This column highlights some of the more notable recent online notices, newsletters, and blogs dealing with IP prosecution issues.

IPWatchdog – a patent law blog – IPwatchdog.com

  • On August 30, 2019, a post discussed the Federal Circuit opinion relating to the written description requirement, Nalpropion Pharms., Inc. v. Actavis Labs. FL, Inc., No. 2018-1221, 2019 U.S. App. LEXIS 24281 (Fed. Cir., Aug. 15, 2019) (PDF here.). The opinion held that a “substantially equivalent” disclosure in a specification may satisfy the written description requirement if the equivalence applies only to nonlimiting parameters rather than to operative claim steps. (Details here.). 

Patently-O – a blog written by Dennis Crouch – www.patentlyo.com.

  • In his August 25, 2019 post, Professor Dennis Crouch mentions that the USPTO plans to increase several fees. Of significant interest to you is a new annual active patent practitioner fee of $340. If you have certification of continuing legal education, then the fee is $240. If you are going to be inactive, you still have to pay $70 annually The Federal Register notice, 84 F.R. 37398, is HERE.  (Details here.).

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

  • AIPLA will hold its 2019 Annual Meeting October 24-26, 2019 in Washington, D.C. More information on this meeting and other events are available 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 patent prosecution or litigation questions, contact Fred Douglas at 949/293-0442 or by email at fdouglas@cox.net.