Patent Claim Construction Gets a Reset in High-Tech TV Voice Command Dispute

RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc. v. Philip Morris Prods. S.A Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision from the United States Court of Appeals has shaken up a long-running patent dispute over voice-controlled television technology. Promptu Systems Corporation accused Comcast…

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Operating Manuals Can Be Prior Art: Federal Circuit Clarifies Public Accessibility Standard

Weber, Inc. v. Provisur Techs., Inc Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky In a significant decision for patent law, the Federal Circuit has clarified when company operating manuals can count as “printed publications” that qualify as prior art against patents. The…

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When Are Patent Claim Inputs Truly “Distinct”? Court Clarifies in Smart Thermostat Patent Dispute

Google LLC v. Ecofactor, Inc Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision involving Google LLC and EcoFactor, Inc. sheds light on how patent claims should be interpreted, especially when it comes to whether listed inputs in a method claim…

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When Are Patent Claim Inputs Truly “Distinct”? Court Clarifies in Smart Thermostat Patent Dispute

Google LLC v. Ecofactor, Inc Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision involving Google LLC and EcoFactor, Inc. sheds light on how patent claims should be interpreted, especially when it comes to whether listed inputs in a method claim…

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Patent Board Can Allow New Arguments on Amended Claims, Even from Joined Parties

CyWee Grp. Ltd. v. ZTE (USA), Inc Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision highlights how the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) handles motions to amend patent claims during inter partes review (IPR) proceedings, especially when new…

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Court Clarifies What It Means to “Identify a Single Biomolecule” in Patent Claims

Pac. Biosciences of Cal., Inc. v. Pers. Genomics Taiwan, Inc Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision from the Federal Circuit has provided important guidance on what it means for a patented device to be “capable of identifying a…

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Pink Hip Implants Lose Trademark Protection: Federal Circuit Says Color Is Functional

CeramTec GmbH v. CoorsTek Bioceramics LLC Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit affirmed the cancellation of CeramTec GmbH’s trademarks for the pink color used in its ceramic hip implant components. CeramTec, a manufacturer of…

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U.S. Patent Milestones

With intellectual property rights enshrined in the United States Constitution, the patent system is nearly as old as the nation itself. The U.S. government has granted millions of patents since Samuel Hopkins received the first patent in U.S. history on…

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Patent Income Tax Exemption for Taxpayers in Indiana

Did you know, the State of Indiana offers tax exemptions for income derived from qualified patents and earned by a taxpayer domiciled in Indiana? For more information, see Indiana Economic Development Corp

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IP Gotchas: The Patent System

Many times Businesses form and thrive because of a revolutionary product like the smart phone, or because of a new service model like ride sharing. These products and services often include novel processes for solving old problems, or new and…

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Learn about Patents and Trademarks March 23 in Indianapolis

On March 23, 2017, there will be a free program at the Indianapolis Public Library (Central Library) on the Gender Gap in Patents followed by an educational training session to learn the basics about patents and the trademarks and what…

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USPTO Provides Statistics on Petition Pendency

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has launched a new website—the USPTO Patents Petitions Timeline. The new website provides the average pendency and success rates (over the past 12 months) for each type of petition that can be filed…

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