Supreme Court Holds that a Patent of the Process of Administering a Drug is Invalid

Recently in the case of Mayo Collaborative Services v Prometheus Laboratories, Inc., the Supreme Court of the United States found two patents invalid because they claimed subject matter that was not patentable.  The patents in this case covered processes that help doctors who use thiopurine drugs to treat patients with autoimmune diseases determine whether a given dosage was too high or too low. Read More ›

Categories: Patents

Part 3 - U.S. Patent Reform: False Marking Claims

This is the third and final post in a series (Part 1: First-to-File; Part 2: Post Grant Review Proceedings) summarizing the most significant changes created by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (the "Act").  As you know, the Act was signed into law on September 16th.  Although hyped as a major change in the U.S. Patents system, the Act does not affect many of the fundamental tenants of U.S. Patent law.

This blog post focuses on: (1) new limitations on false marking claims, and (2) USPTO funding and fees. Read More ›

Categories: Intellectual Property, Patents

Part 2 - U.S. Patent Reform: Post Grant Review Proceedings

As noted in my previous post (Part 1: U.S. Patent Reform: First-to-File), the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act has been signed into law.  The America Invents Act has been sold as "the biggest change in the U.S. Patents System since the 1950s."  The hype, however, is far from reality – as the Act does not affect many of the fundamental tenants of U.S. Patent law. 

This is the second of multiple blog posts that will summarize the most significant changes created by the America Invents Act.  My previous blog post addressed the adoption of a "First-to-File" system.  Today, I will discuss "Post Grant Review Proceedings." Read More ›

Categories: Intellectual Property, Patents

Part 1 - U.S. Patent Reform: First-to-File

On September 16th, President Barack Obama signed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act into law.  The America Invents Act has been sold as "the biggest change in the U.S. Patents System since the 1950s."  However, the Act does not affect many of the fundamental tenants of U.S. Patent law and in fact is significantly modified from the bill that originally was proposed. 

This is the first of several blog posts that will summarize the most significant changes created by the America Invents Act. Read More ›

Categories: Intellectual Property, Patents

Patent Reform Bill Passes House

The America Invents Act recently passed the US House of Representatives by a vote of 304-117.  A similar bill was approved 95-5 in the Senate in March.  President Obama has pledged that he would sign a patent reform bill once it reaches his desk.  Therefore, it appears that it is only a matter of time before it is sent to the President to be signed into law. Read More ›

Categories: Intellectual Property, Patents, Trademarks

Buying Registered Trademarks as Google Adwords?

Have you ever taken the time to Google your company name?

It might be worth your time. If you find that your competitors are more prominently displayed in the tan sponsored link box or along the right side of the search page, you may be able to stop these companies from purchasing your company's trademarks as Google Adwords. Read More ›

Categories: Intellectual Property, Trademarks