Intellectual Property

  • April 29, 2025

    Boston Seafood Co. Says Salmon Exec Stole Trade Secrets

    A former C-suite executive and head of salmon accounts at a Boston-area seafood distributor spent months emailing sensitive trade secrets from his work account to a Norwegian competitor before joining it to launch a rival business in the U.S., according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday. 

  • April 29, 2025

    Judge Tosses Chalmers' NIL Suit, Hands NCAA Major Victory

    In a significant win for the NCAA against a wave of college athletes suing for past name, image and likeness compensation as a multibillion-dollar settlement awaits approval, a New York federal judge dismissed a proposed class action by 16 former men's basketball players accusing the NCAA of exploiting them long after their careers ended.

  • April 29, 2025

    US Biotech Firm To Quit London Listing After IP Deal

    Biotechnology company LungLife said Tuesday that it has convened a shareholder meeting to approve plans to delist from the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange after it reached a deal to sell its intellectual property assets.

  • April 28, 2025

    Ramey IP Attys Pay Sanctions, But Defend Fed. Circ. Appeal

    Texas intellectual property lawyer Bill Ramey and two other attorneys informed a California federal court Monday that they have made payments toward fines totaling $64,000 and alerted disciplinary bodies that they were sanctioned, the same day they urged the Federal Circuit to keep alive their appeal of the sanctions.

  • April 28, 2025

    Stewart Wants PTAB To Check If Chip Co. Has Ties To Intel

    The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's acting director has ordered the Patent Trial and Appeal Board to allow discovery over a chipmaker's relationship with Intel Corp., which could block challenges targeting patents issued to a former Texas Instruments Inc. executive.

  • April 28, 2025

    SAIC, Feds, Microsoft Settle Night-Vision Goggle Patent Suit

    The federal government has reached a deal to end a suit from Science Applications International Corp. accusing the government of contracting with Microsoft and L3 Technologies Inc. for night-vision goggle weapon systems with infringing displays.

  • April 28, 2025

    USPTO Discovery In VLSI Row Unlawul, PQA Tells Fed. Circ.

    A company that was sanctioned for flouting discovery while challenging the validity of a VLSI Technology LLC patent underpinning a since-vacated $1.5 billion infringement verdict told the Federal Circuit on Friday that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office director lacked the authority to order that discovery.

  • April 28, 2025

    ITC Affirms Optimum's Network Patent Case Is Over

    The U.S. International Trade Commission has decided not to breathe any new life into Optimum Communications Services Inc.'s patent infringement case against several Chinese tech companies over network switching and routing patents, but it also cut part of an agency judge's findings on ownership of the patents.

  • April 28, 2025

    Chinese Cos. Lose Immunity Fight In 9th Circ. IP Case

    The Ninth Circuit on Monday shot down arguments from related Chinese steel companies that they shouldn't have to face espionage charges that they stole DuPont trade secrets for creating titanium dioxide, saying they aren't protected by foreign sovereign immunity.

  • April 28, 2025

    'Top Gun: Maverick' Writer's Cousin Says He Co-Piloted Script

    The cousin of a "Top Gun: Maverick" screenwriter has sued Paramount Pictures in New York federal court, alleging he penned many of the film's key scenes but never received any credit or compensation for his purported contribution to the 2022 blockbuster.

  • April 28, 2025

    PTAB Axes 3 Gaming Patents, Trims Another In Playrix Fight

    Administrative patent judges have agreed to wipe out three mobile video game software patents asserted against game developer Playrix but split on prior art arguments challenging two claims in a related fourth patent.

  • April 28, 2025

    Google Claims Row Delays Dormify's Ch. 11 IP Asset Sale

    A dispute over a $600,000 claim from Google led bankrupt dorm room furnishing retailer Dormify Inc. to delay approval of a sale of its intellectual property assets to Williams-Sonoma Inc. Monday to give the debtor time to resolve the conflict.

  • April 28, 2025

    NC Judge Says 'Natural Dog' TM Confusion Fight Needs A Trial

    A North Carolina federal judge denied a Tar Heel State pet store chain's bid for a pretrial win in a trademark infringement suit brought against it by Natural Dog Acquisitions LLC, ruling Monday that the case needs a jury trial to resolve certain questions of fact.

