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

Hal Wegner’s email newsletter – a lot of great stuff – Contact: hwegner@foley.com.
Hal’s blog is also available at www.laipla.net/news-blog/blog.

  • On March 17, 2014 Hal reminded lawyers to check their email inbox for an  offer from Who’s Who Legal to print a 750-word biography, plus twenty copies, for the sum of only $12,000. It is optional whether you want to let your clients know that you have enough money to accept that offer.
  • On March 18, 2014 Hal discussed Alcon Research Ltd. v. Barr Labs. Inc., __F.3d __ (Fed. Cir. 2014)(Lourie, J.) which reaffirmed guidance on standards for 35 U.S.C. § 112(a) enablement and written description.

Grays on Claims, a claim construction and patent law blog by Justin E. Gray – www. grayonclaims.com

  • On March 6, 2014 Justin Gray posted two haikus summarizing Lighting Ballast v. Universal Lighting Technologies.

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

  • A March 27, 2014 post explains the differences among ownership, authorship, and inventorship for patent applications, in light of StoneEagle Services v. Gillman and Nextpay, 2013-1248 (Fed. Cir., March 26, 2014).
  • On April 2, 2014 Professor Megan La Belle offered a guest post on patent infringement demand letters, declaratory judgment actions, and personal jurisdiction.

Spicy IP – An IP blog focusing on India – spicyipindia.blogspot.com/ 

  • On March 17, 2014 a guest post by Chris Ohly discussed heightened pleading standards for US patent cases based on recent case law.

USPTO – the PTO’s website – uspto.gov

  • Press Release 14-07 on March 26, 2014 announced the issuance of the 700,000th design patent.
  • The March 26, 2014 Press Release 14-08 announced the June 2, 2014 launch of the new glossary pilot program to promote clarity for software-related patent applications.  Participation in the program requires an applicant to provide a glossary section in the
    specification to define terms used in the claims. In exchange for providing the glossary, the applicant gets expedited processing, placement in the examiner’s special docket, and special status until you get a first office action.
  • In the March 18, 2014 Official Gazette the Patent Office announced public hearings and an extension of the comment period on the proposed changes to require identification  of the attributable owner for patent application. The comment deadline is now April 24, 2014.

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

  • AIPLA’s Spring Meeting happens May 15-17, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Miscellaneous –

  • Annual Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association’s (LAIPLA) annual spring seminar is June 6-8, 2014 at Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. Info at http://www.laipla.net/event/spring-seminar-2014.
  • The Chisum Patent Academy holds upcoming patent law seminars on August 13-15, 2014 (Seattle, Washington); and August 18-20, 2014 (Seattle, Washington). There are a  possible 18 CLE credits for these seminars. The Cincinnati seminar will include active  inducement, method and system claims, joint infringement, injunctive relief, patent malpractice, and more. More info at http://www.chisum-patent-academy.com/.

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.