Patent and Trademark Office Introduces a Web Site for Receiving Public Feedback on Patent and Trademark Examination Procedures
January 20, 2011
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has instituted two on-line discussion tools that allow the public to provide input on ways to improve the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) and Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP). Only a…
Read MoreUSPTO Announces Plan For First Ever Satellite Patent Office In Detroit
January 11, 2011
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently announced its plan to open the first-ever USPTO satellite office in Detroit, Michigan. While the specific location and anticipated opening date will be announced in the coming months, the Detroit satellite…
Read MorePatent Office Gives Provisional Filers Extra 12 Months to Pay Certain Fees When Filing Non-Provisional Application
December 29, 2010
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently implemented the Extended Missing Parts Pilot Program (Pilot Program) which allows an applicant to request a 12-month time period to pay certain fees and to reply to a Notice to…
Read MorePitfalls 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 MoreCharlie Meyer Presents on Intellectual Property Issues at Rotary Club of Indianapolis Luncheon
December 8, 2010
Woodard, Emhardt partner Charlie Meyer was the featured speaker at the November 30th, 2010 meeting of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. Mr. Meyer’s presentation included a humorous and educational look at aspects of patent and trademark law, in addition to noting…
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 MoreIrreparable Harm in Preliminary Injunctions and Inevitable Disclosure
December 3, 2010
This presentation includes a discussion of the state of the law regarding preliminary injunctions in trademark infringement cases. It also examines similar issues with respect to trade secret infringement, particularly as they relate to the doctrine of inevitable disclosure. Click…
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 MoreWoodard, Emhardt Attorney to be Honored as a 50-Year Practitioner
November 1, 2010
Woodard, Emhardt attorney Joseph A. Naughton will be honored as a 50-year practitioner by the Indianapolis Bar Association (“IBA”). Mr. Naughton will be recognized by the IBA at a luncheon at noon on November 10, 2010, at the Conrad hotel…
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 MoreWoodard, Emhardt Attorney Teaching PubWEST Patent Searching Class At Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library’s Central Library
October 14, 2010
Patent searching is typically the first step in determining whether to pursue patent protection for an invention. Woodard, Emhardt patent attorney Chuck Schmal will present classes on October 15 and 22, 2010, covering techniques for conducting patent searches using the US Patent &…
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