In the bustling environment of London’s legal scene, recent developments have highlighted significant litigations involving well-known entities. The former owner of the British oil refinery Prax Group is facing a lawsuit following the collapse of his business empire. The details of the suit involve allegations of malfeasance related to the financial handling of his companies,…
Lenovo and Quectel have entered into agreements with Avanci to join its patent pool programs, a strategic move allowing these China-based companies to participate in the burgeoning market for 4G and 5G technologies in connected vehicles. This announcement comes as a significant development within the realm of automotive innovation, reflecting the increasing integration of advanced…
The recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has overturned a $21 million judgment against Top Brand LLC. This judgment previously held the company liable for infringing on Cozy Comfort Co.’s design patent and trademarks related to its popular “The Comfy” sweatshirt, known for its appearance on the television…
In a bipartisan effort to address escalating prescription drug costs, Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) have introduced legislation aimed at curbing the use of “patent thickets” by pharmaceutical companies. This practice involves obtaining multiple, overlapping patents to extend market exclusivity and delay the entry of lower-cost generic drugs. The proposed bill seeks…
As the second half of 2025 unfolds, patent attorneys are closely monitoring several pivotal cases likely to impact patent law practice significantly. The Federal Circuit is poised to address critical questions surrounding delays in prosecuting patents and the legal standing of the acting U.S. Patent and Trademark Office director to retroactively apply new rules. These…
As the second half of 2025 unfolds, several pivotal patent cases are capturing the attention of legal professionals across the United States. These cases address significant questions ranging from the boundaries of prosecutorial delays to the retroactive application of new rules by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). These decisions could resonate deeply within…
The art of patent claim construction is a critical component of intellectual property law, directly impacting the scope and enforceability of a patent. Misinterpretation akin to Vizzini’s misuse of “inconceivable” in “The Princess Bride” can have significant legal ramifications, as highlighted in a discussion on the importance of precision in legal terms (Law360). When claims…
Western District of Texas Judge Alan Albright has officially cleared Cisco Systems in a high-stakes legal battle, reinforcing the tech giant’s defense against infringement claims tied to communications network patents owned by Corrigent Corp. The judge’s decision on July 17, 2025, highlighted that Cisco did not infringe on certain patents and invalidated others, culminating in…
In a significant development for patent litigation, Google recently secured a legal victory aimed at addressing the long-standing imbalance in patent damages calculations. This legal triumph is particularly relevant for technology companies that have been embroiled in disputes over the valuation of patents. The case underscores the industry’s call for more predictable and reasonable damage…
In a significant ruling, a federal judge in Chicago has ruled that Fish & Richardson PC, an intellectual property firm, can continue to represent General Motors Co. in a contentious legal battle over patents related to fender designs. This decision came despite challenges from the opposing counsel, who argued that the firm had improperly sought…
In a significant ruling, a federal judge in Texas has disqualified WilmerHale from representing Verizon Communications Inc. in a patent dispute with Headwater Research LLC. This decision supports a magistrate judge’s earlier findings, addressing the potential conflict of interest due to WilmerHale’s prior representation of the patent owner. The case revolves around patents at the…
A recent court decision has allowed a lawsuit to proceed against an artificial intelligence company specializing in property risk assessment, accused of patent infringement. The federal judge’s ruling means the case will continue in court after determining that the patents in question withstand the scrutiny of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Alice test. This legal standard…
The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) continues to accept fewer petitions for patent challenges, reflecting a trend that aligns with recent shifts in how the board exercises its discretion. Data from July highlighted a substantial decrease in the PTAB’s institution rate following strategic changes in its decision-making process, as discussed at a recent Sterne…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is significantly expanding its use of artificial intelligence in the patent examination process, integrating advanced AI tools into its operations. This enhancement includes the addition of an AI-powered image search tool specifically designed for design patent examiners, complementing the existing tools utilized by utility patent examiners. This initiative,…
In a recent ruling, FaceTec Inc., a company focused on 3D face authentication, encountered a setback in its legal battle against legal giant Morrison & Foerster LLP, as the U.S. District Court refused to disqualify the firm from continuing its representation in a patent infringement case. FaceTec had previously sought to disqualify Morrison & Foerster,…
As the role of artificial intelligence in drug development expands, legal professionals are increasingly scrutinizing how existing regulations apply to these new technologies. In particular, the applicability of the research tool safe harbor provision has come into focus. This provision, known formally as 35 U.S.C. § 271(e)(1), traditionally shields certain types of research from patent…
In a recent decision, a federal court in Chicago has ruled in favor of the prominent intellectual property firm Fish & Richardson PC, allowing it to continue representing General Motors Co. in an ongoing patent dispute. The case, which centers on patents for fender designs, faced a challenge from opposing counsel who argued that Fish…
In a recent decision, a California federal judge denied FaceTec Inc.’s motion to disqualify Morrison & Foerster LLP from representing Jumio Corp. in an ongoing patent infringement lawsuit. FaceTec had argued that Morrison & Foerster’s prior collaboration with Perkins Coie LLP, which was previously disqualified from the case, warranted their removal as well. The dispute…
A California federal judge recently denied a motion by FaceTec, a biometric security company, to disqualify Morrison & Foerster LLP from representing a competitor in a patent infringement lawsuit. This decision follows the ouster of Perkins Coie, which initially faced a similar disqualification attempt. This ruling underscores the complex dynamics of legal representation in high-stakes…
In a recent development in the ongoing legal battles over drug patents, a New Jersey federal judge has reversed her previous decision, impacting Novartis’ efforts to prevent the sale of a generic version of its heart failure drug, Entresto. The judge acknowledged an error in her initial analysis of a trade dress claim, which had…
In a recent decision affecting a high-stakes patent litigation, a federal judge in Texas affirmed a magistrate judge’s ruling to disqualify WilmerHale attorneys from representing Verizon in its ongoing legal battle with Headwater Research LLC. The disqualification is rooted in a conflict of interest, as WilmerHale previously represented the owner of the patents under dispute….
In a recent legal development, organizations representing startups and intellectual property owners have urged the Federal Circuit to dismiss SAP America Inc.’s petition for mandamus. This petition challenges the discretionary denials policy managed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The concerned parties argue that the USPTO’s decision-making fell within the scope of its…
The ongoing debate over the pricing of Xtandi, a prostate cancer medication developed at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and marketed by Pfizer, has intensified with renewed calls for the federal government to intervene by permitting generic competition. This development coincides with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent confirmation,…
A New Jersey federal judge has enacted a temporary injunction against several generic-drug manufacturers, preventing them from distributing their versions of a selenium injection treatment. This legal action arises amidst claims of patent infringement from American Regent Inc., the patent holder of the injectable selenium product. According to a recent report, the company’s legal team…
In the first half of 2025, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the U.S. Copyright Office have introduced several initiatives and policy changes that significantly impact intellectual property (IP) law and practice. In January, the USPTO unveiled its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, aiming to integrate AI technologies into patent and trademark examination processes….