IP News

IP News

Can a Later-Filed Patent Ground an ODP Rejection? USPTO ARP Reviews PTAB’s Allergan Reading in Ex Parte Baurin

On April 9, 2026, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published amicus briefs filed in Ex Parte Baurin, a proce...
IP News

CAFC Holds ‘X Dot’ Vape Mark Not Confusingly Similar to Cigar’s ‘X’ Trademark in Precedential Ruling

On April 9, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) issued a precedential decision affirming the ...
IP News

Federal Circuit: Unreachable Coinventor = Invalid Patent—Strict Construction of 35 U.S.C. Section 256(b) in Fortress Iron v. Digger Specialties

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit solidified patent law on April 2, 2026: when a coinventor cannot be lo...
IP News

European Patent Office Implements 5% Fee Increase Effective April 1—Reflects Surge in AI and Semiconductor Filings

The European Patent Office implemented official fee increases effective April 1, 2026, marking its first substantial rev...
IP News

Huawei Leads Wi-Fi 7 Patent Race—Commanding SEP Position Across Consumer Electronics

Huawei Leads Wi-Fi 7 Patent Race—Commanding SEP Position Across Consumer ElectronicsA 2026 patent analytics study reveal...
IP News

Five AI Leaders Launch Shared AI License Foundation (SAIL) with 33,000 Foundation Model Patents

Five AI Leaders Launch Shared AI License Foundation (SAIL) with 33,000 Foundation Model PatentsAnthropic, IBM, Meta, Mic...
IP News

U.S. Justice Department Supports SEP Holder in Samsung-Netlist FRAND Dispute — Antitrust Violation Does Not Follow From Breach of Licensing Obligation

The DOJ files statement of interest in Samsung's antitrust counterclaims against Netlist, drawing a critical legal distinction between FRAND breach and antitrust liability. Implications for SEP licensing strategy and future tech industry disputes.
IP News

USPTO’s IPR Institution Rate Crisis — Plummeting from 65% to 37% in Seven Months

The USPTO's Inter Partes Review institution rate has collapsed from approximately 65% in October 2024 to 37% by February 2026. Director Squires' policy shifts fundamentally reshape patent litigation strategy. What patent holders and challengers need to know.
IP News

Amazon’s Spring 2026 Robotics Research Call — How External Funding Programs Feed a Patent Intake Cycle Built Since the Kiva Acquisition

An analysis of Amazon's Spring 2026 Robotics Research Awards call. Examining the 28-fold expansion of Amazon's warehouse automation patent portfolio since the Kiva acquisition and the structural role external research funding plays as an IP intake mechanism.
IP News

USPTO Patent Assignment Data Feed Down for Nearly 60 Days, Disrupting IP Transactions Globally

The USPTO's patent assignment data feed has been unavailable for approximately 60 days as of April 7, 2026, according to...