IP Law Digest
Supreme Court Says Providing Internet Service to Known Copyright Infringers Isn’t Enough for Liability
March 25, 2026
COX COMMUNICATIONS v. SONY MUSIC Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky The Supreme Court handed down a major decision on secondary copyright liability, ruling that an internet service provider cannot be held liable for its subscribers’ copyright infringement simply because it…
Read MoreUSPTO Final Rule: Mandatory US Representation for Foreign Patent Applicants and Owners – Effective 20 July 2026
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…
Read MoreUSPTO Launches AI Tool That Cuts Trademark Classification Time from Five Months to Five Minutes
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…
Read MoreBeyond the Silver Screen: Hedy Lamarr’s Hidden Legacy as a Pioneer of Modern Technology
March 8, 2026
Celebrating the Untold Stories of Women Inventors this International Women’s Day When most people hear the name Hedy Lamarr, they picture the glamorous Hollywood actress who graced silver screens in the 1940s and 1950s. What they don’t envision is a…
Read MoreU.S. Counsel Requirement for International Trademark Applicants: What Foreign Associates Need to Know
February 23, 2026
Authored by: Shane T. Moreillon Since August 3, 2019, the landscape for international trademark practice in the United States fundamentally changed. If you represent clients seeking trademark protection in the U.S. market, understanding the mandatory U.S. counsel requirement is essential…
Read MoreUnderstanding U.S. Trademark Priority: A Guide for International Practitioners
January 26, 2026
Authored by: Shane T. Moreillon For attorneys practicing outside the United States, the American trademark priority system often presents a unique challenge. Unlike the straightforward “first-to-file” systems common in many jurisdictions worldwide, the U.S. operates a hybrid approach that combines…
Read MoreThe Copyright Claims Board faces Challenges Three Years In
December 22, 2025
Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky The Copyright Claims Board (CCB) was created as a more accessible and affordable alternative to federal court for resolving small copyright disputes. Established by the CASE Act of 2020, it began operations in the summer…
Read MoreNavigating U.S. Patent Grace Periods: Essential Knowledge for International Patent Practitioners
December 10, 2025
Authored by: Joshua P. Astin As a foreign associate, you’ve likely encountered this scenario: your client excitedly shares news about presenting their breakthrough invention at a major conference, only to mention afterward that they haven’t filed any patent applications yet.…
Read MoreWho Is the Inventor When AI Is Involved? USPTO Issues New Guidance on AI-Assisted Inventions
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…
Read MoreThe Importance of Copyright Registration: Safeguard Your Creative Works
October 29, 2025
Why should you consider registering a copyright? The benefits for the copyright holder are significant. First and foremost, registering your work creates a public record of your copyright, notifying others of its existence and protecting your rights. Additionally, if you…
Read MoreProtect Your Brand: The Importance of Active Trademark Use
October 15, 2025
Having a federal trademark registration is a significant step in protecting your brand, but it doesn’t guarantee that you’re completely in the clear. While these registrations come with a variety of benefits and protections—particularly for the goods and services listed—it’s…
Read MoreUSPTO Panel Reverses §101 Rejection for AI Training Patent, Citing Real Technical Improvements
September 26, 2025
USPTO Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Appeals Review Panel has important implications for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning patents. The case involved U.S. Patent Application No. 16/319,040,…
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