract, keywords, author details)
  4. Upload supplementary files (cover letter, permissions, if any)
  5. Review and submit

Confirmation will be sent via email, and authors may track progress through their account.

Submission Checklist

Authors must confirm that:

  • The manuscript is original, unpublished, and not under review elsewhere
  • The file is in Word format
  • Permissions for third-party content are obtained where required
  • Abstract, keywords, and structured sections are included
  • References follow Chicago Author-Date style
  • Conflicts of interest are disclosed (if applicable)
  • Language is clear, professional, and inclusive

Peer Review and Publication Process

Trends in Intellectual Property Research follows a double-blind peer review system. All manuscripts undergo initial editorial screening for scope, quality, and plagiarism. Suitable submissions are then reviewed by at least two external experts.

Editorial decisions include: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject. Revised manuscripts must be resubmitted within the given timeframe. Accepted papers proceed to copyediting, proofreading, and final publication with DOI assignment.