News & Updates
Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Bilski v. Kappos
November 10, 2009
Monday the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the highly anticipated Bilski v. Kappos case. The Court’s decision in this case, which is expected by the spring of 2010, will shape what types of technology is and is not…
Read MoreICANN Set to Expand Domain Name Space
November 4, 2009
ICANN (the body responsible for regulating domain names) is planning to expand the domain name system to better reach an international audience. Domain names consisting of non-latin characters are currently set to be launched on November 16, 2009. These characters…
Read MoreThailand Becomes the 142nd PCT Member
October 27, 2009
On September 24, 2009, Thailand (TH) became the 142nd Contracting State of the PCT. Thailand will become bound by the PCT on December 24, 2009, and all PCT applications filed on or after December 24 will automatically designate Thailand.
Read MoreNew Patent Search Tool
October 21, 2009
A new patent search tool offered by WIPO is available here. The tool includes about 1.6 million PCT applications as well as the patent collections of ARIPO, Cuba, Israel, Mexico, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa and Vietnam. Additional collections will be added in…
Read MoreUSPTO Rescinds Controversial Claiming and Continuations Rules
October 9, 2009
The USPTO announced today that it will officially rescind its controversial claiming and continuations rules package next week. The restrictive rules package sought to impose extensive limits on the way applicants could claim their inventions and on the number of…
Read MorePatent Office Extends First Action Interview Pilot Program Into New Art Units
October 7, 2009
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced yesterday that it is expanding its initial First Action Interview Pilot Program. This program entitles an applicant to an interview with the patent examiner assigned to their case prior to the issuance…
Read MoreThe Patent Office and Examiner’s Union Propose Changes to the Examiner Count System Which May Dramatically Affect How Patent Applications Are Processed
October 1, 2009
The US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), via a press release on its web site, has announced that the USPTO Joint Labor-Management Task Force has issued a joint proposal for amending the Examiner Count System. The task force comprised senior…
Read MoreWoodard, Emhardt Partner Speaks at Indiana Law Update 2009 CLE
September 25, 2009
Managing partner Thomas Q. Henry was an intellectual property law presenter at the Indiana Law Update 2009 CLE sponsored by the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum on September 22, 2009. Mr. Henry presented on recent updates and developments in IP…
Read MoreU.S. Supreme Court Grants Review in Business Methods Case
September 9, 2009
The Supreme Court has agreed to review the Federal Circuit’s decision in In Re Bilski. This will be the first time the Supreme Court has weighed in on patent eligibility under §101 in more than 25 years. The Supreme Court…
Read MoreChallenge to the USPTO’s Proposed Patent Rules Continues
September 9, 2009
In July, the Federal Circuit granted rehearing en banc in Tafas v. Doll regarding the USPTO’s power to implement new rules on restrictions for continuations and claim limitations. The original appeal was taken from a summary judgment decision in favor…
Read MorePiracy: From Swords and Cannons to a Mouse and Keyboard
September 9, 2009
How would you like to drive a Ferrari, wear the latest Gucci shoes, or perhaps own an expensive Rolex watch? Conversely, how would you like to see copies of your own products being sold online by someone else, for a…
Read MoreHigher Standard to Prove Fraud on the Trademark Office
September 9, 2009
The Federal Circuit recently reversed a decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) involving fraud on the Trademark Office. The TTAB had ruled that the registrant committed fraud in renewing its trademark registration by maintaining goods in the…
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