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 September 11, 2013, Hal’s email newsletter discussed the opinion in High Point Design LLC v. Buyers Direct, Inc., __ F.3d __ (Fed. Cir. 2013)(Schall,J.), as part of a reversal of a summary judgment of invalidity, wherein the court provided a review of case law on design patent nonobviousness.
  • On September 20, 2013, Hal discussed opposition to the “Covered Business Methods” legislation.
  • In September 27, 2013’s email, there was attached the FTC’s Federal register publication called, “Patent Assertion Entities.” Did someone say, “trolls”?

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

  • The September 24, 2013 guest post explains the impact of the First-to-File system on premature disclosures of inventions via social media.
  • An August 29, 2013 blog explains the implications from the America Invents Act for patenting tax strategies and human organisms.

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

  • The September 17, 2013 post discussed the USPTO’s expansion and extension of the Patent Prosecution Highway Programs.
  • The September 30, 2013 blog discusses the Rambus v. Rea (Fed. Cir. 2013) case, specifically regarding due process before the USPTO and non-obviousness.

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

  • In the September 20, 2013 post, Jason Rantanen presented data on trends involving claims of inequitable conduct.
  • On September 26, 2013, Professor Crouch detailed the various provisions in draft legislation to amend the America Invents Act.1
  • Professor Crouch asked “What is an Exceptional Case such that Court Should Award bAttorney Fees” in his October 3, 2013 post.

USPTO – the PTO’s website – uspto.gov

  • A September 10, 2013 press release (Press Release 13-26) announced the 18th Independent Inventor Conference on October 11-12, 2013 in Alexandria, Virginia.
  • The October 1, 2013 press release (Press Release 13-27) announced that on October 30,2013 the U.S. Department of Commerce will host a meeting seeking comments on the recent “Copyright Policy, Creativity, and Innovation in the Digital Economy” report.

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

Miscellaneous –

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.