Region-focused IP developments curated by the IIPLA newsroom, including policy shifts, litigation, brand disputes, patent activity, and enforcement updates.
Chinese entities are conducting a two-pronged campaign against U.S. intellectual property, exploiting AI technologies to misappropriate trade secrets from American tech companies and unauthorized use of copyrighted creative works. This escalating challenge underscores the need for a unified government strategy combini…
Latham & Watkins has announced the addition of Kieran Kieckhefer to its Bay Area Intellectual Property Litigation Practice. Kieckhefer, a seasoned trial lawyer with a strong background in patent, trade secrets, copyright, and technology litigation, enhances the firm’s capacity to handle complex disputes in sectors suc…
Choate Hall & Stewart LLP has expanded its Intellectual Property Litigation practice by hiring Marta Garcia, a seasoned litigator with a technical background in materials science and biomedical engineering. Garcia’s experience spans complex patent disputes, federal court trials, and post-grant proceedings before the U…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has designated three recent decisions as informative, each addressing critical issues in inter partes review (IPR) proceedings. These rulings clarify the Office’s stance on claim construction inconsistencies, petitioner conduct post-institution, and the appropriate use of…
In a significant precedential ruling, the USPTO Director articulated the discretionary framework guiding institution decisions for America Invents Act (AIA) reviews, including inter partes reviews (IPRs). The decision in Magnolia Medical Technologies, Inc. v. Kurin, Inc. emphasizes considerations such as public intere…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has revealed the panelists and schedule for the concluding event in its three-part PTAB spring listening series. Scheduled for Monday, May 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, the session will be held in the Clara Barton Auditorium at USPTO headquarters in Alexandria…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced a webinar scheduled for May 13, 2026, focusing on the Office of Enrollment and Discipline’s (OED) programs. The session will highlight the Diversion Program for those under disciplinary review, as well as the Law School Clinic and Patent Pro Bono programs…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has reinforced its efforts to combat fraud and misrepresentation in patent applications. Since the start of fiscal year 2025, the Patent Fraud Mitigation Unit has terminated more than 3,800 applications for violations involving unauthorized representatives. In Apri…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Western Regional Outreach Office, in partnership with the Licensing Executives Society–Silicon Valley Chapter, will present a virtual session focused on licensing products and concepts. Scheduled for May 13, the event is part of the "Successful Inventing" series designed…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is organizing a virtual panel titled "Licensing your IP: The Why, When and How to get started" on May 27. The session will explore the advantages of licensing intellectual property and provide guidance on when and how businesses can begin licensing their IP assets.…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Western Regional Outreach Office, in partnership with the Licensing Executives Society – Silicon Valley Chapter (LES-SVC), will present the next installment of the Successful Inventing 2026 virtual series on June 10. This session will focus on manufacturing and cov…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced the third and final session of its Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) spring listening series, titled “PTAB Administration and Reform.” Scheduled for May 18, 2026, from 3 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, the event will be held at the USPTO headquarters in Alexan…
The USPTO has released the Quarter 4, 2025 update of PatentsView, providing disambiguated U.S. patent data through December 31, 2025. Hosted now on the Open Data Portal’s Bulk Data Directory, this update improves reliability and accessibility for researchers and analysts utilizing patent datasets.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) urges trademark attorneys to proactively check their bar credentials listed in the trademark register. This practice aims to identify unauthorized use of attorney identities, particularly in filings involving foreign applicants who must retain U.S.-licensed counsel…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has reported significant reductions in trademark application processing times during the first half of fiscal year 2026. First action pendency dropped by 20% to 4.45 months, and total disposal pendency decreased to just over 10 months, despite a 7% increase in fili…
Since the first federal trademark registration in 1870, American brands have leveraged trademark protection to build consumer trust and distinguish themselves in competitive markets. This article chronicles the histories of landmark trademarks including Ford, Campbell’s, GE, Hershey’s, Tiffany & Co., and others, highl…
At the 2026 INTA Annual Meeting in London, USPTO Director John A. Squires delivered remarks emphasizing the foundational role of intellectual property protections in the American constitutional framework. He reflected on the longstanding partnership between the United States and the United Kingdom, commemorated Americ…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that beginning June 18, 2026, access to its Open Data Portal (ODP) will require users to register with a USPTO.gov account. This change is part of a broader initiative to strengthen protections around publicly available federal data and to reduce unregist…
As the United States marks 250 years of independence, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) commemorates the nation’s inventive spirit by showcasing stories of inventors and entrepreneurs who transformed American life. From pioneering safety improvements in river travel to contributions that aided hist…
David Wiley, a seasoned USPTO official with extensive experience in patent examination and agency management, currently serves as Acting Deputy Commissioner. He oversees critical technology centers and agency functions, including training, statistics, and stakeholder outreach, contributing to the advancement of patent…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued an updated memorandum on best practices for submitting Rule 132 Subject Matter Eligibility Declarations (SMEDs). The revision incorporates practitioner feedback, offers expanded guidance on 35 U.S.C. § 101 submissions, and announces Barry J. Schindler’s appointm…
The USPTO has announced that registration is now open for the third and final session of its Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) spring listening series, titled “PTAB Administration and Reform.” Scheduled for May 18, 2026, the session will feature expert panels discussing strategies to improve the Board’s efficiency…
The USPTO Office of Human Resources is offering a live presentation and interactive Q&A on May 26 from 1 to 1:30 p.m. ET for individuals interested in applying to become patent examiners. Attendees can engage directly with OHR staff to clarify application procedures and gain insights to strengthen their submissions. T…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will host a hybrid USPTO Hour on April 29 from noon to 1 p.m. ET, focusing on the agency’s initiatives to drive artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and utilize AI tools in support of its mission. Robert Hayes, Acting Chief AI & Data Officer and Senior Advisor t…
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