PTAB Denies USAA Petition for Inter Partes Review, Emphasizing Precision in Patent Descriptions

On September 21, 2023, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) made a noteworthy decision to deny the United Services Automobile Association’s (USAA) petition to institute inter partes review of Auto Telematics’s U.S. Patent No. 9,633,487. This denial was made in consideration of the written description presented in the alternative embodiments. The inter partes review…

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USPTO Code of Conduct Reminder Emphasizes Professionalism and Streamlines Trademark Procedures

MarkIt to Market®’s November 2023 issue, published by Sterne Kessler, provides useful insights for legal professionals. A notable portion of this month’s issue is dedicated to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)’s recent alert which serves as a reminder to filers and practitioners about the Code of Conduct when interacting with the Office….

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USPTO Explores Intellectual Property Protections for Indigenous People’s Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge

In a significant development, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has called for inputs on the matter of protecting the genetic resources (GR), traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) of Indigenous People under the aegis of World Intellectual Property Organization (JD Supra). This exploratory move by USPTO puts a spotlight on the…

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Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Medical Technology Patent Strategies

Recent happenings within the Federal Circuit and the USPTO are likely to influence the swiftly evolving patent strategy around medical technology. Notably, in a case involving catheter insertion technology, the Federal Circuit invalidated a patent. Meanwhile, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) evaluated the eligibility of subject matter relating to medical technology inventions in…

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Firefighter’s PFAS Lawsuit Dismissed: Sixth Circuit Finds Insufficient Grounds for Responsibility Attribution

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has dismissed a lawsuit against companies, including 3M and DuPont, on the basis that the plaintiff, Kevin Hardwick, lacked standing. Hardwick, who had been a firefighter for over 40 years, claimed that these organizations were responsible for the existence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in…

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Embracing Customer Intimacy in the Legal Sector: The Role of Hyper-Personalization and Analytics

The shift from a customer-centric perspective to one that values customer intimacy marks a critical evolution in the business world, particularly within the legal sector. This transition is fueled by the era of hyper-personalization, where the focus goes beyond one-time marketing events and leverages long-term drivers of growth while emphasizing the importance of customer lifetime…

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European Startups with Strong IP Rights Attract Early-Stage VC Funding

In today’s fast-paced, innovation-driven economy, securing and protecting intellectual property (IP) rights have become critically important for businesses. A recent study conducted by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) lends significant weight to this argument, especially in relation to European startups looking to secure venture capital (VC) funding….

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Standing Requirements in IPR Appeals: Lessons from Allgenesis Biotherapeutics Inc. v. Cloudbreak Therapeutics, Inc.

In Federal Circuit 2023 case, Allgenesis Biotherapeutics Inc. v. Cloudbreak Therapeutics, Inc., the appeal from an unsuccessful challenger in an inter partes review (IPR) proceeding was dismissed. The basis of dismissal revolved around the failure to satisfy the standing requirements for appeal. As legal professionals, it is vital to understand the implications of this decision…

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Navigating the Shift in Bayh-Dole Act Amendments: Implications for Universities and Research Organizations

Recent amendments to reporting obligations under the Bayh-Dole Act are on the horizon, which could require significant adjustments for frequent receivers of federal aid like universities and research organizations JD Supra. Effective from October 1, 2023, these current changes may necessitate an update to agreement forms and reporting methods to stay abreast of the newly…

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Federal Circuit Reaffirms PTAB Authority Despite Procedural Lapses in Patent Cases

The U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals recently heard precedent-setting cases in patent law, which bear witness to the necessity of avoiding confrontations with courts and administrative bodies. As noted in the highly significant case PURDUE PHARMA LP v. COLLEGIUM PHARMA, INC. [OPINION] (2022-1482, 11/21/2023) presided over by Dyk, Hughes, and Stoll, it was decided…

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IP Insights at Contingent Risk Insurance Conference Highlight Expanding Market Potential

Gathered at the iconic Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C. for the first-ever Contingent Risk Insurance Conference, legal and financial professionals involved in high-stakes Intellectual Property (IP) disputes gleaned invaluable insights. Although the conference wasn’t specifically tailored to IP professionals, the event saw significant discussions regarding the convergence of litigation finance, insurance, and IP disputes. The…

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