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

IPWatchdog – a patents and patent law blog – IPwatchdog.com

  • In a post on November 2, 2017, Alec Schibanoff discussed the benefits of “open patent prosecution” which is essentially filing a continuing application to keep options open for contingencies to enhance patent portfolio value. (Details here.) 
  • On November 3, 2017, Joseph Robinson and Robert Schaffer described how Mastermine Software, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp., No. 2016-2465, 2017 U.S. App. LEXIS 21479 (Fed. Cir., Oct. 30, 2017) (PDF here) clarified the standard for indefiniteness for mixed subject matter claims. (Details here.)
  • James Yang gave a detailed explanation on November 7, 2017 of how the Broadest Reasonable Interpretation (BRI) standard increases the likelihood of having claims declared obvious, in light of Owens Corning v. Fast Felt Corporation., No. 2016-2613 (Fed. Cir., Oct. 11, 2017) (PDF here.) (Details here.)
  • Steve Brachman announced on November 8, 2017, that on October 23, 2017, an appellate court affirmed an invalidity holding after 65 earlier failed tries to invalidate a patent. The case is Uniloc USA, Inc. v. Sega of America, Inc., No. 2016-2000 (Fed. Cir., Oct. 23, 2017). (PDF here.) (Details here.)
  • On November 10, 2017, Joseph Robinson and Robert Schaffer provided advice on avoiding Alice rejections as to patent claim eligibility in light of the November 1, 2017, case, Two-Way Media Ltd. v. Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, No. 2016-2531, 2016-2532, 2017 U.S. App. LEXIS 21706 (Fed. Cir., Nov. 1, 2017) . (PDF here.) (Details here.)

Wegner’s Writings – Hal Wegner’s blog – a lot of great stuff – www.laipla.net/news-blog/blog.

  • On October 31, 2017, Hal presented his paper, “Post Grant Patent Challenges Procedures under Fire at the Supreme Court” (PDF here) , which provides patent drafting tips and discusses challenges in the anticipated wake of a merits decision in the currently pending Oil States Energy Services case scheduled to be argued at the Supreme Court on November 27, 2017 on the question, “Whether inter partes review violated the Constitution by extinguishing private property rights through a non-Article III forum without a jury.” (Details here).

Patent Docs – A patent blog – patentdocs.typepad.com/patent_docs

  • In the November 7, 2017 post, Josh Rich discusses the USPTO issuing its Final Rule regarding Patent Agent Privilege. (Details here.).

USPTO – the PTO’s website – uspto.gov

  • On November 3, 2017, the USPTO posted a press release 17-03 (Details here.) launching a two-year Diversion Pilot Program. The program will be administered by the Office of Enrollment and Discipline for patent and trademark practitioners engaged in minor misconduct to avoid formal discipline. The idea is for this to be a remedial program for substance abuse issues or law practice management issues. More information about the Diversion Pilot Program is available. (PDF here.)

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

  • AIPLA will hold its 2018 Annual Meeting October 25-27, 2018 in Washington, D.C. More information on this meeting, and other events, is available HERE.

Miscellaneous

  • The Chisum Patent Academy holds upcoming patent law seminars in Houston, Texas on March 5-6, 2018 and Cincinnati, Ohio on March 8-9, 2018. There will be a Seattle, Washington seminar in the fall of 2018. There are a possible 18 CLE credits for these seminars. Each seminar is limited to ten attendees. More info here.