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Does Spotify Owe You Money? Streaming Service Sued for $150 Million in Unpaid Royalties

David Lowery, the frontman of Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, has recently filed a class action lawsuit seeking at least $150 million dollars in damages against Spotify. Lowry alleges Spotify knowingly, willingly, and unlawfully reproduces and distributes copyrighted compositions without obtaining mechanical licenses. According to the complaint, which was filed December 28th in the Central […]

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Streamlined, Expedited Patent Appeal Program for Small Entities Announced by USPTO

As of September 18, 2015, small or micro entities with only a single ex parte appeal pending before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) will be able to expedite review of their appeal in exchange for streamlining the process. According to the information provided on the USPTO website, the criteria for qualification for this […]

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Patent Office Extends After Final Consideration Pilot Program

The After Final Consideration Pilot (AFCP 2.0) program provides patent applicants at the USPTO with the opportunity to address issues that may remain in an application after a final rejection has issued. The AFCP 2.0 program is something of an exception to typical procedure, wherein a patent examiner has considerable discretion as to whether to […]

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MVS Biotech and Chemical Group Renews Membership in Iowa Biotech Association

The Iowa Biotechnology Association–the state affiliate organization of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)–was founded in 1994 to unify Iowa’s bioscience industry, academic research institutions and economic development organizations. BIO is a national organization representing more than 1,000 biotech companies, academic institutions, state biotech centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other […]

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Innovation Promotion Act Would Mean Income Deductions for Patents

Currently tax law does not permit deductions or other preferential tax rules for income derived from intellectual property. Proposed tax reforms consider changing this. On July 29th the House Ways and Means Committee members Charles Boustany (R-LA) and Richard Neal (D-MA) released a legislative proposal for public comment outlining the Innovation Promotion Act that would, in […]

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White House Calls for Modernization of Biotechnology Regulations

Biotechnological innovation is potentially subject to a variety of governmental regulations. For example, therapeutics for disease treatment or prevention in humans are subject to review and approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Innovations relating to crops or livestock may be subject to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, the regulations promulgated by these governmental agencies are […]

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USPTO Announces Expedited Patent Appeal Program

On June 15, 2015, the USPTO announced in a Federal Register Notice that they will be commencing the Expedited Patent Appeal Pilot Program. This initial program will be available until either 2,000 ex parte patent appeals are expedited under the program, or until June 20, 2016, whichever occurs first. Typically, appeals are taken up by […]

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Blurred Lines in Copyright Law Following ‘Blurred Lines’ Jury Verdict

Under the Copyright Act of 1909, a work was protected when it was published with the notice of copyright protection. Although changed by the Copyright Act of 1976, releasing a sound recording of a composition under the 1909 act (i.e., musical notes and lyrics) did not constitute “publication”of a musical work. Thus, for musical works […]

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Michelle Lee Confirmed as USPTO Director

The Senate on Monday confirmed the White House’s nominee for the long-vacant director position at the USPTO. Director Lee had been serving as Deputy Director and acting Director for over a year, pending the nomination process. Director Lee takes over for former-Director Kappos, who left the position in February 2013. The confirmation has been both […]

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Alternative Patent Reform Legislation Proposed in Senate

Even though the America Invents Act is just over 3 years old, patent reform legislation has arisen on several occasions over the past years. The most visible legislative efforts have involved the “Innovation Act” proposed by Senator Goodlatte in 2013, and again in 2015. The version of the Innovation Act introduced in 2013 stalled out […]

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