  • April 28, 2025

    Trump Must Face Copyright Claim Over Isaac Hayes Song Use

    A Georgia federal judge refused to free President Donald Trump from a copyright infringement claim levied against him over his election campaign's use of artist Isaac Hayes' song "Hold On, I'm Coming" at rallies.

  • April 28, 2025

    Casper Sleep Gets PTAB To Squash Cooling Pillow Patent

    The Patent Trial and Appeal Board has ruled that the claims in a patent for a cooling pillow were invalid, handing a win to e-commerce sleep product company Casper Sleep in its challenge.

  • April 28, 2025

    High Court Passes On Coke Sweetener Patent Case

    The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Texas chemical company's challenge to a Federal Circuit decision scratching claims in a patent on the process to create the artificial sweetener used in Coke Zero, in a case that addressed whether the secret usage of that process could preclude its patent eligibility. 

  • April 28, 2025

    High Court Declines Review Of 'Server Test' In Copyright Suit

    The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a challenge to the Ninth Circuit's criteria for determining copyright liability when photos are embedded online, denying a photographer's appeal in a case where he is suing Canadian media company Valnet Inc.

  • April 25, 2025

    Ramey Loses Last-Minute Attempts To Avoid Sanctions

    Texas attorney Bill Ramey and two others will have to pay more than $64,000 and alert disciplinary bodies that they have been sanctioned by Saturday, after a California federal court and the U.S. Supreme Court refused a last-minute stay on the sanctions.

  • April 25, 2025

    Thomson Reuters Tells 3rd Circ. AI Fair Use Appeal Is Too Early

    Thomson Reuters on Thursday urged the Third Circuit to reject tech startup Ross Intelligence's bid for a quick appeal focusing on two key questions from a trial court decision concluding it infringed the Westlaw platform to create an artificial intelligence-backed competing legal research tool.

  • April 25, 2025

    Samsung Presses For New Trial After $192M EDTX Verdict

    Samsung is asking a Texas federal court for a new trial in its latest bid to escape a $192 million jury verdict owed to a small Silicon Valley outfit that asserted a handful of wireless charger patents against the tech giant.

  • April 25, 2025

    Photo Studio Urges Justices To Reject 'Discovery Rule' Appeal

    A photography studio urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to reject an appeal asking for review of the so-called discovery rule, a judicially created doctrine that allows copyright claims outside the statute of limitations, arguing that the justices already rejected a similar petition last term.

  • April 25, 2025

    'Yellowjackets' Makers Swat Away Suit Alleging 'Eden' Copy

    The similarities between the TV show "Yellowjackets" and the 2015 film "Eden" are not substantial enough to support a copyright infringement claim, a California federal judge ruled Friday, tossing the filmmaker's suit against Showtime, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and the makers of the show.

  • April 25, 2025

    Patents Commissioner Hits Positive Note On Agency Reforms

    At an event to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day on Friday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's acting patent division leader acknowledged the changes underway at the agency under the Trump administration, but said one key metric is trending in the right direction: pending patent applications.

  • April 25, 2025

    7th Circ. Upholds Mixed Verdict Over Rolling Paper Ads

    The Seventh Circuit upheld all aspects of a mixed verdict in a dispute between two rolling paper companies, saying that manufacturer HBI International had not violated the Lanham Act but also leaving in place a nationwide injunction against some of the company's advertising practices.

  • April 25, 2025

    Mondelez Says Ghost Can't Use Sour Patch, Other Snack TMs

    Two Mondelez International subsidiaries have filed suit in Illinois to halt Ghost LLC's marketing of energy products that feature Sour Patch Kids, Oreo and certain other iconic snack brand trademarks, claiming Ghost's license to do so ended when Keurig Dr. Pepper began controlling the company.

Expert Analysis

  • An Unrestrained, Bright-Eyed View Of Legal AI's Future

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    Todd Itami at Covington offers a bright-eyed, laughing-all-the-way, skydive look at what the legal industry could look like after an artificial intelligence revolution, which he believes may happen much sooner and more dramatically than we expect.

