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Use of Dictionaries to Construe Patent Claims: Potential for Clarification from the Federal Circuit

James J. Elacqua, Andrew N. Thomases, & Keith P. Gray

The U.S. patent system grants patentees the right to exclude others from practicing a patented invention, which is defined by a patent's claims. As such, the patent statute requires that patent claims be clear and definite. The policy underlying this requirement is to ensure that competitors are provided with fair notice as to the scope of the claimed invention.

Newcomer's Trademark Rights Take Back Seat in Limited Area to Local Prior User

Judith L. Grubner

What happens when a large newcomer to a geographic region with a federal registration for its service mark encounters a smaller pre-existing business in that region with prior use of a similar mark for the same services? Enjoinable reverse infringement results, according to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. <i>Citizens Financial Group, Inc. v. Citizens National Bank of Evans City,<i> Case Nos. 03-2868 and 03-3175 (3d Cir. 2004).

Online: Web Site Advocates Health Care, Prescription Drug Access

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

The Community Catalyst created the Prescription Access Litigation Project ("PAL") in 2001 to use class action litigation and public education to end pharmaceutical price inflation. The Community Catalyst is a national advocacy organization that encourages consumer and community participation in the molding of our health system to ensure quality, affordable health care for everyone. Visit the Web site at <i>www.communitycatalyst.org.</i>

Case Notes

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Highlights of the latest product liability cases from around the country.

Today's Pharmaceutical Criminal Investigation Is Tomorrow's Product Liability Lawsuit

John Patrick Oroho, Howard J. Schwartz, & Elizabeth A. Brophy

In today's notoriously litigious atmosphere, a spark of governmental investigation can quickly ignite into product liability litigation. The events surrounding the recent $430 million Neurontin global agreement provide a notable example.

Features

Practice Tip: Web Site Hyperlinks as Adoptive Admissions

Stephen J. McConnell & Ronni E. Fuchs

Companies are increasingly communicating with consumers via the Internet. With the explosion of the Internet during the last decade, the company Web site has become one of the most comprehensive and convenient locations to obtain information on a product. As the number of people using the Web has increased, company Web sites have gone from bare-bone sites of basic corporate information to becoming the starting point in any search for information on a company and its products. The swell in the use of such Web sites has increased their importance as a corporate voice and as a resource for consumers. Should a company change its Web site if a governmental or private agency issues a report that presents findings relating to one of its products and a risk of personal injury?

Features

Discoverability of Attorney Work Product Communications Supplied to Experts

Beth L. Kaufman & David Black

Federal courts are split on the issue of whether a party must produce all communications and materials that were supplied by the party's attorney to a testifying expert, even if these communications (oral or written) would otherwise be protected as attorney work product. This two-part article will discuss and compare the majority and minority views.

Features

Working At Home, And At Play

Stanley P. Jaskiewicz

Constant connectivity creates pressure to work around-the-clock, wherever you may be. After all, the Net is always on ' and open for business.<br>However, as the traditional office becomes less important ' because technology lets work shift location with the workers ' will the legal rules for the workplace also follow?

Avoiding The Top 10 Legal Difficulties Facing Home-based e-Commerce Ventures

Jonathan Bick

With the Internet being everywhere, it's no surprise that it penetrates every aspect of a home-based e-commerce venture, along with Internet law, which has developed in lock step with the Internet. <br>And as more people chagrined by the fickle economy turn to their own residential Internet connections as conduits for electronic business, these entrepreneurs find themselves exposed to legal difficulties previously reserved for large traditional businesses. <br>To succeed, this new generation ' and older commercial operations that have adapted to the Information Age ' must know about Internet law, as do counsel who advise them.

Features

e-Commerce Docket Sheet

Julian S. Millstein, Edward A. Pisacreta & Jeffrey D. Neuburger

Recent cases of interest in e-commerce law.

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