February 2026

Veteran Patent Examiner Settles Ethics Violation Case with $500,000 Payment, Reinforcing DOJ’s Commitment to Ethical Standards

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant resolution to an ethics investigation, a veteran patent examiner has consented to a substantial settlement payment of $500,000. The agreement addresses allegations that she improperly handled patents for firms where she held a financial interest, a practice strictly prohibited by conflict of interest regulations within federal agencies. The U.S. Department of Justice…

Read More

Lebanon Urged to Address Human Rights Abuses Amid Israeli Military Presence in the South

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Amnesty International and human rights organizations recently urged Lebanon’s government to take decisive action in response to ongoing violations of human rights. In an open letter addressed to Lebanon’s justice minister and deputy prime minister, these groups emphasized the urgent need for clarity and reparations for civilian victims resulting from the continued Israeli military presence…

Read More

Florida Firm Accuses DHS of Patent Infringement in Surveillance Technology Dispute

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a legal confrontation unfolding in the tech sector, a Florida-based company has accused the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of infringing on its patents concerning surveillance analytics. The company asserts that DHS utilized its technology without obtaining the necessary licenses for immigration enforcement and domestic surveillance programs, raising significant questions about intellectual property rights…

Read More

Los Angeles Lawyer Disciplined for AI-Generated Briefs Highlights Legal Tech Challenges

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A Los Angeles attorney has agreed to disciplinary action following the submission of appellate briefs filled with erroneous citations generated by artificial intelligence. This agreement with the California State Bar Court was approved on Wednesday, marking a significant instance in the legal industry where technological missteps have led to professional repercussions. The court determined that…

Read More

Supreme Court’s Deliberation on ‘Skinny Label’ Case Puts Affordable Generic Drugs at Risk

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Supreme Court’s consideration of a “skinny label” case has raised significant concerns over the future accessibility of affordable generic drugs. The U.S. government, alongside a sponsor of the Hatch-Waxman Act and a prominent generic-drug industry group, cautioned that a recent decision could jeopardize the supply of these low-cost alternatives. Such a move could have…

Read More

Dolby Takes Patent Dispute to Supreme Court, Challenging Federal Circuit Ruling on Transparency Issues

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a pivotal move, Dolby Laboratories has approached the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking a review of a Federal Circuit decision that denied its appeal regarding proceedings from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). This legal maneuver comes in the wake of a dispute involving Unified Patents, which Dolby argues failed to disclose all relevant…

Read More

U.S. Patent Office Clarifies Real-Party-in-Interest Guidelines, Balancing Rigor with Efficiency in Patent Reviews

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant update from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Director John Squires has clarified guidelines regarding real-parties-in-interest (RPI) mistakes, offering insights into when these errors will not result in the rejection of petitions. As part of this update, Squires approved three inter partes reviews (IPRs) and denied ten others, providing critical guidance for…

Read More

Law Firms Shift Strategies, Embrace Secondary Markets Amid Talent Crunch

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The legal industry is witnessing a significant shift as major law firms, traditionally anchored in metropolitan hubs like New York and Los Angeles, are increasingly establishing footholds in secondary markets across the United States. This strategic expansion aims to tap into burgeoning business sectors and client bases in cities such as Denver, Nashville, and Charlotte….

Read More

Scrutiny Intensifies Over Supreme Court’s Silence on Executive Deference in National Emergencies

Pieter Gunst03 mins

When the U.S. Supreme Court dismantled President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the question of presidential deference in emergencies was sidestepped. Legal experts are now scrutinizing how long the justices can maintain this silence. This ongoing debate centers on the breadth of executive authority during national emergencies and the judiciary’s role in evaluating the legitimacy of such…

Read More

Federal Magistrate Recommends $19 Million Judgment in Amazon Copyright Infringement Case Against Streaming Pirate

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A federal magistrate judge in Dallas has recommended a default judgment of nearly $19 million in a copyright infringement case involving Amazon and several major studios. The legal battle targets a man accused of operating an illicit streaming service that allegedly began with selling modified Fire TV sticks. These “jailbroken” devices enabled users to access…

