The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is undergoing a significant shift under the leadership of its Director, John Squires. He is set to uphold the agency leader’s new role as the gatekeeper at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), which marks a strategic pivot in handling patent disputes. This move comes amidst a…
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed significant alarm over recent proposals by the Turkish government to enact legislation that many see as a severe infringement on LGBT rights. The organization labeled the proposals as “one of the most alarming rollbacks of rights in decades.” The contentious proposal comes from a leaked draft of reform laws…
Warner Bros. Television is pushing back against a California judge’s decision to allow a lawsuit to proceed from Sherri Alexander, the widow of Michael Crichton, regarding “The Pitt” on HBO Max. Alexander claims the show mimics elements of Crichton’s renowned NBC series “ER.” The production company insists that the lawsuit should have been dismissed on…
The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently reinstated a significant lawsuit from West Virginia, spotlighting the intricate legal battles over opioid distribution. This decision is set to impact the ongoing debate about corporate responsibility in the opioid crisis, as it vacated a 2022 district court ruling in City of Huntington, West Virginia…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is introducing a significant procedural adjustment under the leadership of Director John Squires. The new approach for America Invents Act (AIA) patent reviews will entail issuing brief ‘up or down’ decisions on whether to institute reviews, without providing detailed reasoning in most cases according to USPTO officials. This…
The decision by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires to issue brief determinations on whether to institute America Invents Act (AIA) reviews is poised to introduce a new level of efficiency but also uncertainty in patent examination processes. USPTO officials confirmed that, in most instances, Squires will not provide a detailed explanation for…
Meta Platforms has recently petitioned a US district court to dismiss a lawsuit accusing the company of illegally downloading pornographic material to train its artificial intelligence models. This legal maneuver arises following allegations by Strike 3 Holdings, which claims to have detected unauthorized downloads of its adult films from Meta’s corporate IP addresses, as detailed…
Two judicial nominees in Mississippi, selected during the Trump administration, are encountering difficulties in their confirmation process. These challenges highlight the ongoing complexities in federal judicial appointments, particularly in a politically fractured environment. The nominees, whose appointments have drawn considerable attention, are under scrutiny due to procedural and political hurdles. This development, noted by Bloomberg…
In a significant policy shift, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John Squires has reclaimed the authority to decide on the institution of proceedings under the America Invents Act (AIA), a role previously delegated to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). This change, effective October 20, 2025, aims to address concerns about the…
In a significant move reflecting the evolving landscape of legal technology, venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz has backed Harvey, an artificial intelligence-driven legal software startup, with an $8 billion valuation. This investment showcases the increased interest in AI’s role within the legal sector, promising to transform how law firms and corporations handle a variety of…
In a notable decision, a California federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Netflix against Broadcom, determining that the patents in question are not eligible for protection under the U.S. Supreme Court’s Alice decision. This ruling represents a key moment in the ongoing legal battles surrounding software patents. The case centers around allegations by…
In a significant development within the world of intellectual property, a Santa Clara-based patent monetization entity has fortified its IP portfolio by acquiring a substantial collection of patents from Xerox. This acquisition spans numerous patents globally, underscoring the strategic move to enhance the company’s leverage in technology licensing and patent rights management. Details of such…
In the ever-evolving landscape of legal services, the rankings on the Law360 Pulse Leaderboard provide a compelling snapshot of the firms distinguishing themselves among a crowded field of legal heavyweights. This year, the leaderboard is more than just a ranking; it reflects the dynamic shifts and strategic adaptations firms are undertaking to maintain and enhance…
In recent weeks, a faction of Republican lawmakers has intensified efforts to impeach U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, citing dissatisfaction with his rulings on key Trump administration policies. This movement underscores a broader tension between the legislative and judicial branches over the scope of judicial authority. The controversy centers on Judge Boasberg’s decision to block…
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have collaborated to establish a national pro bono network aimed at combating antisemitism, with the initiative involving over 40 law firms across the United States. The network is designed to facilitate client referrals and co-counsel arrangements, creating a robust legal framework to address rising antisemitic…
In a notable development involving corporate espionage, a former executive at a government-contracting software firm admitted to stealing and selling valuable trade secrets. The ex-manager, whose firm provided services to the United States government, conceded to transferring sensitive information to an intermediary with ties to the Russian government. This plea highlights ongoing concerns about cybersecurity…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has revived a critical public nuisance lawsuit, reaffirming that the conditions arising from the over-distribution of opioids can be considered a public nuisance under West Virginia common law. This decision reopens litigation against opioid distributors including those represented by Reed Smith, Williams & Connolly, and Covington…
In a significant shift for the intellectual property landscape, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has signaled a possible expansion in eligibility criteria for patents related to artificial intelligence. This development follows the USPTO’s recent Appeals Review Panel decision in Ex parte Desjardins, which reversed a previous ruling that rejected a patent application concerning…
The U.S. Supreme Court recently called for additional documentation in the case contesting former President Donald Trump’s move to deploy the National Guard to Illinois amid protests, prompting several legal questions surrounding executive power. The case arises from Trump’s October 4, 2025, memorandum, which sought to “disrupt the faithful enforcement of Federal law” in Chicago…
In a recent development, inventor Gilbert Hyatt has approached the full Federal Circuit to reconsider its previous decision related to prosecution laches, a doctrine that can render a patent unenforceable if there are undue delays during its prosecution. Hyatt argues that the stakes of this legal doctrine are significant, emphasizing the implications it could have…
The Federal Circuit recently declined to revisit its prior decision not to transfer two patent infringement cases against Google and Amazon back to a Texas federal court. These cases were brought by VirtaMove, a software company, which claimed that Google and Amazon had infringed on their patents. This decision upholds an earlier refusal to alter…
A former controller at Edelman Financial Engines has initiated legal action against a New York City law firm, alleging wrongful termination following a stroke. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims that the firm dismissed the employee shortly after he suffered a stroke, which he contends is a violation of the…
A Georgia investor has initiated a lawsuit under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, alleging a $3.7 million loss in a cryptocurrency scheme known as “pig butchering.” This type of scam involves fraudsters building trust with victims over time, eventually convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. The term “pig butchering” originates…
In September 2024, Texas inaugurated its Business Court, a specialized forum designed to handle complex commercial disputes. Over the past year, the court has processed 185 cases across its five operational divisions, with the majority filed in Houston and Dallas. Specifically, the Eleventh Division in Houston received 79 cases, while the First Division in Dallas…
As the Texas Business Court commemorates its first anniversary, it has become a pivotal forum for resolving complex commercial disputes within the state. Established to streamline high-value business litigation, the court has demonstrated efficiency and adaptability in its inaugural year. Since its inception on September 1, 2024, the Texas Business Court has seen 185 cases…