In re Riggs Clarifies Who Gets the Benefit of a Provisional Patent’s Filing Date

In re Riggs Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky The Federal Circuit recently decided In re Riggs which sheds new light on when a published patent application can use the filing date of its earlier provisional application to qualify as prior…

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Jepson Claims Face Higher Written Description Bar in In re Xencor, Inc.

In re Xencor, Inc Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit affirmed the rejection of Xencor, Inc.’s patent application (U.S. Patent Application No. 16/803,690) for failing to provide an adequate written description, particularly focusing on…

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Patent Board Affirms Rejection of DeepMind’s Machine Learning Patent Application, Citing Obviousness and Lack of Patent-Eligible Subject Matter

USPTO Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) highlights the challenges of patenting advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning. In the appeal concerning U.S. Patent Application No. 16/319,040, filed by…

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Patent Office Can Continue Reexams Even After IPRs and Patent Expiration, Court Says

In re Gesture Tech. Partners, LLC Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision has clarified how patent challenges can proceed even after multiple rounds of review and the expiration of the patent itself. Gesture Technology Partners, LLC found itself…

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Published Patent Applications Can Be Used as Prior Art in IPRs—Even Before They’re Public

Lynk Labs, Inc. v. Samsung Elecs. Co Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit clarified a key question for patent law: Can a published patent application be used as prior art in an inter partes…

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Federal Circuit Denies Dismissal Request After Issuing Opinion in Cisco v. K.Mizra

Cisco Sys., Inc. v. K.Mizra LLC Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit clarified what happens when parties try to dismiss an appeal after the court has already issued its opinion. The case involved Cisco…

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Invention-Con 2024: Expanding your intellectual property potential

The USPTO’s inventors conference will take place August 16-17 in-person and virtually. This free, flagship conference is tailored for the independent inventor and entrepreneur community. Learn how accomplished innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and business owners use IP to achieve success, discover…

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Patent Office Estoppel Rule Survives Challenge, But Its Reach Is Limited

SoftView LLC v. Apple Inc Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision from the Federal Circuit clarified how far the Patent Office can go in preventing patent owners from reclaiming lost ground after losing claims in an inter partes…

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Patent Time Limits: When Amending Claims Can Cost You the Patent

Speck v. Bates Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent Federal Circuit decision highlights the importance of timing and claim amendments in patent interference proceedings. The dispute centered on a drug-coated balloon catheter, with Ulrich Speck and Bruno Scheller challenging…

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Federal Circuit Overhauls Design Patent Obviousness Test, Making It Easier to Challenge Patents

LKQ Corp. v. GM Glob. Tech. Operations LLC Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky In a major shift for design patent law, the Federal Circuit has thrown out the long-standing Rosen-Durling test, which made it difficult to challenge the validity of…

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USPTO’s Domicile Address Rule for Trademark Applicants Upheld

In re Chestek PLLC Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision has clarified that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) can require all trademark applicants to provide their actual domicile address—not just a mailing address or P.O. box—when…

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2024 Black Innovation and Entrepreneurship program

On Thursday, February 22nd, the USPTO is hosting the 2024 Black Innovation and Entrepreneurship program, “Innovate, Elevate, and Empower: Connecting the entrepreneur to the innovation ecosystem.” Special guests and expert panelists will discuss resources and services that can help you…

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