An obscure New York-based patent holder, Secure Matrix LLC, has filed cybersecurity patent infringement lawsuits against eight major companies in the U.S. Eastern and Western Districts of Texas. Among the defendants are three U.S. companies: Microsoft Corp., IBM Corp., and Bank of America. Additionally, the lawsuits target five overseas companies from Japan, Korea, India, and…
Polsinelli has fortified its intellectual property capabilities by welcoming Zachary Block as a new shareholder specializing in patent prosecution to its St. Louis office. The firm made this announcement on Monday, highlighting Block’s expertise in the fields of autonomous vehicles, aerospace, electric motors and control, and medical devices. Block’s practice focuses on developing and managing…
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has staunchly opposed Columbia University’s effort to introduce new evidence in their appellate sanctions bid. The contention arises from a multimillion-dollar patent dispute wherein Quinn Emanuel defended NortonLifeLock Inc. against Columbia’s allegations. Columbia University filed a motion on June 11 to the Federal Circuit, stating that a new declaration from…
Womble Bond Dickinson has welcomed Alison Ko as a new partner in their patent prosecution and litigation group based in Greenville, South Carolina. The firm made the announcement Wednesday. Ko brings extensive experience in managing global patent and trademark portfolios. Her expertise encompasses drafting and prosecuting both domestic and international patent and trademark applications. Additionally,…
The inception of the 2022 Chips and Science Act has been a significant driver in the allocation of federal funds towards the development of advanced technologies, including semiconductor manufacturing. Companies such as GlobalFoundries and Intel have already harnessed funds from the Chips Act to bolster their technological capabilities. However, the attractiveness of federal funding comes…
In a significant legal development, a jury in the United States has returned a verdict against Amazon, awarding $122 million in damages. The case revolved around whether two patents were indeed valid and if Amazon had infringed upon these patents by making, selling, or using the patented inventions. The detailed findings are captured in the…
In a contentious trademark dispute heard in a Chicago federal court, a judge expressed frustration with the defense tactics employed by an event promoter accused of trademark infringement. The litigation centers around the use of the term “tribe” in association with Black community initiatives. Triibe Inc., an organization committed to uplifting the Black community, has…
The US Supreme Court’s June 13 decision in the “Trump Too Small” trademark case underscored a potential rift among the justices regarding First Amendment jurisprudence, yet it contributed little to intellectual property law. This case, formally known as Vidal v. Elster, arose when Steve Elster sought to register “Trump Too Small” as a trademark for…
A New Jersey law firm asserted its “common law” right to place a lien on a former client’s patents, arguing it can do so without notifying the client. This move comes in response to a biopharmaceutical startup that ceased paying its legal bills after dismissing the firm. The firm maintains that the lien is justified…
Microsoft Corp. has petitioned a federal judge in Texas for $100,000 in sanctions against Ramey LLP, an intellectual property law firm. The technology giant claims that Ramey LLP continued to prosecute a patent-infringement lawsuit on behalf of CTD Networks LLC, despite the client’s explicit instructions to dismiss the case. The motion, filed on June 14…
A Cooley LLP attorney will face scrutiny in a Philadelphia courtroom next week concerning her decade-old work at a previous firm, where she defended a cloud software startup currently engaged in litigation against a Cooley client. This matter highlights the complexities and potential conflicts of interest prevailing in the legal practice, especially in the realm…
The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously rejected an application to trademark the phrase “Trump too small” for use on T-shirts criticizing the former president. The court’s decision maintains the authority of the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to refuse such trademark registrations based on provisions of the Lanham Act, which prevent trademarks that identify “a…
The recent US Supreme Court decision blocking the registration of the “Trump Too Small” trademark has shed light on deeper constitutional disagreements within the bench. While all nine justices concurred that the “names clause” in the Lanham Act, which prohibits registering trademarks that refer to living individuals without consent, does not breach the First Amendment,…
Columbia University has presented a declaration to the Federal Circuit, suggesting that Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP may have misrepresented facts related to a key witness’s refusal to testify. The witness, a former computer scientist at Norton Lifelock Inc., is at the center of the university’s $600 million patent case in a Virginia federal…
On Wednesday, a congressional committee initiated discussions on enhancing transparency in third-party litigation funding agreements. The aim is to reduce the prevalence of what lawmakers describe as abusive patent lawsuits and mitigate national security risks, particularly regarding the potential involvement of hostile foreign governments in legal proceedings. For more detailed insights into the ongoing discussions,…
In a recent House judiciary committee hearing on litigation finance in the intellectual property (IP) sector, Representative Darrell Issa (R-Ca.) declared his intention to draft legislation mandating disclosure within the next 10 days. The hearing explored various concerns surrounding the $15.3 billion industry, where investors fund lawsuits in return for a portion of any awarded…
Biglaw firms are intensifying their efforts to expand in Boston, causing significant talent attrition for local firms. According to Bloomberg Law, midsize firm Burns & Levinson has faced notable departures, losing nearly 50 attorneys since April. Amid this exodus, Burns & Levinson is exploring merger prospects to stabilize and grow. In a statement, the firm…
Columbia University is endeavoring to introduce new testimony to a Federal Circuit appellate record in a high-stakes legal battle involving nearly $300 million in sanctions tied to a contempt ruling against lawyers from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP. The case revolves around Quinn Emanuel representing Gen Digital Inc., previously known as NortonLifeLock, in a…
Just over a year ago, commentary emerged on the patent defenses safeguarding Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly’s substantial diabetes and weight-loss medications, namely Ozempic/Wegovy and Mounjaro/Zepbound (Above the Law, 2023). These drugs are credited with notable physical transformations among users, and demand for them has driven the valuations of their respective companies sky high. Surrounding…
Elon Musk is so opposed to Apple’s plan to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT with device operating systems that he has been heavily criticizing the partnership while seemingly spreading misconceptions. On X (formerly Twitter), Musk criticized alleged privacy and security risks since the plan was announced Monday at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference. “If Apple integrates OpenAI…
Boston-founded Burns & Levinson is currently facing significant staffing challenges after losing 17 professionals to ArentFox Schiff. The notable departure includes eight partners, three counsel, two associates, and four patent agents, which has contributed to ArentFox Schiff’s over 40% growth in their Boston office this year. In response, Burns & Levinson is exploring strategic options…
White & Case has significantly bolstered its intellectual property (IP) practice by hiring Mark Davies, a seasoned appellate lawyer known for his frequent representation of Apple Inc. in federal court. This notable addition is part of a broader hiring spree in the tech and IP domain, aimed at reinforcing the firm’s capabilities in handling complex…
Legal professionals are mourning the loss of Craig Weinlein, Executive Director of The Sedona Conference, who recently passed away at the age of 68. Weinlein took over from founder Richard Braman in 2014, but his connection with the organization dates back to its early days. He was among the faculty at Sedona’s inaugural Conference on…
Dickinson Wright PLLC has expanded its intellectual property practice by welcoming another seasoned attorney from Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP to its Silicon Valley office. The firm announced on Monday that the new addition brings extensive experience, having handled over 1,000 U.S. and international patent matters. This recruitment marks a continued effort by Dickinson…
Melissa Patterson has joined Dickinson Wright as a new member of the firm’s intellectual property (IP) practice, according to an announcement made by the firm on Monday. Patterson’s expertise lies in patent applications, licensing, and litigation across diverse technological fields such as software, computer and mechanical devices, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, blockchain, and financial…