Blog
Pitfalls and Strategies to Avoid Charges of Inequitable Conduct
December 20, 2010
On November 30, 2010, Woodard, Emhardt attorney John Bradshaw was a featured speaker in a webinar entitled “Summary of Pitfalls and Strategies to Avoid Charges of Inequitable Conduct.” The webinar was part of the Practical Tips for Young Lawyers series…
Read MorePatent Office Publishes Proposed Revisions to Ex Parte Appeals Rules
December 6, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has published a notice containing proposed revisions to the rules governing ex parte appeals before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. The proposed rulemaking first rescinds the 2008 Final Rules, which…
Read MorePatent Office Releases Revised Strategic Plan
November 16, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has released a revised version of its 2010-2015 strategic plan. The revised plan lays out a number of goals and initiatives, with some revisions based on feedback received from the patent and…
Read MoreCould Your Business Benefit From a Federal Trademark Registration?
October 25, 2010
Trademarks are often the most valuable piece of a business’s intellectual property portfolio. For example, consider the marketing value of the marks Coca-Cola® and the Nike swoosh. The potential tremendous marketing value of trademarks combined with substantial legal benefits make obtaining a…
Read MorePatent Office Considers Program to Fast-Track Reexamination of Humanitarian Technologies
October 18, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking public comments through November 19, 2010, about a proposal to incentivize the creation and wider distribution of technologies that address humanitarian needs. Under the proposed pilot program, accelerated reexamination of a patent…
Read MoreTips for Mitigating Claims of Inequitable Conduct
September 21, 2010
Recent decisions by the Federal Circuit have affirmed findings of inequitable conduct based on a failure of the applicant to cite material references that were in the applicant’s possession and not cumulative of other previously-cited references. The result of the…
Read MoreUSPTO Begins Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program with Russian Patent Office (ROSPATENT)
September 7, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is participating in a one-year patent prosecution highway pilot program with the Russian Patent Office. The pilot program will last for one year beginning on September 1, 2010. Under the Patent Prosecution…
Read MoreUSPTO Provides Interim Guidance for Determining Patent Eligible Subject Matter in View of Bilski Decision
September 2, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has provided interim guidelines for determining subject matter eligibility under 35 U.S.C. §101 for process claims in view of the United States Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Bilski v. Kappos. The guidelines…
Read MoreUSPTO Funding Bill Becomes Public Law
August 16, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) was successful in its lobbying efforts to get an important funding bill (H.R. 5874) passed by Congress and signed by the President. The legislation allows the USPTO to increase its spending authority…
Read MoreIRAQ – Trademark Office Publishes the Trademarks which their Records Have Been Damaged During the War
July 22, 2010
The Iraq Trademark Office posted in its official website, the list of trademarks which files have been lost during the war. The first group of the missing trademark files includes the files of trademarks (1 -16090). Trademark Owners are required…
Read MorePatent Marking – Patent Owner Beware
July 12, 2010
How often have you noticed that a product bears a label of “patent pending” or “U.S. Patent No.”? But, what if that patent does not cover the product? Or maybe there is no “patent pending”? Well, anyone could have a…
Read MoreI Started Selling My Invention; Can I Still Get a Patent?
July 7, 2010
Clients often want to know if they can file a patent application after they started selling, offering for sale, or telling the public about their invention. In most circumstances, the answer is ‘yes’; however, it is not without some caveats.…
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