In a recent development, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced a reduction in its backlog of unexamined patent applications, attributing the improvement to newly implemented strategies aimed at streamlining the patent examination process. The office further revealed its ambitious target of achieving even more significant reductions in the backlog over the coming…
EcoFactor Inc. has brought a significant appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging recent decisions by the Federal Circuit that the company claims undermine the constitutional role of juries in patent cases. The tech company argues that the Federal Circuit has adopted overly rigid patent-specific rules that unfairly restrict damages testimony, effectively usurping the jury’s…
Arcturus Therapeutics Inc. has initiated legal proceedings against AbbVie Inc. and Capstan Therapeutics, alleging the misappropriation of proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, contends that Capstan utilized Arcturus’s confidential LNP information to develop and patent competing drug delivery systems, which AbbVie subsequently…
In an era where the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) continues to grapple with a persistent backlog, the agency’s Track One prioritized examination program emerges as a viable alternative for patent applicants seeking a more predictable timeline. With patent applications often languishing for extended periods, Track One offers a timely option, ensuring a first…
The introduction of new guidelines regarding the use of illustrative aids in federal courts has prompted diverse reactions among legal professionals. These rules, which advocate for the effective deployment of diagrams, models, and digital simulations to clarify complex cases for juries, aim to streamline courtroom presentations and improve jury understanding. This regulatory shift reflects the…
The Federal Circuit recently vacated a $181 million jury verdict against telecommunications giants AT&T and Nokia. The verdict had previously sided with Finesse Wireless, which accused the companies of infringing upon its patents related to radio interference technology. The appellate court found substantial issues in the expert testimony that formed the pillar of the initial…
The legal battle between the creators of a hair-twisting system, prominently featured on “Shark Tank,” and its competitor has been resolved through a settlement, just days before the commencement of the trial. This case involved significant allegations of patent infringement, which drew considerable attention due to the involvement of Mark Cuban, one of the investors…
Microsoft recently gained a significant legal victory in a Utah federal court, where a judge ruled that the company did not infringe on patent claims related to software for previewing user command effects on computer documents. The court found the patent claims invalid due to an earlier invention, effectively clearing Microsoft of the infringement allegations….
The U.S. International Trade Commission’s recent data reveal a persistent trend in its intellectual property investigations, primarily focusing on computer and telecommunications products. The activity in 2024 mirrored previous years, with no significant deviation in the nature of the products under scrutiny. This consistency underscores the ongoing concerns in these sectors, where technological innovation often…
Blank Rome LLP recently expanded its intellectual property capabilities by hiring two experienced patent attorneys, strengthening its presence on both the East and West Coasts. The hires include a former member of Leason Ellis LLP, based in New York, and a Los Angeles-based alum from a prominent firm. This strategic move positions Blank Rome to…
In a recent development, Labcorp and Natera have resolved their ongoing legal battle over DNA sequencing patents through a midtrial settlement. The case, which was being heard in a Delaware federal court, involved allegations by Labcorp that Natera had infringed upon several of its DNA sequencing patents by selling a cancer testing product. This settlement…
In a significant legal development, AT&T and Nokia have successfully overturned a $166 million patent infringement verdict. This outcome stems from a recent decision by the Court of Appeals, which found that the lower court erred in its original judgment. The initial ruling had favored a technology company that accused both telecom giants of violating…
In a recent shift from public service to the private sector, the former U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent commissioner has transitioned to McDermott Will & Schulte as counsel in Washington, D.C. This move follows her resignation in February, amid a reduction in the federal workforce under the administration’s cost-cutting measures. Her experience is…
The U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Special Counsel investigating allegations of governmental “weaponization” has turned its focus toward the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This move follows concerns about the potential misuse of a patent program intended to streamline the review of applications deemed to be of national significance. The program in question, known…
In a recent development, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has stated in a D.C. federal court that it did not collaborate with Apple Inc. to circumvent an import ban concerning the Apple Watch, which is entangled in a patent dispute with Masimo Corp. Masimo had accused the tech giant and the agency of working…
In a significant legal development, Sandisk Technologies Inc. has garnered substantial backing from industry groups, leading academic figures, and Unified Patents in its challenge to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) contentious policy. This policy, which involves denying the review of patents based on the owner’s “settled expectations,” is criticized for allegedly contravening legal…
The Federal Circuit has provided Bayer Pharma AG with an opportunity to preserve several claims of a contested patent for Xarelto, its high-revenue blood thinner. This decision follows a complex legal battle where Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., and Cipla have challenged the patent’s validity. The case has been redirected to the Patent…
A Delaware federal court recently dismissed a lawsuit by MyPort Technologies Inc. against Apple Inc. concerning the alleged infringement of four patents related to smartphones and tablets. The court’s decision centered on the application of the Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International standard, which addresses patent claims that are deemed too abstract or lacking in…
In the first six months of 2025, Massachusetts’ biotech sector faced significant challenges, highlighted by a noticeable decline in venture capital funding and a slowdown in merger activity. These difficulties have prompted attorneys to explore innovative strategies to guide biotech companies through a period marked by fewer available public and private funds. In the midst…
Several renowned financial institutions, including Citibank and Cantor Fitzgerald, have recently become embroiled in patent litigation. Filed in federal courts in New York and Texas, these lawsuits allege infringement of a patented trading technology, as reported by Law360. With Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick having ties to Cantor Fitzgerald as a former executive, this case…
The Federal Circuit recently denied a request from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corp. for a rehearing regarding a Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) decision. Dolby’s appeal, which involved a matter in which they had initially prevailed, focused on their claim that not all interested parties had been identified during the PTAB proceedings. This decision by…
Intel and Apple are facing allegations of patent infringement over transceiver technology that Apple has reportedly used in multiple iPhone models. The lawsuit, filed by a technology company specializing in transceiver tech, claims that Intel has been aware of the patented technology for years and nonetheless continued to supply transceiver components to Apple for use…
A Delaware federal court has declined to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that Warner Bros. Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Fox Corporation infringed upon multiple lighting patents. The court, however, agreed to narrow the scope of the case by dismissing certain claims. The lawsuit, initiated by Colt International Clothing, centers on six patents related to bicolor…
In a notable development within the semiconductor industry, the deputy director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has opened the door for a company to contest a Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) decision that previously invalidated a claim within its semiconductor patent. This action surfaces amid conflicting outcomes between the board and…
The confirmation of John Squires as the new director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office marks a significant moment for patent attorneys seeking stability and consistency. Squires’ confirmation by the U.S. Senate has been met with anticipation, as legal professionals express a desire for clear and established rules in a field often fraught with…