Glaxo files reply brief in support of preliminary injunction, more amici join the fray
Today Glaxo filed its reply brief in support of its motion for preliminary injunction to stop implementation of the new continuation and claim limit rules. The brief pays particular attention to the public interest and balance of harms factors in the preliminary injunction analysis, and then responds to the USPTO's arguments regarding likelihood of success […]
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USPTO files opposition to Glaxo’s motion for preliminary injunction against new rules
Apparently the government's lawyers had a long weekend, because on Sunday, the USPTO filed its opposition to Glaxo's motion for preliminary injunction against the new claim and continuation limit rules. Included with the opposition were a whopping 34 attachments making up 7 exhibits. The USPTO makes the expected arguments. First, it argues that it is […]
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AIPLA seeks leave to file amicus brief supporting Glaxo in its challenge to the new USPTO rules
Today the American Intellectual Property Law Association filed a motion for leave to file an brief as amicus curiae in support of Glaxo's motion for preliminary injunction to enjoin implementation of the USPTO's new claim and continuation limit rules. The proposed brief is specifically directed toward the irreparable harm that would result if the rules […]
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Fourth Circuit holds law prohibiting federal registration of Montana state nickname valid
In a decision Wednesday, the Fourth Circuit reversed a district court's decision finding a portion of a 2006 law invalid. The portion, a rider attached to an appropriations bill, prohibited any trademark registrations of a nickname of the state of Montana, "The Last Best Place." The Fourth Circuit reversed, holding that the law valid and […]
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Waiver of immunity in earlier case does not operate as waiver in later case involving same patent
In a decision Tuesday, the Federal Circuit affirmed a district court's decision that a state had not waived its Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity. The state had intervened in an earlier, related action, but that action was subsequently dismissed for improper venue. The court held that while the state waived its immunity in the first suit […]
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Coalition against the Patent Reform Act of 2007 gets bigger: 430 join in Senate opposition letter
In May, it was a coalition of over 100 companies and organizations sending a letter to House and Senate leadership of both parties expressing opposition to the Patent Reform Act of 2007 (H.R. 1908 & S. 1145). By June, the group grew to over 200 companies and organizations, and they wrote another letter to the […]
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Dramatic change in UK trademark policy; Australia eliminates obligation to disclose search reports
There have been two interesting changes in foreign IP practice over the past month. Effective October 1, 2007, the UK Trade Marks Office changed its policy such that it will no longer raise objections to applications based on prior existing applications/registrations. Instead, it will be the policy to write to owners of earlier potentially conflicting […]
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Senate Judiciary committee to hold hearings about federally-funded university research and patents
On Wednesday at 1:30 eastern time, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold hearings entitled "The Role of Federally-Funded University Research in the Patent System." Those testifying will be: Arti K. Rai, professor, Duke University School of Law (testimony) Elizabeth Hoffman, Executive Vice President and Provost, Iowa State University (testimony) Robert Weissman, Director, Essential Action (testimony) […]
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USPTO moves to strike former USPTO director’s declaration supporting Glaxo’s PI motion
On Friday, the USPTO filed a motion to strike the declaration of Harry F. Manbeck, Jr. in support of Glaxo's motion for a preliminary injunction barring implementation of the USPTO's new claim and continuation limit rules, claiming it constitutes improper expert testimony and impermissibly augments the administrative record in the case. Why is this interesting? […]
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Sixth Circuit: ratio of punitive to compensatory damages too great in copyright case
In a decision Wednesday, the Sixth Circuit affirmed in part and reversed in part a district court judgment awarding $366,939 in compensatory damages, $3.5 million in punitive damages, and $150,000 in statutory damages (to a second plaintiff) in a copyright infringement case. The case was brought against the music publishers behind The Notorious B.I.G. album […]
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