In a recent development in the Northern District of Texas, a federal magistrate judge advised narrowing the legal proceedings in a patent infringement case between Intellectual Ventures and Southwest Airlines. The recommendation involves the dismissal of one patent claim put forth by Intellectual Ventures, significantly recalibrating the scope of the lawsuit. This move also involves…
In a significant development at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Director John Squires has issued a decision concerning four petitions for review under the America Invents Act (AIA). In his latest order, Squires granted just one of these petitions while denying the other three. The granted review will allow for an in-depth examination…
Nicholas Evoy, a partner at Covington & Burling LLP, is quickly establishing himself as a formidable force in the legal domain. Recently, he played a pivotal role in assisting AbbVie Inc. in its defense against attempts to introduce generic versions of its flagship immunosuppressant drug. This case highlights Evoy’s adeptness at handling complex pharmaceutical patent…
Securing a fresh round of funding is a critical milestone for tech startups, often accompanied by new expectations and pressures. While the influx of capital provides an opportunity to scale operations and advance innovations, it also introduces heightened investor scrutiny and market competition. In this context, reassessing and fine-tuning your patent strategy becomes essential to…
Former Deputy Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Coke Morgan Stewart, has stepped into a prominent role in intellectual property advocacy. Stewart has been appointed as CEO and president of the Council for Innovation Promotion, taking the reins of the group responsible for advancing IP rights and innovation-related policies in Washington, D.C….
In a compelling legal confrontation, Shoals Technologies Group Inc., a prominent solar components manufacturer, presented a case before a federal jury in North Carolina, spotlighting accusations against a rival firm for patent infringement. This ongoing trial could reshape the competitive landscape in the renewable energy sector. The contention arose when Shoals alleged that a competing…
The legal community is closely monitoring a significant development in the realm of design patent law. Recent discussions have centered on a sharply divided order from the full Federal Circuit, which declined to reconsider the standards for design patent infringement. Attorneys are now looking towards the U.S. Supreme Court to provide clarity amidst what has…
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has urged an Idaho federal court to dismiss a request from a baby carrier manufacturer seeking to compel a rival to withdraw its concurrent ITC complaint. The move underscores the ITC’s stance on maintaining its jurisdiction over such disputes and highlights the complexity of navigating parallel proceedings in different…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced plans to expand its community outreach efforts in the Southwest region of the United States, effectively seeking public input on potential sites for new offices. This initiative aims to enhance the agency’s accessibility and engagement with innovators and businesses across the six-state region, which includes Arizona,…
The recent legal battle between Nielsen Co. and TVision Insights Inc. has taken another turn as The Nielsen Co. faced a setback at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The court declined to revive Nielsen’s claims of patent infringement against TVision, while Nielsen also contests a jury verdict that cleared TVision of…
The recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the case of Ollnova Technologies Ltd. v. Ecobee Technologies ULC stands as a significant development in patent litigation. On June 4, the court vacated an $11.5 million verdict, prompting a new trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District…
In the ever-evolving world of intellectual property, patent filers are increasingly finding the need to anticipate disputes at the earliest stages of their applications. This foresight has become a critical consideration for businesses and legal professionals, as the landscape becomes more competitive and litigious. As highlighted by Bloomberg Law, early-stage strategies for anticipating disputes can…
A recent ruling by a Florida federal judge has cleared a Baker Botts LLP patent attorney of a defamation claim made by an inventor. The case was dismissed after the judge found no evidence of defamatory comments made by the attorney to a reporter. The decision aligns with the earlier recommendation by a magistrate judge…
In a notable move in the intellectual property landscape, Netlist Inc. has filed a fresh complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission against Micron Technology, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), and two other companies, asserting that their imports infringe on several memory patents. This action follows closely on the heels of a substantial licensing agreement reached…
A Florida federal judge recently dismissed a defamation claim against a Baker Botts LLP patent attorney, concluding that comments made to a reporter did not amount to defamation. The decision followed a recommendation by a magistrate judge who found that the inventor failed to demonstrate the attorney’s comments were defamatory. The case highlights the challenges…
Recent findings indicate a shifting dynamic in how the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) grants patents, showing a marked preference for larger companies, both domestic and international. This trend, outlined in a report from Labrynth, highlights concerns about the office’s alignment with corporate interests over those of independent inventors. The report shows that major…
In a significant development, Johnson & Johnson has urged the Fourth Circuit not to revive an antitrust lawsuit initiated by CareFirst. The suit alleges that the pharmaceutical giant attempted to monopolize the market for the immunosuppressive drug Stelara. This legal contention centers on accusations that Johnson & Johnson may have engaged in anti-competitive practices, which…
The electric vehicle (EV) industry, once a beacon of innovation and sustainability, is now grappling with a significant downturn in sales. This decline has precipitated an increase in legal disputes among manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. A primary catalyst for these challenges appears to be the elimination of federal tax incentives, which had previously bolstered…
In an impressive demonstration of legal acumen, Jodi-Ann Tillman of Shutts & Bowen LLP recently stepped into a high-stakes patent infringement case involving drum technology, just months before the trial commenced. Her involvement drew significant attention due to the critical and technical nature of patent litigation, a field known for its complexity and the necessity…
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John Squires has petitioned the Federal Circuit to review a Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) decision that upheld Corteva Agriscience LLC’s patent on insect-resistant corn. Squires contends that the PTAB’s ruling contains errors warranting appellate intervention. The PTAB’s decision, issued in November 2025, affirmed the validity of…
Jodi-Ann Tillman, a prominent attorney with Shutts & Bowen LLP, recently distinguished herself in the courtroom after joining a patent infringement lawsuit involving drum technology just months before the trial. Her adept handling of the case garnered commendation from opposing counsel, including Laura Ganoza of Foley & Lardner LLP. The praise highlights Tillman’s skills in…
In the complex landscape of intellectual property disputes in agriculture, the legal battle between Corteva Agriscience LLC and plant breeding startup Inari Agriculture Inc. took another turn as a federal judge recently dismissed two additional counterclaims put forth by Inari. This ongoing litigation involves accusations from Corteva that Inari has infringed on its seed technology…
The legal dispute between Cisco Systems Inc. and Brazos Licensing and Development has concluded following a decision to dismiss the patent case. This agreement comes over a year after a jury in the Western District of Texas ruled in favor of Cisco, clearing the company of allegations related to router patent infringement. Both parties reached…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced a significant update to its criteria for the patent bar examination, making it easier for graduates with biomedical science degrees to qualify. This change was announced on Tuesday, highlighting an effort to widen the scope of eligibility for professionals entering the field of intellectual property law….
The Federal Circuit made headlines recently when it decided not to revisit the established methodology for assessing design patent infringement. This development was met with contention, particularly from those in the industry who argue that the court’s current approach diverges significantly from prior U.S. Supreme Court guidance. This issue stems from a case involving a…