Insights

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Protecting Common Words or Phrases as Trademarks

Many people seem to think that they can get “first dibs” on a common word or phrase by filing a trademark – and then sell the mark for a lot of money. But it’s a lot more complicated than that. First of all, it’s perfectly OK to use a commo… Read More
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Categories: Trademarks
The FinTech Patent Landscape

The FinTech Patent Landscape

In this recent blog, we talked about the boom in blockchain-related patents, especially in China. But blockchain – and its most famous application, cryptocurrency (including Bitcoin) – isn’t the only area of financial innovation these days. Acc… Read More
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Categories: Patents
Ericsson's Legal Fight with Samsung Intensifies

Ericsson's Legal Fight with Samsung Intensifies

The licensing and royalty disputes between Samsung Electronics Co. and Ericsson Inc. have turned into a major legal fight across several jurisdictions. Each side has taken action in its bid to gain the upper hand. Analysts believe that this will even… Read More
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Categories: Litigation, Patents
shrimp

Patent Office Issues Guidance on Indefiniteness

In January, the US Patent Office (USPTO) issued binding guidance that aligns the approach taken by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) with the approach of the federal courts on the issue of indefiniteness. 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) provides: The [pat… Read More
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Categories: Patents
Life Sciences IP Trends for 2021

Life Sciences IP Trends for 2021

Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars annually in acquisitions, collaborations, and IP licensing agreements. These agreements lead to more innovations in terms of therapies and technologies to treat various illnesses an… Read More
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Categories: Licensing, Patents
stop piracy keyboard

New Copyright Laws Create Small Claims Court, Regulate Streaming

The 5,500-page COVID-19 stimulus relief and government-funding bill signed into law in December included several copyright provisions that had nothing to do with the pandemic. Small Claims The Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act (… Read More
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Categories: Copyright
3d Printing

3D Printing Implications on Existing IP Laws

Current advancements in 3D printing make it possible to duplicate almost any object, with or without authorization from rights holders. This can have legal consequences in light of the intellectual property (IP) protection granted to original works.… Read More
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Categories: Copyright, Patents
US China

US Patent Office Reports on How Chinese Government Supports IP Registration Fraud

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a new report on how Chinese government subsidies and other non-market factors may be influencing the high rate of Chinese patent and trademark filings in the United States. As the repor… Read More
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Categories: Patents
Blockchain

Rapid Rise in Blockchain Patent Filings in China

Research in blockchain technology continues to expand with Chinese companies dominating the number of patents filed for applications in 2020. Blockchain technology has been used in financial technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), digital property,… Read More
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Categories: Patents
section 230

Understanding the Controversy over Section 230

Most people probably hadn’t even heard of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act until recently. It’s been in the news because, as The Verge reported, in December President Donald Trump vetoed an annual defense bill authorizing billions of… Read More
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Categories: Uncategorized