Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%
Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
Trends In Patent Policy and Enforcement
On Oct. 9, 2025, the newly appointed director of the Patent Office made a remarkable statement to the United States Senate. Director John Squires stated that patents are far more than economic instruments or property rights. Rather, he proclaimed, patents “are instruments of national defense.” See, Squires, J., “The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act – Restoring Clarify, Certainty, and Predictability to the U.S. Patent System” (Oct. 9, 2025). Director Squires proceeded to present an argument, steeped in references to the 9/11 attacks, that the government’s prior efforts to limit patent enforcement were contrary to the nation’s interest and jeopardized national security. Id.
Director Squires’ pro-patent sentiments appear common in the current administration. Indeed, there is a growing view at the highest levels of government that patent rights should be strengthened and patent litigation promoted. Several high-ranking officials in the Trump administration are quite familiar with monetizing intellectual property. Starting at the top, President Trump is well known for licensing his name and related trademarks. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick is a named inventor on hundreds of patents, which he has a history of enforcing through litigation. Before his role in the government, Director Squires was an attorney who regularly worked with litigation funders and patent owners. And, while he is not a member of the Trump administration, it has been reported that Donald Trump, Jr. now holds investments in no fewer than two patent assertion entities. See, Mueller, “Donald Trump Jr. owns 5% of patent monetizer Fintiv, his second patent investment to come to light this year (after SIM IP),” IP Fray (Aug. 15, 2025).
This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only
ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT LAW.
- Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
- Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
- Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts
Already a have an account? Sign In Now Log In Now
For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473
New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment
On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.
The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later
The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.
How AI Has Affected PR
When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.
Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar Investigations
This article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.