In a notable update from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Director John Squires has made a significant move by granting 10 petitions for patent review. This decision reflects a growing trend in reassessing the validity of existing patents, often prompted by increased litigation pressure and innovation challenges. As industries push for technological advancement, such…
In a significant development in the realm of intellectual property disputes, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires has remanded a part of a Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) ruling involving Tesla. The decision concerns a digital camera technology patent, originally claimed by Tesla to be invalid. The director’s order mandates the PTAB…
In a recent development in the intellectual property realm, 7-Eleven has decided to drop its lawsuit against Nike concerning a contentious trademark issue involving the sportswear giant’s line of tricolor shoes. The convenience store chain argued that Nike’s red, orange, and green color scheme mimicked 7-Eleven’s iconic branding and that the release timing on July…
In a significant development in trademark litigation, British shirtmaker Thomas Pink is taking legal action to prevent Victoria’s Secret from pursuing its trademark claims in the United States. The dispute centers around the use of the “Pink” trademark, which has been a contentious issue between the two brands. Thomas Pink has argued in a London…
Amid shifting dynamics in patent litigation, recent constraints on inter partes reviews (IPRs) have redirected attention towards the ex parte reexamination process. While this route is gaining traction, its increased use brings a mix of advantages and challenges for those navigating complex intellectual property landscapes. A report highlights that the waning efficacy of IPRs has…
CNN is facing a trademark infringement lawsuit filed in a Texas federal court, accusing the network of unauthorized use of the phrase “Change My Mind,” which is associated with conservative media personality Steven Crowder. The lawsuit claims that CNN utilized this phrase as a backdrop during a town hall event featuring Democratic U.S. Senate candidate…
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a significant case involving Google and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). At the heart of the dispute was an argument from Google that the USPTO has overstepped its authority by allowing the age of patents to influence its decisions on whether they should be reviewed….
Puma is currently engaged in a legal dispute with an activewear company called Sprints over trademark issues. The latter has sought judgment from an Ohio federal court to affirm that its feline logo and the “Sprints” name do not infringe on Puma’s trademark. Sprints argues that the distinctiveness of their design and brand differentiates it…
An Illinois federal court has issued an injunction in a trademark dispute involving Ledo’s Inc., a family-owned pizzeria. The ruling restricts the pizzeria’s use of its trademark within a specific geographical radius around its restaurant location. Furthermore, constraints have been placed on how the establishment can handle delivery and shipping orders, intensifying the implications of…
The rise of artificial intelligence in software development has introduced a new dimension of intellectual property challenges, particularly concerning “vibe-coded” products. AI’s capacity to assist individuals with minimal coding experience in creating sophisticated software disrupts traditional paradigms, yet this ease of creation brings with it a web of potential IP risks. For instance, leveraging AI…
In a significant development affecting trademark law involving Native American tribes, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) has issued a ruling with implications for trademark strategy and the defenses available to tribes. On September 18, the TTAB ruled in Philip Morris USA Inc. v. IP Services International Inc. that tribal sovereign immunity cannot be…
In a recent development, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has implored the Supreme Court to deny the petitions filed by Intel Corp. and Google LLC, aiming to challenge the precedent set forth by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) that allows petitions to be denied on the basis of concurrent litigation. This…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has called on the U.S. Supreme Court to reject challenges made by Google LLC and Intel Corp. regarding the application of the Fintiv decision. This decision allows the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to deny petitions based on related court litigation, a process both tech giants believe…
Electric vehicle giant Tesla has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to address a pivotal issue concerning the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) leadership’s discretionary authority in granting or denying patent reviews. This plea follows a recent government brief which, according to Tesla, underscores the office’s aim to secure “absolute power” over these reviews. This…
Amazon has initiated efforts to halt court-ordered fund transfers in multiple trademark cases filed against numerous online sellers in Chicago’s federal court. The company, while not a direct party to these lawsuits, is investigating potential misuse of the legal process to access funds that Amazon had previously frozen for unrelated reasons. These cases, commonly referred…
The Federal Circuit recently affirmed the decision by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to reject an inventor’s patent application for an internal combustion engine, dismissing claims of constitutional violations. The rejection gains significance against the backdrop of the USPTO’s former Sensitive Application Warning System (SAWS), a contentious program that has since been discontinued….
The Supreme Court’s upcoming conference docket offers a blend of spirited legal debates fitting the Halloween season, as it examines a series of notable relists. As highlighted in a recent analysis by SCOTUSblog, among the cases are issues related to both the freedom to distill spirits and contentious matters involving school admissions and Halloween restrictions….
In a notable move, a company embroiled in trademark litigation has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to address a contentious ruling by the Seventh Circuit regarding prejudgment interest. The company, which produces apparel featuring the U.S. Army’s slogan “This We’ll Defend,” argues that the courts are “deeply divided” on awarding prejudgment interest. The case involves…
In a notable development, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires has taken decisive action by instituting four new America Invents Act (AIA) reviews at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). This move reflects the ongoing scrutiny of patent validity in key sectors. Alongside these grants, Squires also rejected three petitions, underscoring the…
The Lizzie Borden House, a popular Massachusetts bed-and-breakfast known for its macabre history, has been involved in a legal tussle with a coffee shop over trademark infringement. The dispute centers on the unauthorized use of the Borden House’s trademarks by the coffee shop, which adopted a name and branding elements closely associated with the infamous…
Heather Repicky of Barnes & Thornburg has been named the Intellectual Property Attorney of the Year at the New England Legal Awards ceremony held in Boston on October 8. This accolade recognizes her contributions and achievements in the field of intellectual property law, which is a testament to her dedication and expertise. Repicky has been…
Coke Morgan Stewart, who previously served as Acting Director and Deputy Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), has been appointed as the new CEO and president of the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP). Stewart’s tenure at the USPTO was marked by efforts to reduce the patent application backlog and to limit access…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has proposed new regulations aimed at limiting the scope of inter partes review (IPR) proceedings, a move that has now reached the White House for further evaluation. These proposed changes are designed to reduce redundant patent challenges and enhance the reliability of patent rights. Under the proposed…
An Illinois state judge announced plans to remove Fox Corporation, the parent company of TMZ, from a trademark infringement lawsuit initiated by former NFL star Terrell Owens. Owens accused TMZ of exploiting his well-known catchphrase “Getcha Popcorn Ready” in the outlet’s football coverage. The lawsuit contended that the phrase was used as a tagline to…
In a recent development in the ongoing legal battle involving an online advertising company, an insurer has filed a motion in a California federal court asserting it is not liable for coverage in a trademark infringement lawsuit. The insurer claims that the dispute is intricately linked to an earlier state court case that falls outside…