The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is set to redefine the landscape of patent examination. With the agency’s increasing reliance on AI, legal experts are anticipating a future where patents, particularly design patents, become more robust. The advanced analytical capabilities of AI promise to enhance the evaluation…
Tesla faces a new legal challenge as a lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Texas accuses the company’s vehicles, including the Cybertruck, of infringing several patents related to methods of training autonomous vehicles. The lawsuit, initiated on July 24, 2025, alleges that Tesla’s technology improperly utilizes patented systems pivotal for autonomous vehicle operations. Such…
In an evolving landscape where the demand for robust patent quality remains a key focus, efforts to increase third-party preissuance submissions offer promising avenues for improvement. Historically, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has seen an over-reliance on inter partes review (IPR) as a tool for addressing patent quality, a concern voiced by leaders…
The recent decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to invalidate certain claims of a Headwater Research patent has shifted the landscape in a significant legal battle between Samsung and the patent holder. This action comes on the heels of a jury verdict that had previously found Samsung liable for nearly $279 million…
The Federal Circuit recently upheld a decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, siding with Snap Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., and X Corp. in a patent dispute against Xerox Holdings Corp. The technology giants successfully argued that certain claims in Xerox’s patent, which covered methods of providing personalized content to users, were invalid. This…
In a notable legal development, a federal jury in Texas has determined that Verizon Communications Inc. has infringed upon two wireless communications patents held by Headwater Research, resulting in a damages award of $175 million. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, marking a significant financial implication for the telecommunications giant, which is a key player…
The Federal Circuit has opted not to revisit its initial ruling on patent eligibility concerning machine learning, a move that leaves a significant precedent intact. This decision follows the court’s previous determination in April that general machine learning techniques applied to new arenas cannot be patented. The implications of this decision resonate profoundly across the…
In a recent legal development that may resonate with patent attorneys and IP litigators, Astellas Pharma along with several generic drug manufacturers faced a stinging admonition from a Delaware federal magistrate judge. The case, revolving around patent infringement claims, saw the judge condemning both parties for their relentless and, in her words, “abusive” conduct in…
A legal battle has erupted over eye-control technology in the assistive devices market, as a Washington-based company has filed a lawsuit against a German firm, accusing it of misappropriating patented technology designed for wheelchair users. This innovative technology allows individuals to control powered wheelchairs by simply looking at a screen, a pivotal advancement for those…
Crocs Inc., a major player in the footwear industry, is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review a Federal Circuit decision that has reignited false advertising claims against the company. The claims center around the allegation that Crocs marketed its shoes as being made from “patented, proprietary, and exclusive” materials, which were not actually patented….
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has introduced several new policies this year, reshaping the landscape of intellectual property law. These changes have sparked widespread discussion among those involved in patent acquisition, enforcement, and litigation. According to a recent analysis, the policies are designed to streamline the patent examination process, making it more…
A recent decision in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware has marked a significant moment in the ongoing legal battle between pharmaceutical giants. The case revolves around Mylan Pharmaceuticals’ attempt to launch a generic version of Wegovy, a weight-loss drug, currently under patent protection by Novo Nordisk. Judge Maryellen Noreika found…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced that, effective September 1, 2025, all hearings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) will require in-person attendance. This policy shift marks a departure from the remote hearing protocols implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the USPTO’s recent bulletin, hearings will be conducted at…
The Federal Circuit has upheld a decision that dismissed the intellectual property claims brought by SME Steel Contractors against a newer company founded by its former head engineer. This ruling marks a significant moment for seismic bracing technologies and intellectual property law, as the court backed the lower court’s decision supporting the new entity on…
Brandt’s Fruit Trees has taken legal action against a Yakima Valley farm, accusing it of trademark infringement related to the Pink Lady apple trademark. The case, brought before a Washington federal court, claims that approximately 55,000 unlicensed Lady in Red apple trees were involved, ostensibly violating a grower licensing agreement. These allegations underline the ongoing…
In a legal maneuver with significant implications for patent proceedings, Stellar Inc. has urged the Federal Circuit to dismiss Motorola’s challenge against a decision from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s acting head. This decision had effectively ended Motorola’s bid to nullify several Stellar patents via the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. The case brings…
In a recent decision, a California federal judge dismissed an attorney’s False Claims Act (FCA) suit against Valeant Pharmaceuticals regarding the patented drug Apriso. This marks another legal setback for the whistleblower who accused Valeant of fraudulently securing a patent to obstruct generic competition for Apriso. Although the suit faced dismissal, the judge has granted…
The Federal Circuit has decided not to issue an injunction against MSN Pharmaceuticals, allowing the company to proceed with releasing its generic version of the cardiovascular drug Entresto. This decision comes amid Novartis’ ongoing appeal of a noninfringement ruling regarding its patent rights on the drug. The court’s order, delivered on Tuesday, marks a significant…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently confirmed the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s decision to invalidate a patent held by IGT, a company known for its expertise in gambling technologies. The challenge was brought by mobile game developer Zynga, with the Federal Circuit dismissing claims of “unlawful shenanigans” regarding the board’s…
In a pivotal legal clash, Maxell Ltd. is pressing a Texas federal judge to enhance a $112 million jury verdict, seeking a permanent injunction against Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. The case revolves around disputed patent technologies implemented in personal electronics. Maxell’s legal team argues that Samsung has willfully infringed on these patents, justifying an elevated…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently declined to intervene in a discovery dispute between Germany-based Buergofol GmbH and South Dakota’s Omega Liner Co. Inc., thus allowing Omega Liner to access certain discovery information. This development is part of an ongoing patent infringement case where Omega Liner accuses Buergofol of infringing on…
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has determined that China’s deployment of anti-suit injunctions within the realm of patent litigation is in violation of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). This development marks a significant step in the ongoing discussions regarding international intellectual property practices and their compatibility with global trade regulations….
The U.S. State Department is engaged in discussions with Chinese officials regarding a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) employee who is currently barred from leaving China. The employee, whose identity has not been disclosed, is reportedly entangled in a visa-related dispute. This incident has raised significant concerns within diplomatic circles, emphasizing the precarious nature…
In a legal maneuver capturing significant attention, SAP SE, the German software powerhouse, has initiated a patent infringement lawsuit against a rising competitor in Europe’s patent court. This move comes as SAP concurrently faces antitrust scrutiny in the United States, where allegations suggest it is using its influence to edge competitors out of the market…
In a significant decision impacting the inter partes review (IPR) estoppel landscape, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit addressed the contentious parameters of estoppel in the recent case of Ingenico Inc. v. Ioengine LLC. Since the inception of IPR proceedings in 2012, there has been an ongoing legal debate about the extent…