This column highlights some of the more notable recent internet notices, newsletters and blogs dealing with IP prosecution issues.
Patently-O – a blog written by Dennis Crouch – www.patentlyo.com.

  • In the March 2, 2016 post, Jason Rantanen discussed recent data indicating that the Federal Circuit now processes more appeals from the USPTO than the District Courts.
    Details here.
  • On March 7, 2016, Professor Crouch discussed the data released by the USPTO in its annual report (PDF here) Professor Crouch presented a chart of first action pendency (time from filing date to first office action mailing) from 2011-2015 and projections for 2016-2017. The trend shows a year-over-year decline. Details here.
  • In another March 7, 2016 post, Professor Crouch explained a Federal Circuit ruling, In re Queens University, 2015-145 (Fed. Cir., March 7, 2016) (PDF here) ), in which the court recognized a patent agent privilege Details here.

IP Law Blog – a blog providing counsel a forum to discuss IP strategies theiplawblog.com.

  • A February 19, 2016 post discusses the Federal Circuit opinion, Lexmark International, Inc. v. Impression Products, Inc., No. 14-1617 (Fed. Cir., Feb. 12, 2016) PDF herefinding that foreign sales do not exhaust patent rights. Read full post here

AIPLA – the profession’s national organization– AIPLA.org.

  • AIPLA will hold its Spring Meeting May 18-20, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information click here.

Miscellaneous –

  • The Chisum Patent Academy holds an upcoming patent law seminar in Seattle, Washington on August 4-5, 2016 and August 8-9, 2016 (two identical seminars). There will be two seminars in Washington, D.C. on September 29-30 and October 3-4, 2016 respectively (two identical seminars). There are a possible 18 CLE credits for these seminars. Each seminar is limited to ten attendees. More info here.

For more information about any of the patent topics mentioned consult Patent Application Practice. Trademark topics are discussed in Trademark Registration Practice. Both are published by West and updated twice a year. For litigation questions, contact Fred Douglas at 949/293-0442 or by email at fdouglas@cox.net.