The Supreme Court’s decision in Alice v. CLS Bank International has created uncertainty for computer-related invention patents unlike any other decision in recent memory. Proposals are emerging for amending the statute governing patent subject matter eligibility (35 U.S.C. § 101) to prevent Alice from causing further damage. Meanwhile, the Court of Appeals for the [...]
The International IP Commercialization Council (IIPCC) held an event entitled Promoting Innovation, Investment and Job Growth by Fixing America’s Patent System. The event, held in the basement of the U.S. Capitol, featured many speakers and panelists who discussed various issues with the current state of the U.S. patent system and how those issues were [...]
In an article published on April 23, 2017, Gene Quinn wrote about President Trump’s workforce reduction plan and his proposal for what it should mean for the United States Patent and Trademark Office. I agree with many of those proposals for reducing the size of the USPTO in accordance with the mandate set forth [...]
According to Wikipedia, Lady Justice has been depicted with a blindfold since at least the 16th century, with the blindfold representing impartiality. When impartiality of the system, or the judges who are charged with administering the system, is questioned, it is a very big deal. That is why the Code of Conduct applicable to [...]
The Federal Circuit’s panel decision in Achates Reference Publ’g, Inc. v. Apple Inc. held that PTAB decisions to institute IPR are unreviewable even where the § 315(b) time bar may have been violated. The en banc question here is whether to overrule Achates. The USPTO’s interest in the case was clear from the large [...]
Derivatives giant CME has developed a system for delivering digital currencies tied to derivative contracts, patent documents show. The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published CME's application on 4th May, entitled "System for Physically Delivering Virtual Currencies". At its heart, the concept envisions delivering cryptocurrency holdings tied to a particular contract without the [...]
