Nintendo Secures Key Gameplay Patents, Expanding IP Control Over Core Mechanics By Sarah M.D. Luth In September 2025, Nintendo obtained two significant U.S. patents that represent a growing trend in how game developers protect intellectual property in gameplay systems. The first patent, U.S. Patent 12,409,387, covers riding and flying mechanics that allow players to more seamlessly transition on, off, and between riding objects. Nintendo obtained U.S. Patent 12,403,397, which protects […] Continue Reading →
Considerations for Patent Continuations and Divisionals By Luke T. Mohrhauser Patent applications are often drafted very early during the development of a system, method, or apparatus. This could be during the development of a new or upcoming product offering, or iterative improvements to existing products. There can be conflicting considerations in (1) covering the new development, while also (2) disclosing as broadly as possible […] Continue Reading →
Rethinking Patent Dispute Strategy: Mediation in Life Sciences By Cassie J. Edgar Patent disputes at the intersection of science and law, such as in agriculture and health care, have always carried unique weight. They involve inventions that impact food security, patient outcomes, regulatory timelines, and billion-dollar markets. Litigation is a main option for resolution, but increasingly companies are turning to structured settlement processes designed specifically for complex […] Continue Reading →
USPTO Seeking to Leverage Artificial Intelligence to Assist with Patent Examination By Joseph M. Hallman In a world where the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more prevalent by the day, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is planning to utilize AI for patent examination purposes. On June 4, 2025, the USPTO published a Request for Information (RFI) via SAM.gov, which is the System for Award Management and […] Continue Reading →
Updates on Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court Utilization in Europe – Part 2 By Jill N. Link, Pharm.D. We previously provided an overview of the Unitary Patent as an option to replace the national validation process of a granted Europe patent for participating member states, as well as some commentary on the utilization of the Unitary Patent since its June 1, 2023 inception. In this post, the role of the Unified Patent Court […] Continue Reading →
Patent Panic Button: Why CRISPR Titans are Revoking Their Own Patents By Cassie J. Edgar Gene editing technology has revolutionized molecular biology, offering unprecedented precision in genetic modifications and a lighter regulatory pathway compared to conventional transgenic approaches. However, the intellectual property landscape surrounding CRISPR has historically been overshadowed with disputes and unexpected developments. A recent and notable twist is the self-revocation of two seminal European patents by the team led by […] Continue Reading →
Does Elon Musk Have Access To Your Patent Application? By Heidi Sease Nebel Under 37 CFR § 1.14 United States Patent applications are preserved in confidence until published, which, by statue is 18 months from the priority date. All of our most sensitive data, new inventions and latest developments in artificial intelligence, engineering, healthcare and technology, safely housed within the USPTO without public access until access is granted […] Continue Reading →
Pura Vida for the European Patent Office By Gregory Lars Gunnerson On December 13, 2024, the European Patent Office President António Campinos welcomed a delegation from Costa Rica, led by the Minister of Justice and Peace Gerald Campos Valverde, for the signing of a landmark validation agreement. Costa Rica is the seventh country to sign a validation agreement with the EPO, following Morocco, Moldova, Tunisia, Cambodia, […] Continue Reading →
USPTO Issues Patent Fee Changes for 2025 By Andrew J. Morgan In its final rule issued on November 20, 2024, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued changes to set or increase certain patent fees. The revised fees will take effect on January 19, 2025. There will not be a new fee for After Final Consideration Pilot 2.0 requests as was proposed, nor will […] Continue Reading →
Leveraging Free Online Tools for DIY Patent Searches: A Guide for Garage Inventors By You’ve got an invention—now what? Protecting your work may be the next step, but perhaps you’re unfamiliar with the patent system, don’t know any patent attorneys, or don’t really want to reach out for fear of incurring attorney’s fees. Below I provide two free resources for checking to see if it is worth your time […] Continue Reading →