Read More

Legal Showdown: AI Allegations in Rothschild vs. Valve Captures Industry’s Attention

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The legal battle involving inventor Leigh Rothschild and video game company Valve Corp. has captured significant attention, particularly following recent claims surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in preparing legal documents. Rothschild’s attorney has firmly refuted allegations that artificial intelligence was used by his firm in crafting a pretrial brief. This assertion follows a Seattle…

Read More

xAI’s Noise Challenges in Southaven: The Struggle for Community Peace Amid Technological Expansion

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In the small town of Southaven, Mississippi, residents are grappling with relentless noise from xAI’s makeshift power plant, causing distress and disruption. For months, the community has endured the sounds of 27 temporary gas turbines generating constant roaring, intermittent pops, and piercing whines. These turbines were installed without community consultation, leaving neighbors frustrated and seeking…

Read More

Hayward Industries Files Trademark Lawsuit to Combat Unauthorized Sales on E-Commerce Platforms

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Hayward Industries Inc., a prominent name in the pool equipment industry, is taking legal action against a series of limited liability companies. The move, initiated in a North Carolina federal court, seeks to halt these entities from marketing unauthorized Hayward products through online platforms, including Amazon. The pool supplier’s legal stance focuses on alleged infringements…

Read More

Joe Gibbs Racing Faces Legal Battle Over Alleged Trade Secret Theft Amid Executive Move to Rival Team

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The legal woes of Joe Gibbs Racing intensified this week as the former competition director vigorously denied allegations of trade secret theft during his transition to a rival team. The legal battle, highlighted in recent court proceedings, centers around claims made by Joe Gibbs Racing that the executive left the organization with proprietary information, an…

Read More

Federal Circuit Upholds Invalidity of Semiconductor Patents in Oasis Tooling Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has upheld a Delaware federal judge’s ruling that invalidated patents related to computer chip design, affirming that the patents are ineligible under the Alice test. This decision favors semiconductor manufacturers Siemens Industry Software Inc. and GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc., who were accused of infringement by Oasis Tooling…

Read More

Legal Focus Shifts to Dataset Provenance in Emerging AI Litigation Trends

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In recent developments within the realm of artificial intelligence litigation, there is a discernible pivot in the legal landscape. Plaintiffs are increasingly shifting their focus from broad concerns about AI to more specific issues surrounding the datasets used in training models. This evolution centers on questions of provenance—specifically, the origins of the training data, how…

Read More

Prominent SCOTUSblog Founder Tom Goldstein Found Guilty of White-Collar Crimes: Legal Community Reacts

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The legal community has been rocked by the recent developments in the case of Tom Goldstein, the prominent founder of SCOTUSblog. A federal jury in Maryland found Goldstein guilty of 12 counts of white-collar criminal felonies, marking a significant and unexpected turn in a career once celebrated for its contributions to legal journalism. The charges…

Read More

Fourth Circuit Restores Charges in Deloitte Trade Secrets Case, Challenging Due Process Arguments

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has reinstated the majority of charges against two former Deloitte LLP employees accused of misappropriating the company’s trade secrets. This decision overturns a lower court’s dismissal, which had been based on the government’s prolonged investigation period. David Minkkinen and Sivaraman Sambasivam, the former employees in question,…

Read More

Ohio Lawsuit Highlights Legal Complexities of NIL Agreements in College Sports

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a contentious legal battle illustrating the complex landscape of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals in college athletics, former University of Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby faces a lawsuit after transferring to another program. The university alleges that Sorsby’s transfer resulted in a breach of his NIL agreement, claiming damages of at least $1 million….

Read More

Patent Dispute Dismissed: Eleventh Circuit Upholds Finality in Litigation with Res Judicata Ruling

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed an ATM technology company’s attempt to revive a patent infringement lawsuit against a competitor, citing the doctrine of res judicata. This legal principle prevents parties from relitigating claims that have been previously adjudicated or could have been raised in prior litigation. In its decision, the court emphasized…

Read More