June 11, 2026

Authored by: Joshua P. Astin For patent owners accustomed to the annuity systems used in other jurisdictions, the U.S. maintenance fee structure will feel broadly familiar in concept but differs in important ways when it comes to timing and process.…

June 2, 2026

Authored by: Chris Roberts Navigating the costs associated with U.S. trademark prosecution can feel daunting, particularly for applicants managing portfolios across multiple jurisdictions. The good news is that with a bit of strategic planning, it is entirely possible to keep…

May 29, 2026

Have you ever had a brilliant invention idea but felt completely overwhelmed by the journey from concept to finished product on store shelves? You’re not alone — and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) wants to help bridge that…

May 12, 2026

The USPTO’s Patent Fraud Mitigation Unit is aggressively targeting unauthorized representatives and fraudulent submissions in patent proceedings, and the numbers are striking. Bad actors operating as unauthorized representatives undermine the integrity of the patent system, delay legitimate applications, and increase…

April 9, 2026

Authored by: Blake R. Hartz When filing a U.S. trademark application, one of the fundamental decisions applicants face is whether to seek registration on the Principal Register or the Supplemental Register. While many applicants may not be aware that two…

March 20, 2026

Authored by: Michael M. Morris and Jeremy J. Gustrowsky The United States Patent and Trademark Office has published a final rule requiring patent applicants and patent owners who are not domiciled in the United States or its territories to be…

March 19, 2026

Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently announced the release of a new artificial intelligence tool designed to speed up one of the most time-consuming steps in trademark application processing. Called the “Classification…

March 12, 2026

Authored by: Blake R. Hartz U.S. trademark applicants must establish both a filing basis and a registration basis. While this may sound straightforward, the distinction between these two concepts and the specific requirements associated with each can be a source…

December 9, 2025

In re Bayou Grande Coffee Roasting Co. Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky The Federal Circuit recently reversed a decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) that had refused to register the mark “KAHWA” for cafés and coffee shops.…

November 28, 2025

Revised Inventorship Guidance for AI-Assisted Inventions Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently released revised guidance clarifying how inventorship should be determined for inventions created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). This…

November 6, 2025

In re Motorola Sols., Inc Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit denied Motorola Solutions, Inc.’s attempt to overturn the Patent Office’s (USPTO) decision to end several inter partes review (IPR) proceedings involving patents challenged…

October 3, 2025

US Inventor, Inc. v. United States Pat. & Trademark Off Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by US Inventor, Inc. and National Small Business United against the…