  • Tracking The Evolution In Litigation Finance

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    Despite continued innovation, litigation finance remains an immature market with borrowers recieving significantly different terms as lenders learn to value cases, which firms need a strong handle on to ensure lending terms do not overwhelm collateral value, says Robert Wilkins at Lightfoot Franklin.

  • How Courts Weigh Section 1782 Discovery For UPC Cases

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    A look at cases from six different federal district courts reveals a number of discretionary factors that influence how courts consider Section 1782 discovery applications in connection with Unified Patent Court proceedings, say attorneys at Finnegan.

  • Series

    Volunteer Firefighting Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    While practicing corporate law and firefighting may appear incongruous, the latter benefits my legal career by reminding me of the importance of humility, perspective and education, says Nicholas Passaro at Ford.

  • Unpacking FTC's New Stance On Standard-Essential Patents

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    Under its new chairman, Andrew Ferguson, the Federal Trade Commission is likely to bring more stand-alone Section 5 cases to challenge anticompetitive conduct, and it will be important for companies to see how the FTC responds to allegations of patent holdup by standard-essential patent holders committed to fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms, say attorneys at Mayer Brown.

  • Unpacking USPTO Foreign Fraudulent Trademark Crackdown

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    The recent show cause order issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to Shenzhen Seller Growth Network Technology Co. Ltd. and its affiliates could lead to the cancellation of approximately 42,000 trademark registrations, highlighting the necessity of heightened vigilance in vetting foreign trademark filings, says Judy Yen at Omnus Law.

  • E-Discovery Quarterly: The Perils Of Digital Data Protocols

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    Though stipulated protocols governing the treatment of electronically stored information in litigation are meant to streamline discovery, recent disputes demonstrate that certain missteps in the process can lead to significant inefficiencies, say attorneys at Sidley.

  • Series

    Law School's Missed Lessons: Preparing For Corporate Work

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    Law school often doesn't cover the business strategy, financial fluency and negotiation skills needed for a successful corporate or transactional law practice, but there are practical ways to gain relevant experience and achieve the mindset shifts critical to a thriving career in this space, says Dakota Forsyth at Olshan Frome.

  • How Patent Prosecution Length Affects Infringement Findings

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    A statistical analysis of patent litigation shows an inverse correlation between the number of office actions a patent application receives before allowance and the likelihood that a patent will be found infringing, though this trend varies based on examiner toughness, say attorneys at Baker Botts.

  • Takeaways From Gov't Report On AI Copyrightability

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    A recent report from the U.S. Copyright Office is a critical step toward establishing a framework for determining the copyrightability of work created in whole or in part by artificial intelligence systems, solidifying the office's positions on AI tools and advanced prompt techniques, say attorneys at Skadden.

  • Strategies To Help Witnesses Manage Deposition Anxiety

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    During and leading up to deposition, witnesses may experience anxiety stemming from numerous sources and manifesting in a variety of ways, but attorneys can help them mitigate their stress using a few key methods, say consultants at Courtroom Sciences.

  • 3 Red Flags To Watch For When Valuing Patent Portfolios

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    As forward-looking intellectual property valuations become increasingly popular, recognizing potential concerns during the due diligence process can help develop a more accurate understanding of a portfolio's true value and potential risk, says Keegan Caldwell at Caldwell Law.

  • A Cold War-Era History Lesson On Due Process

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    The landmark Harry Bridges case from the mid-20th century Red Scare offers important insights on why lawyers must be free of government reprisal, no matter who their client is, says Peter Afrasiabi at One LLP.

  • Series

    Improv Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Improv keeps me grounded and connected to what matters most, including in my legal career where it has helped me to maintain a balance between being analytical, precise and professional, and creative, authentic and open-minded, says Justine Gottshall at InfoLawGroup.

  • How BigLaw Executive Orders May Affect Smaller Firms

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    Because of the types of cases they take on, solo practitioners, small law firms and public interest attorneys may find themselves more dramatically affected by the collective impact of recent government action involving the legal industry than even the BigLaw firms named in the executive orders, says Reuben Guttman at Guttman Buschner.

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