Patentability of Computer- Implemented Inventions
On June 19, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court issued another in a line of cases dealing with the issue of the patentability of software inventions. Based on this opinion, one thing remains clear: The issue is far from definitively decided.
Supreme Court Rules Against Aereo
In <i>ABC v. Aereo</i>, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Second Circuit's holding that Aereo did not directly infringe the copyright owners' public performance rights through the operation of the "Watch Now" function of its service.
Supreme Court Upholds Lanham Act Claim in Juice Wars
Pomegranate juice is the subject of an intense legal battle between POM Wonderful and Coca-Cola Co. In its Lanham Act challenge, POM alleges that Coke's juice product's name, label, marketing and advertising mislead consumers into thinking the product is mostly a pomegranate and blueberry juice when it in fact is mostly apple and grape juice.
S. Ct. Resolves 'Raging' Debate Over the Use of the Laches Defense
The Supreme Court in <i>Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.</i>, recently resolved a split amongst the circuit courts in a 6-3 decision, holding that the equitable doctrine of laches could not be invoked to preclude a claim for damages within the statute of limitations for copyright cases.
Supreme Court Mandates More Patent Claim Clarity
In <i>Nautilus, Inc. v. Biosig Instruments, Inc.</i>, a unanimous Supreme Court held that the test for patent claim definiteness in 35 U.S.C. '112, '2 (2006) "require[s] that a patent's claims, viewed in light of the specification and prosecution history, inform those skilled in the art about the scope of the invention with reasonable certainty."
IP News
Patent Co-Owners Cannot Be Involuntarily Joined as Parties <br>IPR Procedural Right to Appeal Does Not Grant Art. III Standing<br>Federal Circuit: <i>Suprema v. ITC</i> to Be Reheard <i>En Banc</i> by the Federal Circuit
Litigating Trade Secret Claims
Employees escape with valuable information every day, resulting in substantial, sometimes devastating losses to employers. Here's what employers need to know.
<i>Gilead Sciences, Inc. v. Natco Pharma Ltd. </i>
Upon issuance, can a later-issued (but earlier-expiring) patent qualify as a double patenting reference against an already issued (but later-expiring) commonly owned patent of the same inventor? In Gilead Sciences, the Federal Circuit held that it could.
