What do you know about Lysine? Well, it's an essential amino acid, is used as poulty and swine feed, and it's at the center of a global patent war between Japanese food manufacturing giant Ajinomoto and China's Global Bio-Chem Technology Group. Why is it looking likely that Ajinomoto will lose? And what will be the effect?

Peter Harris Dear Readers -- I hope you are enjoying receiving the magazine more regularly. This issue is our legal special and we are excited to cover what seems to be a thriving industry, in spite of the credit crunch. In June this year, London’s ‘Magic Circle’ top law firms announced record turnovers with Clifford Chance reporting a leading revenue figure of £1.3 billion, up 13% from last year. In Japan, the industry can also be said to be experiencing something of a boom and our cover story features three firms that have recently opened Tokyo offices; we spoke to them about the growing need for their services and consider how their arrival might change the dynamics of the industry.