IP News
June 01, 2025
In a recent decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit addressed application and analysis of the fair use doctrine under copyright law, and reversed the district court’s finding of fair use. In an unusual situation, the lower court had dismissed the complaint sua sponte, although the defendant’s time to respond to the complaint had expired.
The Curious Persistence of the Six-Factor Trade Secret Test, Part 2
May 31, 2025
This two-part article discusses the requirements for information to be considered a trade secret under U.S. law, focusing on courts’ continued use of the six-factor test outlined in the Restatement of Torts. Part One covered the evolving tests for establishing a trade secret, while Part Two examines the compatibility of those tests and potential considerations for litigators and legislators.
Patent Policing: Federal Circuit Upholds District Courts’ Inherent Authority to Sanction Party Conduct
May 31, 2025
In recent decisions, the Federal Circuit affirmed the inherent powers of district courts to investigate and address potential party misconduct in patent litigations, including suspected fraud and bad faith conduct. This article delves into these key cases that upheld district courts’ policing by standing orders or sanctions and underscore the importance of transparency and proper conduct in patent litigation.
Swearing Behind: Overcoming Asserted Prior Art in PTAB Proceedings, Part 2
May 31, 2025
This two-part article discusses the various legal and evidentiary requirements for antedating and removing prior art that patent owners should consider when their pre-AIA patents are challenged based on a prior art publication or activity that is not otherwise subject to a statutory bar. Part One led off with a discussion of the legal requirements for antedating prior art by establishing an earlier invention via: 1) conception and diligent reduction to practice; and 2) actual reduction to practice. Part Two discusses the legal requirements for removing prior art that discloses an inventor’s own work and the evidentiary requirements for swearing behind prior art.
The Curious Persistence of the Six-Factor Trade Secret Test
April 30, 2025
This two-part article discusses the proof required for information to be considered a trade secret under U.S. statutory law, and includes detailed insight into the six-factor test outlined in the Restatement of Torts. Part One includes the evolving tests for determining a trade secret.
Beyond the Logo: How AI Complicates Trademark Protection In the Digital Age
April 30, 2025
Today, building brands solely on the promise of a different product or service has become unsustainable. Any “new and improved” feature or benefit is quickly eclipsed by competitors. Consequently, brands signal category superiority not through rational claims, but by reinforcing a distinct persona — a “ness” comprised of distinguishing traits and behaviors that form an ownable brand essence difficult for competitors to replicate.
Swearing Behind: Overcoming Asserted Prior Art in PTAB Proceedings
April 30, 2025
Part One of a Two-Part ArticleThis two-part article discusses the various legal and evidentiary requirements for antedating and removing prior art that patent owners should consider when their pre-AIA patents are challenged based on a prior art publication or activity that is not otherwise subject to a statutory bar. It also addresses considerations for petitioners to consider when developing their initial and ongoing invalidity strategies. Part One leads off with a discussion of the evidentiary requirements for proving earlier invention, conception and diligence and actual reduction in practice.
Patent Strategy Tips from Fed. Circ. 'Kroy v. Groupon' Ruling on Collateral Estoppel
April 30, 2025
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently addressed the usage of the doctrine of collateral estoppel in patent infringement cases. Specifically, the court considered whether a finding of invalidity of claims by the PTAB at an inter partes review could be used to estop a patent holder from asserting patent infringement of different claims of the same patent in district court litigation.