The Federal Circuit recently upheld a ruling by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), affirming the invalidity of claims within a contested video-decoding patent. This decision came after the patent holder argued against the restrictions on presenting written description support during the proceedings. This verdict impacts the domain of intellectual property, reinforcing the standards…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced a pilot program that hopes to streamline the patent examination process, addressing long-standing concerns over examination backlogs. The program, revealed on April 10, 2026, introduces a new requirement for certain applicants in the national stage to actively request the examination of their patent applications, a move…
In a significant decision for intellectual property and technology law, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s (PTAB) ruling, affirming that Microsoft Corporation successfully demonstrated the invalidity of claims from Lemko Corp.’s distributed mobile architecture patent. This comes as an important development in the ongoing interplay…
The Federal Circuit’s evolving view of trade secrets represents a significant shift in the landscape of intellectual property law. Traditionally governed by common law and the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA), as adopted by individual states, trade secret law saw a change with the introduction of the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) in 2016….
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently decided to uphold the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s (PTAB) conclusion that claims associated with a Sentient Sensors monitoring patent lacked innovation and were therefore deemed obvious. The case revolved around patent claims concerning technology employed in military instrument monitoring systems. The Federal Circuit’s…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently upheld a decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), which invalidated certain patent claims related to remote-control technology asserted against Roku Inc. The affirmation on Friday further cements Roku’s legal standing in a protracted battle over the intellectual property rights associated with its…
Cisco Systems Inc. has made a significant legal move by requesting that a federal judge declare it has not infringed upon two patents related to managing parts of computer chips. This request came in light of the patent owner, who had initially filed the allegations, deciding to drop the claims just before the trial was…
Blank Rome LLP, a prominent law firm known for its comprehensive legal services, has strategically expanded its patent practice by hiring two seasoned patent lawyers in Chicago and Dallas. This move signals the firm’s focus on enhancing its intellectual property capabilities across different regions. In Chicago, Blank Rome has welcomed Edward Chadwick, formerly of Troutman…
In a recent development that could pave the way for legal clarity, the Federal Circuit’s Chief Judge indicated the potential for establishing a clear precedent concerning the role of patent marking in admissionless settlements. This statement emerged during a hearing where attorney William Ramey faced criticism from a Federal Circuit panel over his conduct in…
Amidst recent legal proceedings involving patent litigation, the Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit has articulated the potential necessity for a clear standard concerning the marking of intellectual property rights. The remarks were made during a session where the panel criticized attorney William Ramey for his conduct in a failed 3D glasses patent case against…
In a recent legal development, Patco Brands has contested BuzzBallz’s acquisition of web domains associated with Patco’s forthcoming products, labeling the move as both unfunny and unlawful. BuzzBallz, a producer of ready-to-drink cocktails, had previously claimed that the purchase was intended as a joke. Patco Brands, however, argues that this action constitutes anticompetitive cybersquatting and…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s recent overhaul of patent review practices has caused a stir among legal professionals and industry experts, with substantial debate evident at a recent conference. Many attorneys have voiced apprehensions about increased uncertainty, while the potential for policy shifts between administrations was noted by a former agency director. These concerns…
In a recent legal development, Judge Alan Albright of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas declined to dismiss a suit filed by BMW AG that aimed to prevent two patent litigations from proceeding in Germany. This decision emerged despite the German cases having been withdrawn, highlighting the complexities of international…
In a recent development, the manufacturer behind Welch’s Fruit Snacks has initiated proceedings at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) against Cibo Vita, accusing the firm of patent infringement concerning its yogurt-covered snacks. The case highlights ongoing tensions in the competitive fruit snack market, as companies strive to protect their innovations in packaging and product…
EmblemHealth is making a significant legal move in its ongoing dispute with AstraZeneca’s unit Alexion Pharmaceuticals. The nonprofit insurer has petitioned a federal judge in Massachusetts to allow an appeal to the First Circuit. This appeal challenges a decision that significantly reduced the scope of its class action suit, alleging that Alexion utilized questionable patent…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently scrutinized a patent lawyer who had previously been sanctioned for misconduct. During the session, the panel of judges questioned the lawyer’s behavior and explored whether additional disciplinary actions might be warranted to address the issues raised. In a detailed examination, the court focused on specific…
In a decisive legal victory for Green Revolution Cooling Inc., U.S. District Judge Alan Albright has dismissed a patent infringement case that accused the company of violating a competitor’s patent related to electronics cooling products used in data centers. The ruling, delivered just before the trial was to commence next month, signifies a substantial legal…
Abiomed, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, remains embroiled in a legal confrontation after a Massachusetts federal judge declined to dismiss claims regarding an alleged patent infringement. The case centers on a blood pump technology contested by Atrium Medical Corp., a unit of Getinge AB, a Swedish medical device company. This legal proceeding unfolds…
As the landscape of executive compensation in the corporate legal sector continues to evolve, Merck’s General Counsel, Scott Marrs, stands out, earning over $5.8 million in total compensation for 2025. This figure underscores the increasing value that pharmaceutical giants place on legal expertise in navigating regulatory challenges and complex global markets. The compensation package reflects…
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has commenced an investigation following allegations from Belkin that a competitor is importing and distributing screen protectors that infringe on three of its patents. This move underscores the growing focus on intellectual property rights within the consumer electronics accessories market. Belkin, a prominent player in the accessory sector, claims…
In a pivotal legal dispute, PNC Bank has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a decision by the Federal Circuit that nullified a series of $233 million patent infringement verdicts initially decided in favor of the United Services Automobile Association (USAA). The crux of the argument centers around the nature of USAA’s patents, which…
A recent session at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit became a scene of evident frustration as judges engaged with attorneys from Purdue Pharma LP and Accord Healthcare Inc. The legal debate centered around whether a Delaware district court’s decision to invalidate Purdue’s abuse-deterrence patent was adequately specific in its reasoning. Judges…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is implementing a significant procedural change that could reshape the landscape of patent law by potentially decreasing the number of ex parte reexamination filings. This new procedure allows patent owners to respond directly to reexamination requests, adding a crucial opportunity for defense before any action is taken. Legal…
Starbucks Corp. has decided to withdraw its lawsuit against two Irish entities that it had accused of violating Washington State’s laws concerning “bad faith” patent claims. This legal move came to light with a joint motion filed in a Washington federal court that requested the dismissal of the case. The lawsuit’s termination signifies a strategic…
Samsung Electronics Co. has announced its intention to seek a new trial following a jury’s decision in the Eastern District of Texas that found the company liable for $78.5 million. This verdict stems from allegations that Samsung infringed on patents related to automatic content recognition technology, specifically used for commercial advertising purposes. The tech giant…