In London’s recent legal discourse, several significant cases have emerged that may impact corporates, law firms and entities in various sectors. Specifically, noteworthy developments include a collapsed funeral plan business lodging a claim against its ex-director, gambling hall operator MaxBet initiating two new claims over a problematic acquisition, and automaker BMW contending with additional class…
Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease LLP, a prominent law firm, is strategically bolstering its team in Texas, with a notable addition from Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP. The firm recently appointed a distinguished intellectual property attorney from Sheppard Mullin as a partner in its Houston office. The move demonstrates Vorys’ endeavor to expand its…
The recent decision by the Fifth Circuit states that the federal government cannot outsource the temporary storage of nuclear waste. This verdict has resulted in a split among different circuit courts, attracting potential intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court. Furthermore, the scenario lends itself as yet another chance for the Supreme Court justices to elaborate…
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that strikes down affirmative action in higher education, twelve bar associations have made clear their stance on the need for a diverse judiciary. Advocating for an unwavering commitment towards promoting diversity in the field, these organizations stress that the recent ruling should not hinder this crucial…
The owner of a Texas patent company is making the case to Delaware’s top judge, asking for a temporary stay on penalties until her appeal with a federal court can be heard. She contends the impact of an estimated $36,000 in fines would prove “particularly onerous”, given the passing of her husband earlier in August…
In a recent development, Monster Energy, a well-known beverage company, lost a sophisticated challenge at the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). The case revolved around a Florida-based vape company filing a trademark application for the phrase “Ice Monster” to represent a new range of e-cigarette products. Monster Energy…
The recent decision by the Federal Circuit that patents related to each other can be voided for double patenting when they lapse on different dates due to setbacks at the patent office is expected to generate more invalidity attacks. This new situation compels patent proprietors to reconsider their filing strategies and adjust their portfolios, according…
Virtu Financial Inc. has filed a lawsuit against a former top-ranking executive to prevent his transition to a rival firm as a Chief Technology Officer. The firm alleges that his intimate understanding of its foundational trading platform could provide a competitive advantage for the adversary company. While a result of the lawsuit is still pending,…
The Fifth Circuit has ruled in favor of a realty firm in a copyright infringement case related to the development of a senior living facility in Texas. The case pertained to the alleged infringement of architectural schematics’ copyright. This ruling came after an in-depth legal analysis of an agreement between the realty firm and the…
In a recent development impacting the corporate legal landscape, a Georgia federal judge has partially dismissed a lawsuit lodged by a startup against renowned fruit gift arrangement company, Edible Arrangements, on the grounds of intellectual property theft. Notably, the court has made significant trims to the case, specifically omitting copyright and trade secret claims, on…
In a recent development, a company aiming to commercialize patents that were granted to a former leading researcher for a company that has since been acquired by a prominent chipmaker has decided to settle a lawsuit against tech giant Intel. The suit was slated to be taken to a jury in Waco, Texas, in the…
Recently, VPR Brands issued a notable challenge to a Georgia federal court, requesting a dismissal of counterclaims alleging that its latest product violated the intellectual property rights of Elfbar, an e-cigarette produced by a Chinese manufacturer. The crux of VPR Brands’ argument is that there is nothing deemed "distinctive" in the "shape, coloring, font [or]…
In a recent development reported by Law360, a Connecticut federal judge repudiated another attempt by a food safety technology corporation seeking to interrogate the leading executive of a rival firm accused of encroaching on two patents. According to the Law360 report, the judge ruled that the testimony of the rival company’s executive would not likely…
Jones Soda Co., popular for its unique beverage flavors, now finds itself embroiled in a patent lawsuit. A company based in California has lodged allegations against Jones Soda Co., claiming it has infringed upon a patented augmented reality technology. This technology has been employed by Jones Soda to create digital animations for its bottle labels,…
In a comprehensive piece by Michael Lehet published on Law360, the role and responsibilities of knowledge management attorneys at law firms are given a deep dive. For the unacquainted, these professionals play a pivotal role in organizing and leveraging the legal knowledge within organizations to ensure its best use.[1] Practicing law isn’t only about creating…
In a recent piece by Michael Lehet, he sheds light on the integral role of knowledge management attorneys within law firms, providing insight into the common duties they perform and offering valuable advice for those considering this career path. Knowledge management attorneys work in a complex and ever-evolving area of legal practice. Engaged in the…
A copyright lawsuit brought by a North Carolina artist against an online tie retailer has been dismissed by a federal judge. The artist had claimed the retailer stole one of her designs, but the court decreed that it lacked jurisdiction in the matter due to the scant volume of the company’s sales to the state….
In continuing developments of the patent world, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has taken the decision to review a number of claims within a magnesium patent. This patent, which pertains to magnesium used in fracking operations, is owned by a U.S. company. The review comes as a result of a challenge posed by…
Amid a hard-fought $200 million trade secret theft lawsuit, Alcoa, the aluminum titan, has directed its legal efforts to waive off the counterclaims issued by the opponent, Universal Alloy Corp. The counterclaims made by Universal Alloy, suggesting Alcoa’s actions as a sham litigation, have been considered by the latter as frivolous and baseless. This legal…
In a recent ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Axonics Inc. v. Medtronic Inc., the court has clarified the ability for inter partes review (IPR) petitioners to respond to new claim constructions proposed after an IPR is instituted. The court’s decision primarily focused on vacating a previous ruling from…
In a noteworthy decision, a Michigan federal judge opted not to interpose in a contentious fee dispute involving three former law associates, two of whom have accused their erstwhile partner of defrauding them of considerable sums of money. The funds in dispute trace back to the infamous Flint water crisis litigation, raising the stakes significantly….
In a turn of current legal proceedings, The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled last Thursday that supervising attorneys might sidestep severe sanctions in cases of misconduct if they were acting in good faith, relying on information provided by subordinate attorneys. This verdict came as penalties were being assessed for former prosecutors found to have concealed information…
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was reimbursed on three separate occasions last year by Republican billionaire Harlan Crow, as revealed in a financial disclosure from the Justice released this past Thursday. The reimbursements cover either travel expenses or meals and include two trips to Dallas and one to the Adirondacks. As mentioned in a…
In a development that underscores the need for strict vigilance within law enforcement agencies, news surfaced on Wednesday of a former sheriff’s deputy in Massachusetts being accused of severe threats against the judicial institution. The individual, whose identity is yet to be publicly disclosed, allegedly issued threats to court security officers. But what raised the…
In a decision on Wednesday, the Federal Circuit stood behind a ruling of a Texas federal court regarding a patent settlement dispute between two Israeli software companies. The court denied the request of one software developer aiming to escape a patent settlement it had purportedly made with another, with our Judicatory explicitly stating that unequivocally,…