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Statement during prosecution not a clear and unmistakable disavowal, no prosecution disclaimer

In a decision yesterday, the Federal Circuit partially reversed a district court's summary judgment of noninfringement of a patent directed to closed circuit television systems. In granting summary judgment, the district court held that the doctrine of prosecution disclaimer limited the scope of the claims, finding the inventors characterized the invention narrowly in response to […]

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Seventh Circuit: $70,000 in attorney fees affirmed for copyright and trademark appeal

Back in March, we wrote about a copyright and trademark case involving a novelty doll, "Pull My Finger Fred." In the case's previous trip to the Seventh Circuit, the court affirmed a verdict of copyright and trademark infringement, $291,000 in damages, and $575,000 in attorneys' fees. Now the parties are back, this time disputing the […]

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Triangular opening not equivalent to vertical slit; summary judgment of no infringement affirmed

Today the Federal Circuit affirmed a district court's determination that the patent claim term "closeable vertical opening" required a slit-like shape that is perpendicular to the pan of the horizon instead of simply an opening with a shape that is taller than it is wide. Further, the court found that an accused product which creates […]

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Sixth Circuit: No evidence of license, no contributory copyright infringement

In a decision last week, the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment of no copyright infringement. At issue was whether a record company, Universal, granted a license to others to perform a Snoop Dogg song – "Change Gone Come" – that allegedly infringed an earlier work by the P-Funk All Stars, […]

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Eleventh Circuit: Insufficient evidence of likely confusion dooms 43(a) claim

In a decision last week, the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court's decision granting summary judgment of no trademark infringement and no unfair competition. The plaintiff and defendant had entered into a contract for the plaintiff to design a water meter reading system. After the plaintiff allegedly breached the contract, the defendant engaged different companies […]

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First wave of amicus briefs filed in Quanta v. LG, argument set for January 16

Earlier this month, amicus briefs either supporting the Petitioner or neither party were filed with the Supreme Court in connection with Quanta Computer, Inc. v. LG Electronics, Inc (No. 06-937). Our previous coverage of the case can be found in these three posts. The Court also set oral argument for January 16, 2008. Some discussion […]

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Federal Circuit grants rehearing en banc in design patent case

The Federal Circuit today granted a petition for rehearing en banc in a design patent case, Egyptian Goddess, Inc. v. Swisa, Inc. In that case, the court held that when a design patent's "point of novelty" is a combination of existing design elements, the point of novelty must be a "non-trivial" advance over the prior […]

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Jury verdict finding Microsoft’s product activation systems infringed two patents affirmed

In a decision Friday, the Federal Circuit affirmed a district court's finding of infringement and no invalidity of patents relating to the reduction of software piracy. At issue was a finding of non-infringement based on the claim construction of claim limitations found in patents held by z4 Technologies. In affirming the district court decision, the […]

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Allegedly false statements insufficient to warrant setting aside judgment under Rule 60(b)(3)

In a decision yesterday, the Federal Circuit affirmed a district court's decision denying a motion to set aside a judgment under Rule 60(b)(3) on charges of fraud. In an earlier litigation, a patent was invalidated under § 102(g) as previously invented by another. That decision was affirmed on appeal.More than a year later, new evidence […]

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USPTO releases 2007 annual report, Patent Reform Act to be considered in January?

The USPTO has released its 2007 Performance and Accountability Report. Here are a few highlights: Average time for first office action (patent): 25.3 months Average total application pendency (patent): 31.9 months Percent of patent applications filed electronically: 49.3% Average time for first office action (trademark): 2.9 months Average total application pendency (trademark): 15.1 months Percent […]

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