November 2007

The system of patents is subjected to continuous changes in its philosophy and in its purview. The invention of new technologies is always a test for the system of patents. The objective of the patent law is to encourage and promote research and development of new innovations and technologies, had its implications on patenting many

The evolution of genetic science promises the power to transform humanity. While the geneticists offer to cure the world of all its problems, the commons view the field with caution because of its interface with life. Though the benefits offered by the field seem to be unlimited, genetics as field is nascent and uncertain. The

Claimants who have successfully proved liability in an action for patent infringement, either actual or anticipated, are entitled to elect their remedy. Successful litigants will discover that the measure of the award for compensation may vary widely depending upon their election between damages and an account of profits.

News items flooding from our daily information sources on patents, company law suits, intellectual property rights, and the like would make one believe that the system of patenting is quite young. On the contrary, history of patenting dates back to more than five hundred years.

In recent years, there has been an extensive boost in technological concepts related to electronics and electrical domain. Electronic engineering is a constantly changing and widening branch of technology. Electronics and semiconductor engineering is one of the largest and fastest growing industries. This growth has entailed a wide range of patent filing, all through. Electronics

I. The Benefits of Timely Recognizing a Potential Interference Timely recognizing a potential interference allows your client to act before certain legal and business options are foreclosed. Failing to request an interference within one year of the issuance of the target patent bars your client (1) from obtaining an interference and (2) from obtaining patent

1. It would be useful to all of you to have a better understanding of the requirements relating to proof of date of invention in patent interferences in order to understand the issues relating to electronic notebooks. First, keep in mind that a date of actual invention is now only relevant in the United States

I. Introduction My colleague Grover Rutter (see his article in this edition) has presented an excellent review of how to treat patents from a financial and tax reporting standpoint. However, how do you determine the real value of a patent? That begs the question: What factors are relevant to the real value of a patent?

I. Introduction This paper explains the basic information a decision maker needs to know regarding patents. There are certain concepts the understanding of which is a prerequisite for this topic. Those concepts are provided in section II. Section III relates patents to countries. Sections IV and V explain the legal requirements for getting patents and

– YES! – United States laws provide restrictions on exporting “technical data” outside the U.S. Obtaining a license to export that data through conventional channels may be time consuming and relatively expensive. A patent application can rapidly and inexpensively effect a license to export certain “technical data”. U.S. patent laws and regulations provide for such

SUMMARY OF OPINION In this case, the Supreme Court split the differences between the District Court and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The Supreme Court summarized the prior proceedings as follows:

I. Background The U.S. mask work registration law was first enacted in 1984. Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984, 17 U.S.C. §§ 901-14 (“SCPA”). The SCPA was enacted in the early days of IC fabrication in response to certain identified acts of IC copying. However, until very recently, mask work registrations in the U.S. were